Q: Could you please tell me if Barcelona has any Christmas lights / markets etc. during December?

A: There are many activities on in Barcelona during the Christmas period. Although there are Christmas lights in some of the streets like Carrer Ferran and Portal de l´Angel  and on La Rambla they are nothing to write home about.  El Corte Ingles (large department store) in Placa Catalunya entrance has an impressive display of lights each year.   I have included a link to  a few photos of the Christmas lights below.

In terms of markets on the weeks leading up to Christmas there are little market stalls all around the Cathedral selling Christmas items and gifts. These stalls pop up like mushrooms all around this area at Christmas time and add a real sense of Christmas to the whole city centre.

Another popular location to visit during Christmas is Placa de St Jaume square where you will find a nativity display each year at Christmas. This is a very large and popular display and can be quite large taking up a good section of the square itself.

Here are a few links to articles we have writen on Christmas lights and markets:

Christmas Lights in Barcelona
Christmas Markets in Barcelona

For general articles on Barcelona and Christmas I recommend you visit the following links:

Hotels offering Cheap rooms during Christmas and New Year´s in Barcelona
Overview to Christmas in Barcelona
Christmas Cultural Traditions in Barcelona - interview with local Catalan family in Barcelona about Christmas..
Night Clubs Open For New Year´s - Popular Barcelona Night Clubs offering New Year events.
Nativity displays in Barcelona city centre - See where the Nativities are and what they have to offer.
Christmas family activities in Barcelona  - Activities for families in Barcelona during Christmas and new year´s.
Feast of the Immaculate conception Outline to the feast of the Immaculate conception - find out what´s on.
Main attractions opening hours   - Links to the official websites for the main Barcelona attractions.
Official holidays in Barcelona - List of all official and public holidays in Barcelona.
Restaurants open during Xmas in Barcelona  - Find out which restaurants keeps their doors open during the festive season.


A few Photos of Christmas in Barcelona city centre