Visiting Barcelona this winter? Be sure to stop by our famous holiday markets, full of gifts, food, entertainment, light shows, and parades the whole family will love. We’re here to help you get into the holiday spirit with five of our favorites.
1. Fira Santa Llúcia Christmas Market
Perhaps Barcelona’s most-popular market, Fira de Santa Llúcia provides hours of festive entertainment with Christmas-themed games, parades, concerts, food, and artisan vendors. And because it’s the largest and oldest in all of the city, Fira de Santa Llúcia promises an unforgettable experience. The market’s four sectors include space dedicated to nativity scene figurines, candles, and Christmas decoration, natural and artificial greenery, the ever-so-comical tió logs, DIY decorations, and traditional Christmas instruments. Fira Santa Llúcia is open seven days a week through December 24th from 10:30am–10:30pm at Avenida de la Catedral in the Gothic District.
2. Catalunya Square Christmas Fair
Plaça de Catalunya Christmas Fair is best-known for its subdivision (still located on the premise), the Responsible Consumption Fair, which sells sustainable and fair-trade food and gifts to both celebrate the holiday season and give back to the planet. Plaça de Catalunya also features family-oriented activities, an incredible display of lights, and an illuminated water fountain. Hosted in the Plaza Catalunya, it runs from December 22nd until January 4th from 10:00am–9:00pm.
3. Three Kings Fair at Gran Via Street
Perfect for stocking up on gifts, Fira de Reis a la Gran Via (Three Kings Fair) offers one of the largest assortment of toys, including traditional Reyes trinkets and treats such as carbon de azucar (candy coal). Spanning from Gran Via Street to Muntaner and Calabria, this largescale fair is also lined with over 100 market stalls full of food and handmade goods. Be sure to stop by between December 19th and January 6th from 11am–10pm.
4. Sagrada Família Christmas Market
Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Família offers the best of both worlds: Taking in the view of Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Família, and knocking out holiday shopping in one fell swoop. The market itself is located just outside the cathedral, featuring hundreds of stalls full of Christmas trees, traditional figurines, toys, gifts, homemade food, and craft supplies. Children can also pay a visit to Santa Claus and leave behind letters in return for balloons and cookies. This fair runs through December 23rd from 10am–10pm. Buy tickets ahead of time to skip the line!
5. Ribera Craft Market
Perfect for escaping the crowd, Mostra d’Artesans de la Ribera is located in the Born area on a narrow street with a cozy atmosphere and dimly lit lanterns. Although this market is open year round, we prefer to stop by during the holiday season as its many boutiques and independent vendors dish out festive gifts and dress up their stalls and shops with impressive Christmas displays. The goods are also of high quality, including handmade jewelry, scarves, ornaments, and clothing. The market is open day and night, but hours vary depending on each independent shop and stall.
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