What better way to dive into the Catalan Christmas spirit than by exploring the Christmas markets in and around Barcelona?
From pooping logs (yes, you heard that right) to famous faces turned into quirky figurines, our Christmas markets have their own unique charm. They might not be as massive as the markets in other European Christmas meccas, like Strasbourg or Cologne, but the festive atmosphere is just as magical. Plus, we promise you’ll find decorations here that you won’t see anywhere else!
We’ve put together a list of the best markets in and around Barcelona to help you discover all the Catalan Christmas oddities (if you’re new to these, read this guide. Laughs guaranteed!).
* Post written for the first time in November 2021 and updated in October 2024.
Christmas markets in Barcelona
Markets spring up all across the city at the end of November and usually stay until the beginning of January. The following are the ones we like the most:
Fira de Santa Llúcia
Located in front of Barcelona’s Cathedral, you’ll find Fira de Santa Llúcia. This is the main (and oldest) Christmas market in the Catalan capital, celebrated since 1786.
On it, you’ll find a good range of stalls offering Christmas decorations, handmade crafts, Christmas trees, mistletoes, and the traditional simbomba (a drum-like instrument).
The market starts on the 24th of Nov and finishes on the 23rd of Dec. Opening hours are from 10 am until 9 pm.
Fira del Port Vell
Fira del Port Vell is Barcelona’s newest Christmas market, and you’ll find it camped near the Christopher Columbus statue.
Get lost among the beautiful wooden stalls, try winter delicacies, or take a look at the floating nativity scene. This is also the place to jump on a Ferris wheel and enjoy great views of Barcelona and its port.
In addition, this market boasts the tallest Christmas tree installed in Catalonia! It’s 31 m tall and all lit up with LED lights.
The market runs from the 29th of Nov until the 6th of Jan. The fair is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família
From the 28th of Nov to the 23rd of Dec, the square in front of Sagrada Família transforms into a Christmas market. Celebrated since 1962, this fira boosts a traditional atmosphere. It’s slightly smaller than Fira de Santa Llúcia and has more of a local feel to it.
In addition to Christmas decorations (including the well-known defecating figurine of the caganer and all his celebrity versions!), you’ll also find beautifully crafted stalls selling xurros, traditional Christmas food, and high-quality handicrafts.
On the 22nd of December (from 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm), Santa Claus pays a visit to the market to collect letters from children and hand out balloons and sweets.
This market is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
Fira de Reis de la Gran Via
Some 300 market stalls offer children’s toys, traditional gifts, xurros, and hot chocolate in the heart of the buzzing city centre.
The market receives its name because it takes place along various sections of the well-known street Gran Via (mostly between Carrer Calabria and Carrer Comte d’Urgell).
As you might be aware, the main day for giving and receiving presents in Catalonia is Kings Day, which is the 6th of Jan. The presents are not delivered by Santa Claus but by the Three Magic Kings. Hence, the first part of the name of this market.
Fira de Reis runs from the 17th of Dec until the 6th of Jan. Opening times are from 10 am to 9 pm from Sunday to Friday and 10 am to 10 pm on Saturdays.
Christmas markets near Barcelona
Fira de Nadal i del Torró Artesà de Cardedeu
📍 Location: Cardedeu (50 min by car and train from Barcelona)
If there’s one product that’s present in all Catalan Christmas meals, this is torró (nougat). And if there’s an ideal place to enjoy this dessert, this is the Fira de Nadal i del Torró Artesà de Cardedeu. The market takes place in Cardadeu during the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Dec.
You’ll be spoilt for choice: not only you’ll be able to try the classic torrons, but also inventive recipes. One of the most famous is the torró artesà de borrego de Cardedeu, created in 2000 and made of marzipan and cumin. Asking for it will be an exciting challenge, but your tummy will surely thank you!
Besides this dessert, there are stalls with Christmas decorations and typical Christmas goods.
Fira de Nadal de Caldes de Montbui
📍 Location: Caldes de Montbui (40 min by car and bus (line e9) from Barcelona)
If a dish of escudella (a Christmas soup we eat in Catalonia) is already mouth-watering, imagine one cooked with thermal water and firewood. This happens in Caldes de Montbui, a village famous for its thermal baths and hot springs.
During Christmas time, neighbours from the village cook the biggest pot of Christmas broth in Catalonia! They use two giant pots of 1.5 m in diameter, where they cook 1.600 L of broth in each. So, they end up with 3.000 L of broth! Isn’t this just crazy!?
If you want to taste it, head to the Fira de Nadal de Caldes de Montbui between the 5th and the 8th of Dec.
Besides this gastronomic incentive, you’ll also find handmade gifts, tree decorations, and traditional food.
Fira de l’Avet d’Espinelves
📍 Location: Espinelves (1 h 15 min by car from Barcelona)
If you want to see lots of fir trees, you can either go to the forest or Fira de l’Avet d’Espinelves. For over 35 years, this has been the reference market in Catalonia for buying Christmas trees, with more than 4.000 fir trees sold each year!
Not only will you find Christmas trees there, but also stalls selling local food, winter products, and handicrafts.
The market takes place in Espinelves, a small charming village surrounded by the Montseny mountains, from the 30th of Nov to the 8th of Dec.
⚠️ Important!
It’s difficult to reach Espinelves by public transport from Barcelona, so the best option is to go there by car. However, Espinelves is a small village, and there are usually quite a lot of people during the Christmas market, so finding a spot to park the car (especially on public holidays and weekends) can be tricky.
Fira del Pessebre d’Olot
📍 Location: Olot (1 h 40 min by car and 2 h by bus from Barcelona)
Figures, figures, and more figures. That’s what you’ll find in this beautiful open-air Christmas market. From the 6th to the 8th of Dec, the streets of Olot (a city an hour from Girona) get dressed with Christmas lights and wood stalls selling pooping logs, Christmas trees, and figures for the pessebre (the representation of the nativity scene).
To make it more Christmassy, you can practise your skating skills in the ice ring located in Olot’s city centre.
If you happen to go to Fira del Pessebre d’Olot, you can also visit the live nativity scene in Santa Pau, a small village 9 km from Olot. On the 6th and 7th of Dec at 7 pm, you can enjoy the representation of almost twenty scenes from the Bible.
⚠️ Important!
If you plan on visiting the live nativity scene in Santa Pau, you must buy tickets online in advance.
Fira del Tió de Solsona
📍 Location: Solsona (1 h 36 min by car and 2 h by bus from Barcelona)
This Christmas market takes place in the beautiful town of Solsona, located 1 hour and a half from Barcelona.
What’s really cool about the Fira del Tió in Solsona is that the Tió, our beloved pooping log, is the main protagonist. Yup, this market is all about pooping logs!
You’ll find authentic logs from the woods of the region. But also handmade shepherd’s sticks to hit the Tió and make him poop.
If you’re looking to know more about this fun (and crazy) tradition, head to Solsona on the 7th of Dec!
Things to take into account when visiting Christmas markets in and near Barcelona
We’ve just mentioned the most peculiar and prominent markets in Barcelona and its surroundings. But besides those, there are usually smaller Christmas markets in most of Catalonia’s cities and villages.
Here are a few tips to make your experience smoother:
🗓️ We know it’s not always possible, but if you can, we highly recommend visiting Christmas markets on weekdays. You’ll find fewer people, especially at midday. We also recommend avoiding public holidays (6th, 8th and 25th of Dec and 6th of Jan).
🚗 If you’re travelling to a Christmas market by car, take into account that parking spots are sometimes limited, especially in small villages. We recommend getting there early to secure a spot and travelling by public transport if possible!
💶 Final tip: Bring some cash. We’re sure you’ll be able to pay by card in most of the stalls, but it’s always a good idea to have some cash with you. We don’t want you to find your favourite Tió and won’t be able to buy it!
That’s it from our side! We hope you enjoy the Christmassy atmosphere of these markets, taste some traditional food, and find a caganer to level up your nativity scene!
More Christmas inspiration
Are you coming to Barcelona and Catalonia during Christmas? Then, these guides will help you plan your trip:
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