December in Barcelona means blue winter skies, Christmas decorations, and cosy vibes. It’s a great time to visit, with fewer tourists than in summer and prices lower than other popular winter destinations.
The sun shines and is usually warmer than in other European cities, making it the perfect escape if you’re looking for a break from the harsh winter cold.
Also, if you’re after some festive fun, you’re in luck! The streets are lit up with Christmas lights, and there are several Christmas markets around the city.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite things to do in Barcelona in December to help you plan your trip. Keep reading for all the details!
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
Yes! While it’s technically winter, Barcelona’s winters are very different from other cities. The sun often shines, the skies are blue, and during the day, you might even find yourself stripping down to a T-shirt while enjoying a drink on a terrace!
We actually prefer this time of year over August, when the heat is unbearable, and the city is packed with tourists.
Also, despite the usual things to do, like visiting Gaudí’s masterpieces or eating delicious tapas, you’ll also be able to enjoy charming Christmas markets and strolls under the beautiful Christmas lights that decorate the cities’ streets.
⚠️ Important!
Keep in mind that Dec 6 and Dec 8 are public holidays in Catalonia. So, you can find more people in the streets than usual, and some shops and restaurants are closed.
The weather in Barcelona in December
Winter in Barcelona is cool, pleasant, and manageable, unlike the harsh winters you may find across the rest of Europe. You don’t need to rush into a cafeteria cause you’re freezing. Instead, the weather is ideal for sightseeing.
🌡 Temperatures
The average high during the day is 15ºC (59ºF), so you don’t need thick wool jumpers or warm-down jackets. At night, temperatures are lower, with an average low of 9ºC (48ºF), so you’ll need a jacket then.
Mornings and evenings tend to be cool, but afternoons are mild and pleasant.
☔️ Rain and Snow
With only three days of rain in Barcelona in December, you can forget your umbrella at home. Also, it’s very unlikely that it will snow in Barcelona in December. Well, it’s very unlikely to see snow at any time of the year!
☀️ Hours of light
During December, the days are the shortest of the year. The average day in Barcelona during December has nine hours of daylight.
Sunrise is around 8 am, and sunset is around 5:20 pm. So, it’s the best time to enjoy the sunrise and sunset! The sun rises two hours later than usual and sets two hours earlier. So, forget about waking up super early or staying up after dinner!
What to pack for a trip to Barcelona in December
👖 Clothing
A helpful rule of thumb is packing layers. During the day, it’s hot enough to wear a T-shirt and long pants or skirts. But it can be cool in the evening, so it’s wise to pack sweaters, a coat or jacket. Bonus points if they are lightweight, so you don’t mind carrying them around when it gets warm.
Although it’s December, it’s usually sunny in Barcelona, so we recommend packing a pair of sunglasses.
👟 Footwear
Regarding shoes, sneakers or boots are a great option.
Bring the appropriate footwear (hiking shoes or boots) if you plan to go hiking in or near Barcelona, like Montserrat.
What’s on in Barcelona in December
Enjoy the city’s Christmas markets
While Barcelona can’t compete in terms of Christmas markets with other European Christmas meccas, like Strasbourg or Cologne, you’ll still feel the festive atmosphere all around.
The city is home to several Christmas markets, the most important one being Fira de Santa Llúcia in front of the Gothic Cathedral. But there’s also an important one in the harbour, right next to Sagrada Família and across the Gran Via street.
The markets sell some food and artisan crafts, but they mostly focus on typical Christmas decorations. So it’s the perfect opportunity to get yourself a caganer (the squatting peasant) or a Tió (the log kids beat with a stick so it pops presents).
For more info on the markets’ location, dates and what to expect, take a look at our “Christmas markets in Catalonia” guide.
📚 Read next
If you want to know more about our weird Christmas traditions, you can read our “Catalan Christmas traditions: A local’s guide to our quirky customs” guide. Fun is guaranteed!
Dress up and go for… a swim! (25th Dec)
After eating A LOT on Christmas Eve, some Catalans need to exercise and make room in their stomach before feasting on Christmas Day.
And what better way to do so than by joining a swimming race?
Copa Nadal (Christmas’ Thropy) is a 200-m swimming race that has been going on in Barcelona’s harbour for a looong time. This year is, in fact, the 115th edition, making it the oldest open-water race in Spain.
Expect cold water and lots of people dressed up as Santa Claus!
Stroll under the Christmas lights (28th Nov to 7th Jan)
From the end of November until the beginning of January, you can enjoy a magical atmosphere in Barcelona.
There’s nothing like walking through the city while admiring the lights that decorate the main streets! Our favourite ones are Passeig de Gràcia, Gran Via, Portal de l’Àngel, and Via Laietana.
This year, there will also be various giant illuminated Christmas figures scattered throughout the city. If you want to see some of them without moving from the city centre, you can head to each end of La Rambla, at the junction between the streets of Mallorca and Villaroel, and at the two ends of the street Pi i Margall in the district of Gràcia.
The lights are on from 5:30 pm to 1 am (Sun to Thur) and 5:30 pm to 2 am (Fri, Sat and public holidays).
Admire more Christmas lights in Sant Pau (21st Nov to 12th Jan)
If, after strolling through the streets decorated with Christmas lights, you’re still craving more Christmas magic, then head to Sant Pau.
This former hospital is a jewel of Catalan modernist architecture, and during the Christmas season, it turns into a light and colour show worth seeing. The place itself is beautiful, but we love it even more when it is decorated with thousands of lights!
So, this is a perfect occasion to both visit a UNESCO heritage site and spend a Christmassy day in Barcelona.
👌 Our tip
We highly recommend buying tickets online in advance.
Listen to a Christmas Concert illuminated by candlelight
If you want a unique and memorable experience, we highly recommend going to a candlelight concert in some of the city’s most emblematic spots.
This is one of our favourite activities to do in Barcelona, and we’ve already attended more than five concerts!
The tickets cost between 15 and 45 €, but they’re worth every penny. Not only are the locations incredible, but the concerts are played by flickering candlelight. Just sit, relax with the soft glow of candlelight, and get carried away by the music.
There are various Christmas-themed ones this year:
- Christmas classics: This concert takes place in the incredible Cripta Gaudí, one of Gaudí’s first masterpieces, on the 13th and 20th of Dec (7 and 9 pm). You’ll hear classics like “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, “Let It Snow!” and “Santa Claus Is Comin To Town.”
- Christmas soundtracks: This concert takes place in the Reial Cercle Artístic de Barcelona, a famed art circle founded in the 1880s, on the 21st and 22nd of Dec (6, 8 and 10 pm). You’ll hear classics like “Love Is All Around”, “It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas” and “Last Christmas.”
Go ice skating
Ice skating is one of our favourite activities to do during winter. So, if you’re like us, you might enjoy snuggling a couple of hours of ice skating into your trip!
You can find three ice skating rinks in Barcelona city. One is located in the Barcelona Football Club, the other in the shopping mall l’Illa Diagonal, and the last one is in the neighbourhood Nou Barris.
Run a race to burn the excess food (31st Dec)
A great way to burn off those extra holiday calories while soaking up the festive atmosphere is by joining La Cursa dels Nassos. This is a popular 10-km race held every year on the 31st of Dec in Barcelona.
The name “Cursa dels Nassos” refers to a mythological Catalan character, L’home dels Nassos (the man with many noses), who is said to appear on New Year’s Eve with as many noses as there are days left in the year—just one!
The race starts and finishes at the Port Olímpic, right next to the Mediterranean Sea, and you don’t need to be a pro to join. You just need to want to have some fun!
With over 10,000 participants in recent years, La Cursa dels Nassos is one of the most popular races in Barcelona. And it’s the perfect way to kick off your New Year’s Eve in an active way before the evening festivities.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve like a local (31st Dec)
Still in Barcelona on Dec 31? Then, get ready to celebrate New Year’s Eve like a local.
To do so, you need to go to the supermarket and buy 12 grapes. Then, gather some friends or family, and during the last twelve seconds of the year, stuff the twelve “miraculous grapes” in your mouth (one for each chime of the clock before midnight).
You’ll find more about this tradition and how to succeed at eating the grapes without choking in our “Catalan Christmas traditions: A local’s guide to our quirky customs” guide.
Some people enjoy this tradition from home, while others head to Plaça Espanya. Around 11 pm, there’s a public fireworks display with music and a midnight countdown. Although it’s super fun, it’s also super packed!
Other cool plans to do in Barcelona in December
So there you have it—plenty of things to see and do this December!
But if you still have room on your itinerary, we’ve got even more ideas to help you enjoy Barcelona to the fullest. Check these out:
- Discover Barcelona differently: Skip the tourist bus! Grab a bike, inline skates, or even a paddleboard to explore the city from a fresh perspective.
- Unique things to do in Barcelona: Looking for something cool and out of the ordinary? We’ve got 22 unique ideas to spice up your trip.
And if you’re still searching for the perfect place to stay, check out our “Recommended hotels in Barcelona” guide.
Have you visited Barcelona in December before? We’d love to hear about your experience!
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