20-point star to light up Barcelona's Sant Jaume square this Christmas

Barcelona's iconic Sant Jaume Square will light up this Christmas with a striking star-shaped installation.

The installation, called Origin, is a 20-point star, with each point measuring four meters in length.

The star spans nine meters in diameter, stretches 10 meters in width, and weighs 2.5 tonnes.

Constructed from iron and methacrylate, it takes the form of an icosahedron, made up of 20 triangular pyramids.  

The unveiling is set for November 29, when the star will take center stage in the square, which is home to the city council and the Catalan government headquarters.

Light show every 30 minutes

Adding to the spectacle, the star will feature a stunning light show. Each evening from 6.30pm  to 10 pm, a five-minute immersive audiovisual performance will take place every 30 minutes.

The show will also illuminate the facades of the two iconic buildings on the square, the Catalan government headquarters and the City Council building.

Visitors will be able to use a QR code to access a mobile app, enabling them to sync their phones with the live music accompanying the performance.  

Before each show, a short presentation in one of three languages - Catalan, Spanish and English - will give an insight into the installation.

Created by artists Àlex Posada and Xevi Bayona, the installation combines innovation and tradition.

"It is called Origin precisely because the importance of looking back to where things come, the origin of the universe, where everything comes from, the stars that guide us," the artists said.

"During the day, the star will dialog with its surroundings, reflecting them. At night, it will take center stage, illuminating it," they added. 

The artists explained that one of the most important parts of the installation is the music, and encourage all visitors to try the live music from their phones.

Star replaces nativity scene

It will be the first time in many years that there will be no nativity scene in the square.

To compensate for its absence, the Council will host the traditional nativity scene that is usually held in the Marès Museum.

It will be located in the Pati de Carruatges of the Council and will be inspired by the sea.

The inspiration in the sea comes after the America's Cup held in Barcelona this year and the commemoration of the centenary of the poet Joan Salvat-Papasseit, who worked in the Moll de la Fusta.

The nativity scene will be open to the public from 29 November to 5 January, from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 11 am to 8 pm on weekends.

Christmas light switch-on show

This year's Christmas light switch-on show will once again take place for the second consecutive year in the Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, according to El Periodico newspaper and confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

The event will take place on November 28, with the city council planning to release more details about the celebration next week.

So far, it is known that new illuminated totems will be introduced in all districts, ensuring that the Christmas lights reach new areas of the city, including less central locations.

Another novelty this year is that the lights will remain on two hours longer each day: until 1 am from Sunday to Thursday, and until 2 am on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eves of public holidays.

Bus Christmas tour

The annual Barcelona Christmas Tour, organized by Barcelona's transport authority (TMB) and the city's tourist board, is back this year. 

The tour includes a nighttime route on a double-decker bus through the city's most iconic sites, with a privileged view of the Christmas decorations. 

The tour begins on November 29 and runs daily through January 4.

The 80-minute route takes in the city's main streets, avenues and iconic landmarks such as Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça de Catalunya and Passeig de Sant Joan.