Christmas at the Sagrada Família: Carols, children's workshops, and midnight mass

The Sagrada Família is marking the Christmas season with a range of activities and events, including a children's workshop, a concert, caroling at the Nativity facade, a series of illuminations, and a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. 

Barcelona's famous unfinished basilica is "inviting everyone to join in the spirit of Christmas and share in the joy of these special days." 

Christmas workshop 

The Christmas workshop for children between 6 and 12 includes a guided tour of Gaudí's masterpiece, a quiz, and making handicrafts and pop-up Christmas cards. Workshops will be held on Saturdays and Sundays in December, and on December 6, 7, 8, 22, 27, 28 and 29, with sessions at 10:30am and 12:30pm. 

Christmas concert 

The basilica's annual traditional Christmas concert takes place on Thursday, December 14 at 7:00pm.  

This year it will feature choirs from Agrupació Cor Madrigal, with children's choirs from all over Catalonia and choirs from the Sagrada Família neighbourhood. 

They will be accompanied by the Orquestra Simfònica del Vallès conducted by Pere Lluís Biosca with Joan Seguí on the organ. 

It can be followed live here: sagradafamilia.org/en/livestreams 

Caroling at the Nativity facade 

On Tuesday, December 19 at 6:30pm, the Sagrada Família will host a caroling session on Carrer de la Marina, in front of the Nativity facade– part of the basilica built during Gaudí's lifetime. 

It will feature children's choirs and singers from local choirs from the Raval and Gothic neighborhoods of Barcelona. 

KorraVal Evolution, Dona Gospel, Cor de Dones de Xamfrà, Món Raval, Girasol, Cor Turull, Cor Drassanes, Kudyapi, Les Flors de Maig, TrencaCors and Musicals' Choir will offer a repertoire of traditional Christmas carols from Catalonia and around the world. 

And to finish off, they will all sing a very special carol together. The event is free of charge and open to all. 

Illumination of sculptures on Nativity facade 

Marking 800 years since Francis of Assisi recreated the nativity scene, beginning a tradition that has lasted until today, the Sagrada Família is celebrating the occasion by illuminating the Nativity facade and bringing to life the Nativity scenes sculpted in stone that Gaudí designed for this facade. 

In chronological order, the various sculpture groups of the Nativity, the adoration of the shepherds and the adoration of the magi will be lit up, accompanied by music and narration.  

It can be seen from Carrer de la Marina on December 20, 21 and 22. There will be sessions lasting between 10 and 12 minutes, narrated in Spanish and Catalan. On December 20, the sessions will be held from 7:30pm to 9:30pm and on December 21 and 22, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. 

(Almost) midnight mass 

The Sagrada Família will host a midnight mass on Christmas Eve – at 7:00pm so the little ones can come along. The ceremony will be led by Monsignor David Abadias, Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona, and afterwards mass-goers will go outside for the adoration of the baby Jesus on the Nativity facade. 

There is no charge for attending midnight mass but capacity is limited.