Barcelona's port celebrates 150 years with new Christmas fair

This year is the Port of Barcelona's 150th anniversary, and part of the celebrations is a new Christmas fair in the Portal de la Pau square at the end of the Rambla, where the city's famous statue of Columbus atop its column points out to sea.

The Fira de Nadal del Port Vell, as the new fair is called, opened on December 5 on the eve of the long Púrissima holiday weekend, and will open every day until January 5, the eve of Kings' Day that brings the festive season to a close.

The new fair not only has a Christmas market with dozens of stalls selling the full range of seasonal products, from decorations to food to gifts, but also features a ferris wheel providing views of the city center and the Mediterranean.

And that's not all, as the Port Vell fair also has a traditional merry-go-round for the youngest visitors, and a huge 31-meter Christmas tree - the largest ever put up in Catalonia -, as well as a nativity scene that - in a break with tradition - floats on the water.

Food, shows and lights

Apart from browsing the market stalls, visitors can find a bite to eat in the fair's food zone, as well as going on to enjoy one of the shows planned over the following weeks on a special stage set up for performances.

As is to be expected at Christmastime, lights play a big part in the fair, with the floating nativity scene illuminated in the evenings, and the Port of Barcelona building's facade featuring over 100,000 LEDs as part of a light show.

The Port Vell Christmas fair is open every evening until 10pm, starting at 6pm from December 9 to 12, December 16 to 19, and on December 25 and January 1, while it is open from 10am on the other days.