Catalonia’s best Christmas markets

Christmas has descended upon Catalonia, a perfect time to learn about Catalan holiday traditions such as eating turrons (nougats), placing the caganer (pooping figurine) in nativity scenes, or feeding the Tió de Nadal (Christmas log). And all of these things can be found in Christmas markets all over Catalonia. 

BARCELONA 

Santa Llúcia Christmas Market  

This is the oldest Christmas market in Catalonia, open every Christmas since 1786. This year it will have 200 stalls dedicated to decorations, ornaments, nativity scenes, Christmas trees and more, making it the largest of its kind in the world, according to organizers. 

• Avinguda de la Catedral, Barcelona. Open every day from 10am to 21pm until 23 December. 

Nadal al Port, Port Vell Christmas Market 

Nadal al Port, located in the harbor area of Port Vell, is one of the newest Christmas markets in Barcelona, having only been inaugurated in 2018. Located right by the water on the Moll de la Fusta, visitors can enjoy a local gastronomy market, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, see Christmas light shows and installations, or even try the 400m2 ice rink.      

• Moll de la Fusta (Moll de Bosch i Alsina), Barcelona. Open daily, from December 5 to January 7.  

Fira de Reis Christmas Market 

This market is another traditional Christmas Market in Barcelona, dating back to 1877 when street vendors would set up stalls to sell their goods. Today visitors can buy Christmas presents, decorations and food in over 100 stalls.  

• Located on Gran Via, between Calàbria Street and Compte de Urgell Street. Open daily from December 15 to January 6. 

An Art Nouveau Christmas 

For Art Nouveau fans, there are two events that cannot be missed this year.  

The first is the Sagrada Familia Christmas Market, located by the Nativity Facade of the famous Gaudí cathedral. Inaugurated in 1962, it has 150 stalls, that, according to the organizers, have "everything you need to celebrate Christmas at home.".  

A short walk from that Christmas Market, there’s the Christmas Garden at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site (Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau). For the third year in a row, the old hospital is bathed in Christmas lights and other audiovisual installations. The Sant Pau Site also includes an ice rink. 

• The Sagrada Familia Christmas Market is open daily from Dec 1 – Dec 24 and is free. 
• The Christmas Garden at the Sant Pau Site is open evenings between 6pm and 9:30pm from November 21 to January 14. Entrance fee starts at 10€.  

Crafty Christmas Markets 

For residents and visitors who are interested in alternative Christmas markets in Barcelona, there are various great options:  

For the past 15 years, an old closed-down German toy factory, Antiga Fàbrica Lehmann, located in L'Esquerra d'Eixample, has been a creative hub for local designers and artists, and every year the cobblestone-clad patio of the factory is transformed into a Christmas Market, where visitors can buy handcrafted goods like jewellery, ceramics, clothing, artwork, as well as books and food. 

Another alternative Christmas market is the Market for Sustainable Consumption and Social and Solidary Economy, held in the center of the city, ion Pl. Catalunya. 

A total of fifty small businesses and organizations will sell craft products, clothing, books, food and other small gift items all produced with sustainability and solidarity in mind. 

• The Lehmann Factory Christmas market, C/Consell de Cent, 159 is open December 16 and 17 from 11am to 20pm. 
• The Market for Sustainable Consumption and Social and Solidary Economy, on Pl. Catalunya is open December 15 to December 29 

Caldes de Montbui Christmas Market 

The new edition of the Christmas Market of Caldes de Montbui will be held from December 5th to 10th, with more stalls and family activities in the historic center of the town. The highlight of the event a thermal soup cooked in the biggest pot in all of Catalonia, which can hold 1,600 liters of soup. There will also be dozens of stalls selling food, Christmas products and antiques. 

Vic Medival Market 

Not strictly Christmas themed, the market sets out to recreate medival life through workshops, shows, theatre and music for visitors of all ages. The fair will also include stalls with locally produced products such as food, jewelry, herbs and decorations.  

• The Medival Market will be held between December 6 and December 10 

Mura's Tió log festival 

This is one of the most popular events for children. Mura is located in the Bages region and, during the weeks before Christmas up until after the New Year, the Tió de Nadal logs invade the streets of the town.

• The 'Tions' start arriving around December 2 and stay until January 7. 

Christmas and Torró Fair in Cardedeu 

The fair dates back to 1272, according to organizers in the town located in northern Catalonia. The centerpiece of the fair is the torró, a traditional Christmas sweet, which will be sold in most of the stalls. Other items include gifts, handcrafted goods, nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.  

• The Christmas and Torró Fair will be held December 15, 16 and 17.  

Santa Llúcia Fair of Canyelles  

The Fair of Santa Llúcia de Canyelles is held on December 2nd and 3rd. There are more than 350 stalls, exhibitions, children's programs and other activites between 9 am and 9 pm. 

GIRONA 

Girona Christmas Market 

The characteristic wooden stalls of the Girona Christmas Market have once again filled the Independence Square in the heart of the city. In most of the stalls, visitors can buy handcrafted goods such as Christmas decorations, ceramics and other gifts, as well as a huge selection of locally produced foods.  

• The Girona Christmas Market, Pl. de la Independència, is open daily from November 24 to January 5. 

Christmas Tree Fair in Espinelves 

The tiny town of Espinelves, located in north-central Catalonia just outside Vic, holds an annual Christmas tree market, the Fira d'Alvet. Vendors sell locally grown trees and Christmas decorations. Aditionally, the fair features around a hundred stalls selling hand-made crafts and food. 

• The Christmas tree fair is open daily from December 2 to December 10. 

Olot Nativity Scene Fair 

From December 8 to 10, the Olot Nativity Scene Fair will take place in the Esteve Ferrer square, with dozens of wooden stalls where artisans will exhibit and sell figurines and sculptures. The Plaça Major will host the Christmas Market Km. 0, where you will find gift products made by local producers. 

Christmas and Torró Fair in Cardedeu 

The fair dates back to 1272, according to organizers in the town located in northern Catalonia. The centerpiece of the fair is the torró, a traditional Christmas sweet, which will be sold in most of the stalls. Other items include gifts, handcrafted goods, nativity scenes and Christmas decorations.  

• The Christmas and Torró Fair will be held December 15, 16 and 17. 

LLEIDA 

The city of Lleida doesn't just have one, but two Christmas markets. 

Located in the center of the commercial hub of the city, the Santa Llúcia Market, offers a variety of Christmas-related goods such as decorations, nativity scenes and trees. 

The other market, the Lleida Christmas Market, is located next to the main Cathedral. Here, visitors can buy handcrafted products and foods from 25 different stalls. 

• The Santa Llúcia Market, Pl. Sant Francesc, is open daily from December 3 to 24, and the Lleida Christmas Market, Pl. Vila de Foix is open daily until January 6. 

TARRAGONA 

Christmas Market in Tarragona 

Tarragona’s Rambla Nova will be packed with traditional wooden house stalls this season, selling Christmas decorations, trees, small presents, and typical Christmas sweets such as xurros, waffles and chocolate.   

• The Tarragona Christmas Market is open daily until January 5.