Barcelona Christmas lights switched on

The Christmas season officially kicked off in Barcelona on Thursday with the highly anticipated lighting of the festive displays.

The celebration began at 6 pm on Passeig de Gràcia boulevard, featuring a grand spectacle of urban dance, rap, and captivating audiovisual effects.

Thousands gathered in the heart of the Catalan capital to witness the show, which conveyed a powerful message of unity, hope, and new beginnings.

After a nearly half-hour show, with an epic finale, the lights illuminated the city, bringing ecstasy and joy to the thousands gathered.

This year the Christmas lights will stretch an additional six kilometers, reaching a total of 110 km, and will stay on an additional two hours per day, until 2 am.

Some 24 illuminated seasonal figures, such as reindeer, will be placed around the city, and there will be a design inspired by the film 'El 47.'