A Festive Kickoff to the Winter Holidays
The Catalan capital is preparing for one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, marking the official start of the winter season. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the city will be transformed by the magical atmosphere of the ceremonial switch-on of the holiday lights. The iconic Passeig de Gràcia will become the main stage for this grand event. Exactly at 6:00 PM, an impressive show will begin, promising an unforgettable experience. Locals and visitors alike can look forward to a lineup featuring live music, aerial acrobatics, and stunning light installations. From that moment onward, more than four hundred streets and squares across the metropolis will sparkle with thousands of lights, enchanting the city until the end of the holiday season. Notably, this year, city authorities chose to kick off the festivities a bit earlier than usual, inviting new local artists and design studios to help create the decorations.
Where to Find the Most Stunning Installations?
For many, one of the main holiday traditions is strolling through decorated streets to fully soak in the festive atmosphere. This year, the total length of light garlands will exceed 126 kilometers. Special attention should be given to five brand-new, original installations appearing at key city locations. Plaça de Catalunya will be transformed by an installation from ARTEC Light Studio—a dynamic dance of light creating a striking display both day and night. On Via Laietana, unique LED arches inspired by Barcelona’s traditional ‘panot’ mosaics will be installed, designed by Ester Pujol and Marta Cerdà. Carrer d’Aragó will be adorned with glowing short phrases floating in the air—an installation by SMLXL+MA-MA studio. Gran Via will turn into a sea of twinkling lights thanks to Estudi APO’s project, where hundreds of luminous ‘candles’ will create the illusion of shimmering waves. And on Passeig de Sant Joan, the Brosmind duo is bringing back their popular ‘Windows to the Block’ installation, featuring playful references to manga culture.
The surprises don’t stop there. In the lobby of the Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHUB), visitors will be greeted by a giant inflatable ‘tortell’—the traditional Christmas cake. Festive lights will illuminate not only central avenues but also dozens of municipal markets, monuments, fountains, and even the docks of the Olympic Port. Every city district will sparkle with decorations, with special attention paid to residential and outlying neighborhoods.
Opening hours and other activities
The festive lights will be on every evening throughout the season. From Sunday to Thursday, the lights will shine from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy the illumination even longer—until 2:00 a.m. On the most special nights, such as December 24, 25, and 31, as well as January 5, the eve of Three Kings’ Day, the lights will stay on for extended hours. Notably, all lighting elements use modern LED technology, ensuring minimal energy consumption.
In addition to the light installations, the city will offer a host of other Christmas activities. The “Christmas at the Port” fair will once again be held in the Old Port (Port Vell), and this year it promises to be bigger than ever. Visitors can look forward to a giant Ferris wheel, an ice rink, performance stages, and the main new attraction: nighttime rides on the famous Las Golondrinas boats. Another must-visit location is the modernist complex of Sant Pau, which will host the “Llum de Sant Pau” light show. This magical trail of lights and projections transforms the architectural masterpiece into a one-of-a-kind visual spectacle. The walk takes between 60 and 90 minutes.
