This year, Barcelona has chosen to surprise residents and visitors with an unconventional approach to Christmas celebrations. Instead of the usual debates about the nativity scene on Plaça de Sant Jaume (Sant Jaume), authorities have focused on creating a vibrant and unifying holiday atmosphere. The main event will be the premiere of an original anthem dedicated to the city’s choral groups. The piece, titled “Un cor que batega” (“A Heart That Beats”), blends classic Christmas melodies with modern musical elements. The performance will begin with a soloist, gradually joined by dozens of voices, building to an impressive and powerful choral crescendo.
The festive mood will be enhanced by a grand illumination: this year, lights will shine along 126 kilometers of streets—16 kilometers more than last season. Light installations will appear not only on the main avenues, but also in outlying neighborhoods, so every corner of the city feels included in the celebration. Special attention will be given to decorating 38 city fountains, which will become part of the light show for the first time. The main lighting ceremony will take place on passeig de Gràcia on November 22, when the new anthem will be performed by a choir ranging in age from 8 to 98. Five large screens will be set up for attendees to watch the event, along with synchronized light-ups on other streets.
Festivals, art installations, and new traditions
Plaça de Catalunya will once again become a hub for street art lovers. From December 20 to 30, the Barcelona Festival de Nadal will take place here, featuring more than 350 performances. The program includes shows by nearly twenty theater and music groups, including six international acts and nine orchestras. Organizers promise that every day will be packed with events, while the festival itself will reinforce its status as one of the city’s main winter cultural attractions.
Plaça de Sant Jaume, home to the city hall and the Catalan government buildings, will host a joint light installation created with digital technology this year. It will reinterpret traditional Christmas symbols and will be on display from November 22 to January 5. Of course, the traditional Christmas tree won’t be missing either—each year it is gifted to the city by the central market, Mercabarna.
A celebration for every district and support for local shops
City authorities aim to make the festivities as accessible as possible for all residents, so this year special attention is being given to outlying areas and small neighborhoods. In addition to new light routes, themed tours of historic shops, as well as markets and workshops, will take place in various districts. Traditional Christmas markets will open by the cathedral (Santa Llúcia), at the Sagrada Família, and Plaça de Catalunya will host a market dedicated to responsible consumption and the social economy.
The holiday season will conclude with a spectacular show on Maria Cristina Avenue, featuring a music and fireworks performance directed by renowned musician Marc Parrot, with drones and light projections. Barcelona welcomes 2026 with new traditions, uniting residents and visitors in a shared festive rhythm.
