Barcelona 2024 Christmas Lights tours

About Barcelona Christmas lights tours

The 2024 Christmas season in Barcelona starts on the 28th of November with a ceremony to turn christmas lights on​ from 18.00h with the main event being in Passeig de Gracía. The Barcelona Christmas Lights 2024 includes an additional 6km to the streets that will be illuminated this year making a total of 110km of decorated boulevards.

The Barcelona Christmas lights run from the last Thursday in November to the evening of January 6th, the day after the Three Kings (three wise med) float parade (Reyes).

Passeig de Gracía

Without doubt, the most spectacular and flamboyantly lit up street in Barcelona. Since it's the street with the high end global brands, many of the shop fronts are also elaborately decorated. Additionally, the two Gaudí houses are adorned with lights. Casa Batlló light show (Passeig de Gracía 43) is famous for its multicoloured illuminated façade that switches between shades of blue, purple and red.

Several top end five star hotels also participate in the Christmas spirit. Notable is Hotel Majestic (Passeig de Gracía 68), Hotel Casa Fuster (Passeig de Gracía 132), Hotel Condes de Barcelona (Passeig de Gracía 73) and Monument Hotel (Passeig de Gracía 75).

Plaça Catalunya

A good central point between the prominent decorated streets is Plaça Catalunya that has modest decorations. Corte Ingles department store which occupies one side of the square has full size Christmas light murals that are three stories in height and worth a look. Usually in the centre of the square is a tent offering Christmas related displays and musical events.

Historically Plaça Catalunya used to be the location for the artificial ice skating ring but this has since moved to the Port Vell Christmas Fair.

Gothic Quarter

Below Plaça Catalunya is the Roman and Gothic heart of the city with many streets featuring Christmas lights. Notable is the shopping street of Portal d'Angel. Walking down this street take a right at the historic fountain, Font de Santa Anna, and the pedestrianised street leads into Avenida de l'Catedral where you will find the Barcelona's famous Santa Lucia Christmas Market. many of the side streets in this area also have Christmas lights.

Plaça Sant Jaume is an example of Barcelona festive light displays with the square having a giant 20 pointed Christmas star by Xevi Bayona and Àlex Posada. The star is designed to illuminate the government buildings of Ajuntament de Barcelona (city hall) and Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya (government palace). The star is a break from traditional Catholic themed decorations and is designed to evoke the birth of the universe through light.

I must also mention Santa Maria del Pi Basilica which has some beautiful and modest Christmas decorations inside.

Sagrada Família Area

Another example of Barcelona Christmas illumination is the Hospital de Sant Pau buildings. Today a modernist museum that has an illuminated façade and interior garden with beautifully decorated trees. Recinte de Sant Pau (hospital museum) is linked to Sagrada Família by Avenida Gaudí, another decorated pedestrianised street. I recommend this area for a festive season walk and visit to the Sagrada Família Christmas Market..

Visiting Barcelona Christmas lights tours

Barcelona's Christmas lights switch on​:
• Sunday to Thursday: 17:30h to 01:00h
• Friday to Saturday: 17:30 to 92:00h
• Eve of public holidays (25 and 31 December and 5 January): from 17:30h to 02:00h

barcelona christmas lights dates:
• Start: 28th of November 2024 at 18:00h
• End: 6th January 2025 at midnight

Note: Plaça Sant Jaume's Giant 20 pointed star is illuminated from 18:30h to midnight and cycles through a lighting routine every 30 minutes. According to the hype this star is suposed to illuminate the government buildings but I noticed that it seems to be a little underpowered to fill the square with light but is still worth a look. In the corner of this square is a giant Christms tree.

La Ramblas

La Rambla, probably Barcelona's most famous street, usually is a good place to go to enjoy Barcelona Xmas lights, but in 2024 the street is being renovated to convert it into a fully pedestrianised boulevard, so this year the lights are a bit lacklustre. I would give it a miss.

Barcelona Christmas lights tours Summary of Prices Summary of Prices

Map for Barcelona Christmas lights tours

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