Get ready for the holidays in Barcelona!
Barcelona is a beautiful city that’s perfect for those wanting to experience the winter holiday season. With its cool buildings and brilliant Christmas lights, a visit will put you in the spirit of holidays, especially when you need it most. The food, culture and people are all waiting to welcome you with open arms.
What more could you want? Great cities don’t just come around every day! And Barcelona in December is no exception as it offers visitors an enchanting holiday experience unlike any other. So, pack your bags, get on a plane, and get ready because we’ve got everything you need to know about visiting this historic city!
December Weather in Barcelona
One thing to consider is the amount of precipitation. In December, rainfall tends to be around 28 mm, making for a slightly below-average amount of precipitation. However, you can expect this number to be even higher during January and February.
Winter brings on occasional rain, but they are not extreme by any means.
Here are average temperatures found in each month from November through January:
- November: 14C/57.2F
- December: 14C/57.2F
- January: 13/55.4F
Reasons to Visit Barcelona in December
Traveling to Barcelona is usually the sun, sand, sangrias, and few things in between. Yes, summer by the Mediterranean is something special. But Barcelona is way more than that. Actually, for many, traveling to Barcelona is also way interesting in winter, when the attractions aren’t so crowded, and the tickets and fees don’t cost that much. Also, compared to other European cities, Barcelona’s temperature doesn’t go and stays very low, so winter can still be super pleasant for outdoor activities.
Wonderful Weather
December is a good time to organize a trip to Barcelona, as it offers visitors the chance to witness some of the most enchanting sights this historic city has to offer. While still colder than most people are used to, the weather is not so extreme that outdoor activities like visiting museums or Barcelona’s parks and beaches are off-limits.
With fewer tourists in December, it only means reduced prices on everything from attractions to hotels. Finally, Christmas lights and holiday events like ice skating make December one of the best times of year for families who want both peace and excitement!
Delicious Food
Barcelona is one of the most diverse cities when it comes to its cuisine. The melting pots of Spanish and Mediterranean influences have made this city a world-class feast for the mouth! Foodies can find themselves in culinary heaven during the holiday season because some seasonal dishes are already on the menu!
Sightseeing At Its Best
December presents a beautiful, quiet time to explore Barcelona’s iconic sights. Festivals like Fira de Santa Llúcia and Els Pastorets are happening in December, but most of the tourist attractions aren’t as crowded as in summer. This is one of the best times to explore Barcelona in winter, where you can enjoy some peace and still have amazing experiences!
Exciting Christmas and New Year
Christmas in Barcelona is a sight to behold. The streets are filled with people. There are chains of Santas from all around Catalonia on their way to the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Christmas decorations line the streets, and the shops and marketplaces are all decorated as well. They have also added an element of traditional Catalan culture by parading performers through the streets dressed in Liceu, Fustiana, or Andalusian dancewear and music from the Renaissance era.
Parade of the Three Kings
The Three Kings parade is a nighttime parade celebrating the three wise kings who visited baby Jesus after his birth. It’s customary for children to dress up in costumes and follow the procession around the city streets, singing songs and scattering rosemary so that “doors and windows would smell sweet.” The nighttime parade is traditionally composed of people carrying lanterns, including those bearing gigantic figures of one or more kings on the top. These “kings” wear tall hats that are often illuminated with small lightbulbs inside. Definitely worth watching, especially if your little ones are with you.
Better Prices (More Discounts and Promotions)
December is a great time to shop in Barcelona. Cheaper than other seasons, there are also more discounts and promotions to be found! For example, the shopping center of La Rambles opens on December 23th and stays open until January 2nd. That’s three whole weeks of shopping for those looking for some holiday cheer! In addition, the shops here stay open late into the night all week long so you will never have a problem finding what you’re looking for during your trip.
December in Barcelona Offers Free Activities
Enjoy the Ajuntament
The Ajuntament is a theater that opened in the year 1895 and was originally known as the “Casa Lliure,” which means free house. During wintertime, there are plenty of shows that happen at the Ajuntament with shopping specials happening during the daytime, so many take advantage of discounts for these performances!
In December, the Ajuntament is screening films all night long and offers free admission, where you can enjoy screenings of films outdoors with a spectacular 360-degree view of the Barcelona nightscape.
Diada de Tradicios in the Cathedral of Barcelona
The Diada de Tradicios in the cathedral of Barcelona is a cultural and historical event that commemorates the day that La Catedral de Barcelona was consecrated. For centuries, the tradition has been going on from November 30th to December 2nd, with an 8 PM mass held on December 1st. For this special occasion, you can attend with your family or friends at the entrance of La Catedral de Barcelona (Carrer Montcada) from November 30th to December 2nd, 8 PM. You’re really lucky if they are giving away free fried doughnuts!
Christmas Enlightenments
Christmas is coming, and the same goes for Christmas enlightenments in Barcelona. There’s nothing like walking through this magical city, admire the lights, and get lost in its beauty. One of the things that I love about traveling here is that you got to escape from reality for a moment, especially during this season of joy!
Thing to See and Do in Barcelona During Winter
Christmas is a unique and magical time of the year. In Barcelona, although not as widely celebrated as other places like Paris, Christmas has its own flavor. The city offers so many things to do during the holiday season that it’s hard for anyone to not be able to find something they love! Here are some things you can do in Barcelona during the holiday season:
Enjoy the Ice Rink
The ice rink in Barcelona is fun and exciting. You can do many things at the ice rink – you can skate with friends, skate by yourself, or even try curling! It’s a really fun thing to do in Barcelona and the perfect way to spend a day, especially if it’s raining outside and you’re looking for some fun indoor activity.
- Prices: EURO15- EURO20
- Location: C/Arístides Mallol 12 (main Access 15) and Av. De Joan XVIII ( Boulevard Access 9), 08028 Barcelona
- Time: Monday and Thursday at 10:00AM-2:00PM. Friday at 10:00AM-2:00PM. Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays at 11:00 AM-2:00PM
Experience Harbour Swim
The harbor swim is the perfect activity to do during the winter season in Barcelona. It’s a sport that is practiced year-round, but this is a great opportunity to experience it for yourself for those who are visiting. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, wear your birthday suit!
Parco de la Bonanova
For those who love Christmas trees like me, I recommend taking a walk through the park and admire the beautiful tree lighting and take pictures of all of them! There are also many events happenings at Parco de la Bonanova during December, including live music and theatre performances.
Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Familia
The Christmas Festival of the Sagrada Familia is a week-long event centered around the most spectacular place to visit at this time of year: La Sagrada Familia. The festival includes live music and dance performances, different kinds of crafts, and, as a bonus for any visitors arriving from afar, sometimes they are offering free transportation for those who come on December 24th or 25th.”
Get a Taste of Every Barcelona Cuisine
Make sure to try all the different cuisines in Barcelona. One of the most popular, authentic, and delicious Catalan dishes is a plate of tapas.
Moreover, a traditional Catalan preparation consists of roasted or fried red peppers, olives, and anchovies. All these ingredients are served atop a small mini-flatbread or oatcake that is dipped in olive oil before being popped into one’s mouth.
Visit Museums and Historic Sites
Museums are a great way to spend time with family and friends during the holidays. If you’re searching for a new experience that will make you feel like you’re traveling in time, visit the Museum Marítim! This museum is different than others because it has an incredible setting. It’s not a familiar tourist spot, but ask a locale away, and they’ll show you the way to Barcelona’s port. I highly recommend going as soon as possible before everything closes for Christmas!
Three Kings Parade
This event, which was initially held in the 16th century when it was founded as an act of resistance against the mistreatment of Sant Jordi, is now a big annual parade that takes place on Epiphany. It’s a traditional celebration and Barcelona’s most popular festivity.
This festive ceremony starts with a beautiful display of fireworks and ends with three ladies dressed in green carrying a statue of baby Jesus at the top. Fireworks and lots of fun follow this! The event is usually considered to follow Spain’s Christmas traditions perfectly!
Countdown to New Year’s Eve with the Locales
In Barcelona, there are a lot of celebrations that take place at this time of the year. One of the most popular celebrations is New Year’s Eve. The city has created some very innovative and fun activities for people to enjoy during this celebration.
For those who don’t mind being surrounded by large crowds, I suggest going to one of Barcelona’s most famous squares: Plaza de Catalunya and Plaza Reial, where they have also held events. There you’ll be able to find food like boiled noodles with tomato sauce or potato pancakes in addition to watching fireworks up close!
For those who want something more intimate, I would recommend going to Plaça Sant Jaume, there is a lesser crowd, and it will also have live music.
Wine Up! Have Fun and Drink More!
Barcelona is neighbors with the two best wine regions: The Penedès and the Priorat. Although a lot of people choose to travel to Barcelona in summer, winter is when good wines actually make sense. What’s a greater way to relax than a fireplace for a cold day & great wine tasting in the countryside? Just choose your favorite Spanish trails for a wine tour, or come with us in a wine extended getaway!
“In all honesty, there’s no doubt in visiting Barcelona in December! The weather and activities are perfect. There are different ways to explore the city that won’t make you go crazy. There is also a unique variety of places to visit and things to try.”
“You know what they say: do as the locals do!”
The people of Barcelona have fun on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and Epiphany. In addition, the city has an adrenaline-fueled celebration for New Year’s Eve – La nit lla. So, what does that mean for you? It means you should join them!
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