Els Ilums de Nadal: Barcelona’s Christmas Lights!

While Barcelona’s Christmas-themed markets, festivals and performances create holiday spirit, if you’re in the city at this time of year, you barely have to leave your apartment or hostel to enjoy the spectacular Els llums de Nadal, or Christmas light displays! Transforming the streets into cozy, magical walkways, the illuminated displays vary each year in shapes, sizes, and colors and can be seen from November 24^th until January 6^th (known as Dia de Reis, this day is celebrated as a public holiday and marks the end of the holiday season).

Of course, the Barcelona Christmas spirit doesn’t stop at light displays! Don’t miss the FREE, breathtaking light show held between 19:00 and 21:00 every Friday and Saturday at the Montjüic Magic Fountain (ends January 6^th as well). What’s more, a visit to Plaça de Sant Jaume will allow you to see not only one of the city’s tree displays, but also the enormous pesebre, or nativity scene, that changes in design each year! Even the Corte Inglés in Barcelona’s Plaza de Catalunya, gets decked out in lights, and just outside of it on the main shopping street of Avenida Portal de l’Angel stands a massive colorful tree. Hotel Majestic on Passeig de Gràcia as well as tourist sites like the Torre Agbar also contribute their own classy styles, which are definitely worth exploring to decide which one’s your favorite! What’s super cool and impressive about this progressive city is that, in recent years, Barcelona has relied on sustainable energy sources such as LED lights, which are only switched on for a limited time in order to remain environmentally-conscious.

– Marisa