14 Things to Do in Barcelona in December

Barcelona is a city worth visiting any month of the year as it is always full of cultural events. However, of all the things to see and do, December is perhaps the month with the highest concentration of events and festivities.

Christmas can be felt in the air, there are many indoor festivals and the city adapts to winter with ice rinks and art and tradition are everywhere. If this has got you curious, read on, because I've prepared a list of 10 things to do in Barcelona in December that you're sure to love, are you up for it?

If you come to Barcelona in December you should not forget that you are in the Christmas month and this, without a doubt, has its advantages. One of the main ones is that the city's most emblematic buildings usually open their doors with annual activities that are more accessible than the rest of the year. The Palau de la Música is a good example of this.

This beautiful building, which you can visit all year round with guided tours to appreciate its impressive modernist style, dresses up every late December to offer a series of concerts during the Christmas holidays that everyone can attend. It's definitely an experience you must experience if you get the chance.

Book your tickets for the Palau de la Música in Barcelona and enter this building designed with world-renowned acoustics. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to book your tickets for a concert on the official website to listen to live music by some of the artists making their debuts during these days in December.

Useful information

• Price: prices are more affordable than the rest of the year and vary depending on the concert, but can range from €20 to €40.
• Venue: the concerts are held at the Palau de la Música, located in the street of the same name, number 4-6. Carrer Verdi, 2
• Date: at the end of December.

December is an ideal time to book a night-time experience at La Pedrera, as the show takes place on the Warriors' Rooftop and the views from here are breathtaking with the centre of Barcelona lit up for the Christmas festivities.

In this night-time experience in one of Gaudí's most captivating buildings, you'll enjoy a visual spectacle, lasting about an hour and a half, in which the lights and audiovisual projections will amaze you.

What's more, to put the finishing touch to this unique multimedia event, you'll be treated to a glass of cava.

Useful information

• Price: The price of this experience starts at 38 €.
• Place: Pasei de Gràcia, 92.
• Date: It takes place almost every day of the week at three times: 21:20, 22 and 22: 20 h. approximately.

December, due to the low temperatures and snow, is an ideal time to book a day trip to the Pyrenees from Barcelona, as it is one of the times of the year when it is at its most splendid.

Specifically, the excursions last approximately 11 hours and are carried out in groups of approximately 16 people. Throughout the tour you will visit some of the most beautiful villages in the area, such as Vic or Queralbs, with an expert guide who will give you all the details of this mountain range that separates Spain from France.

One of my favourite moments is the ascent to the summit of Nuria by rack railway. It is really impressive. Once there, you can also take the opportunity to sample Catalan gastronomy in a restaurant or explore the area on horseback.

Interesting facts

• Price: You can book an excursion for approximately 108 €.
• Place: This excursion to the Pyrenees includes a return transfer in an air-conditioned minivan.
• Date: The excursion takes place around three days a week, at 8:30 a.m. in the morning.

What better way to immerse yourself in flamenco culture than with a show featuring renowned artists, dancers and singers in one of Barcelona's main tablaos, theatres or venues.

Declared a World Heritage Site, this musical genre is pure passion and beauty. And the month of December is an ideal time to book your ticket because they usually make artistic nods to Christmas, either incorporating a Christmas carol or some popular lyrics that we all know.

You have several options for enjoying a show. Here are four proposals with very different prices, duration and with additional services (drinks, dinner, tapas...) to suit all budgets:

• Flamenco show tickets at City Hall Theatre, from £23.
• Tickets for flamenco showat Los Tarantos, from ** £25**.
• Tickets for flamenco show atTablao Cordobés, from ** £42**.
• Flamenco show tickets atTablao de Carmen, from ** £61**.

Useful information

• Price: You can enjoy a show from 27 €.
• Venue: There are different venues and tablaos where you can enjoy a unique flamenco show.
• Date: Almost every day of the week you can enjoy a flamenco show.

One of the peculiarities of your trip to Barcelona in December is that the temperatures are lower than in other months of the year and may coincide with a day when precipitation marks your day out. If you want to make the most of this day without discomfort, I recommend that you choose to visit one of Barcelona's main museums.

There is a wide variety of museums in Barcelona, so regardless of your tastes, the type of trip you make and who accompanies you, you can find the option that best suits you. Here are a few options:

• Tickets for the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, from £11.
• Tickets for the National Art Museum of Catalonia, from ** £12**.
• Tickets forthe Egyptian Museum of Barcelona, from ** £14**.
• Tickets forthe Museum of the Spanish People in Barcelona, from ** £15**.
• Tickets forthe Wax Museum of Barcelona, from ** £21**.

And if you are thinking of visiting several, don't hesitate to consider the option of booking a pass for the museums of Barcelona, with which you will save considerably on the price of the different tickets.

Useful information

• Price: From €13 you can visit some of Barcelona's must-see museums.
• Place: Different locations in Barcelona.
• Date: Every day of the week.

It cannot be overlooked that, apart from all the activities and events organised in Barcelona in December, Christmas is present in every corner of the city and permeates all the streets with its lights along the main avenues and, of course, its Christmas markets. All you have to do is stroll around or book a tour of the old town and the Gothic Quarter to see for yourself.

If you're spending a few days in the Catalan capital, you can't miss the many markets that are organised in various parts of the city. Getting around Barcelona is quite easy and, in the case of the street markets, you can get to several of them by walking and strolling through the centre.

In these markets you can not only soak up the Christmas spirit by listening to Christmas carols, but you can also buy all kinds of details and decorations, such as the legendary "Caga Tió", and warm up with a delicious chocolate with churros (fritters). The three most important markets in the city are:

• Santa Lucía, in front of the Cathedral.
• Sagrada Familia.
• Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes.

Interesting facts

• Price: access is free, depending on how much you want to spend.
• Place: the Santa Lucia street market, in front of the Cathedral, the Sagrada Família street market near the basilica and the Sant Tomàs i Reis street market on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes.
• Date: they usually begin in mid-November and last throughout December.

If you are passionate about Japan and its graphic novels such as manga or anime, I can't think of a better plan for you to do during your holidays in Barcelona in December than to visit the great Salón del Manga, the annual Manga Festival held in Barcelona.

During the first days of December, the Fira de Barcelona is dyed Asian to welcome this famous event. For almost 5 days, you can attend all kinds of workshops, competitions, meetings with artists and, of course, get your hands on the most exclusive copies of manga and comics.

Of course, if you are a fan of manga, you can take the opportunity to come with your favourite costume, as you will also find many people showing off their cosplays, are you going to miss it?

Interesting facts

• Price: tickets must be bought online through their website and usually cost around 10 €.
• Venue: the festival is organised every year at the Barcelona events fair, the Fira, located in Av. de la Reina María Cristina. Don't hesitate to book the Hola Barcelona transport card to get to the venue comfortably.
• Date: during the first days of December.

If you enjoy eating and trying new flavours, you've probably got the itch to go on some of the gastronomic tours offered by the city of Barcelona. However, you can do this every month of the year. The special thing if you come in December is that there is a festival that is as tasty as it is curious; the Untasted Cheese Fest.

This is a fair that is held every year in December and whose main theme is cheese. You can try all kinds of different types and flavours and, if that wasn't enough, enjoy live electronic music.

With cheeses from all over the world and different tastings, it is a perfect plan, beyond booking a tapas tour, to have a good time with friends and family while eating this tasty and creamy food. Bon profit!

Interesting facts

• Price: the price per day is around 15 € and includes both cheese tasting and wine tasting.
• Place: usually held at L'Estació Espai Gastronòmic, at Av. del Marquès de l'Argentera, 6.
• Date: This fair usually lasts two days and is held at the beginning of December.

When the cold weather arrives, there's no better outdoor activity to do in big cities like Barcelona than to go ice skating on some of the rinks that are spread out during these dates, especially if you come to the city with children.

The rinks are organised in large shopping centres such as L'Illa, as well as in emblematic neighbourhoods such as Nou Barris. Every year, depending on availability, they may change location, but the prices and conditions are usually the same. You don't need to be an expert, the slopes are free for all levels. All you have to do is come with the desire, put on your skates and dare.

And after sliding on your skates and getting to know the city with a magical and fun touch, there's nothing better than booking your ticket for Barcelona's ice bar and recharging your batteries in this curious place where ice is the main protagonist.

Interesting facts

• Price: usually between €5 and €10.
• Place: there are different locations every year, such as the L'Illa shopping centre.
• Date: Throughout the month of December.

One of the most eagerly awaited festivities and annual events not only in December, but of the whole year is, without a doubt, New Year 's Eve and, if you are lucky enough to be in Barcelona at this time of year, I can assure you that you won't have time to get bored.

Every 31 December, Barcelona puts on its best clothes to say goodbye to the year. Barcelona is a city with a great gastronomic legacy, so a great plan would be to book a table in a restaurant in the city centre that night. At midnight, as everywhere else in the country, the 12 grapes are eaten at a very special place, the Montjuic steps and the Magic Fountain. Book a ticket for the Montjuic cable car and get ready to enjoy.

After such a long-awaited moment, hundreds of bars and restaurants open their doors all night to celebrate the arrival of the new year with a good party. The best areas to go out are in the centre, in Plaza Catalunya, Poble Nou and, of course, Sagrada Familia, where you can enjoy the incredible views of the basilica at night.

Interesting facts

• Price: the celebration in Montjuic is free. The price will depend on where you are going to eat and party in the evening. A New Year's Eve menu is usually around €60 all-inclusive and a nightclub ticket is €50 with drinks.
• Place: the arrival of the new year is celebrated on the steps of Montjuic, on Av. de la Reina María Cristina.
• Date: 31 December.

Every year on 31 December, one of the most important races of the year is held in Barcelona; the Cursa dels Nassos. If you are spending the end of the year in Barcelona on holiday and you like sport, don't hesitate to sign up. The route is only 10 kilometres long and runs through the flat, central part of the city, so if you're in good shape, it won't be a problem.

This race has been held for years and is part of the tradition throughout the country, although in other communities it's called the San Silvestre (Saint Sylvester's Day). You don't have to be a professional runner, anyone can register and run.

You don't have to worry about finishing first either. Although it is true that professionals and amateurs can take it as a competition, many people experience it as a celebration and a moment of self-improvement, and even dress up in Christmas costumes.

Interesting facts

• Price: registration for the race is usually around 15 euros.
• Place: The route may change from year to year, but it is always in the Barceloneta and Arc de Triomf areas.
• Date: 31 December.

Barcelona is a city that is brimming with art and culture. However, although you can find artists and artisans in every corner of the city, it is in December when the best of the year come together in a festival called El Festivalet, to offer all their creations to the public.

This place is the perfect opportunity for the group of artisans and independent artists to showcase their work and come into direct contact with their public. The prices cover a wide range, so you can go and have a look around and find a hidden gem.

Also, due to the time of year, it's quite an interesting plan for Christmas shopping, as you're sure to find a unique gift or present to give as a present. Don't miss it!

Interesting facts

• Price: admission is free, so what you spend will depend on your tastes and pocket.
• Place: it is usually held in the old textile factory Fabra i Coats.
• Date: usually held over a weekend in mid-December.

Every year, the world of photography and journalism come together to exhibit the best documentary exhibitions that have taken place over the months, and Barcelona dedicates a space to the World Press Photo Festival so that everyone can see some of the most important photos in journalism, whether in the field of nature, social or political photography.

If you like this whole world, I can't think of a better plan than coming to the CCCB to see with your own eyes some of the most important photographic testimonies of the year. This festival is usually held in December, after the annual prizes have been awarded to see what the best photos have been.

It's definitely an excellent plan to do under cover if it starts to get too cold in the streets and, what's more, soak up culture and current affairs.

Interesting facts

• Price: entrance usually costs around €5 but if you go on Sundays during the festival you can get in for free.
• Place: It is held at the CCCB, at Montalegre, 5.
• Date: The festival starts at the end of November and lasts until mid-December.

December is the month of Christmas and, even if you are not very enthusiastic about these dates, they also bring with them their advantages. If you have come to Barcelona for a few days at Christmas and you want to make the most of Sundays, you should know that in December all shops are usually open on Sundays.

This is because it is a commercial month, where people want to hurry their shopping. That's why during the whole month there is a continuous timetable so that everyone can make the most of the city.

If you are coming as a tourist, this condition is ideal because, whatever the dates you come, you will always find the restaurants, shops and museums open so that you can enjoy them to the maximum.

Interesting facts

• Price: depending on how much you want to spend on shopping.
• Location: some of the most important shopping streets are Paseo de Gracia, Avenida Diagonal and Rambla/Plaza Cataluña.
• Date: every Sunday in December.

The Catalan capital in December is a city where temperatures tend to drop and it gets cold. With the arrival of winter in Barcelona also comes some rain and average temperatures ranging from 9ºC to 14ºC.

On days when it can be very windy and rainy, one of the ideal plans would be to take one of the many tourist buses in Barcelona, so you can see the city in shelter. However, if the weather permits, I recommend that you take one of the guided tours of the city, as at this time of year Barcelona is full of Christmas lights and decorations and is well worth seeing.

Barcelona is a city that has a lot to see and do and does not disappoint no matter what month you come. But if you decide to visit it in December, you're sure to be won over by its cultural offerings, its beautiful traditions and its light.