Discover the Authentic Catalonia in December!

December is one of the most anticipated months of the year in Catalonia. The cold weather invites people to seek the warmth of home, and the magic of Christmas fills streets, squares, and mountains.

December offers a mosaic of fairs, traditional shows, nature experiences and living culture that allow us to discover the most authentic Catalonia with all our senses.

Christmas fairs and markets: The warmth of tradition

Christmas markets and fairs are one of the most iconic images of December. From the end of November and throughout the month, towns and cities in Catalonia fill with stalls selling crafts, Christmas decorations, local products, and gifts.

Among the best-known are the Santa Lucía Fair in Barcelona, the Nativity Scene Fair in Olot, the Christmas Fair in Caldes de Montbui, and the one in Tàrrega. These spaces invite visitors to stroll, shop locally, and enjoy a festive, bright, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Els Pastorets: popular theater at Christmas

One of the most deeply rooted theatrical traditions of Christmas in Catalonia is Els Pastorets. These performances, which combine religious theater, humor, and popular culture, take place in many towns and cities during the holidays, especially between Christmas and New Year's.

Amateur theater groups, often intergenerational, stage stories that blend the announcement of the Messiah's arrival with battles between good and evil. Towns like Berga, Igualada, Mataró, Terrassa, and Solsona have long traditions of performing these plays. The Pastorets are a living expression of Catalan identity through theater.

Living Nativity Scenes: Stories in the Open Air

Another great Christmas tradition is the living nativity scene, where residents from all over the region recreate biblical scenes and traditional Catalan customs. These open-air performances transform natural and architectural spaces into living sets.

Among the most notable are those of Corbera de Llobregat, Castell d'Aro, Bàscara, Viladecans, Joanetes, Sant Pere de Ribes or Pals. Participating or attending is a way to delve into memory, faith and popular creativity.

Christmas concerts: sounds that warm the soul

In December, music also takes center stage. In Catalonia, Christmas concerts are scheduled in auditoriums, churches, and town squares. Choirs, orchestras, and traditional music groups perform classical pieces, carols, and winter songs that evoke emotions and spirituality.

Cities like Barcelona, Lleida, Girona, Reus, Vic, and Manresa host Christmas music series, and there are also special events in monasteries and heritage sites. The concerts become a meeting point for culture, emotions, and community.

Snow and Winter Sports: Nature with excitement

December also marks the start of the snow season and snow sports. The ski resorts of the Catalan Pyrenees, such as La Molina, Masella, Boí Taul, Port Aíneu, Espot, and Vallter 2000, offer a wide variety of activities: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding, igloo building, and guided excursions.

There are also places to enjoy the snow in quieter, more family-friendly settings, such as the Alt Pirineu Natural Park or the Lles and Aransa area. The snow is experienced with intensity, sport, and contemplation. In addition, many rural houses, mountain huts, and high-mountain hotels offer accommodation and local cuisine experiences to complete your stay.

December in Catalonia is much more than just preparing for Christmas; it's an opportunity to experience traditions at their root, reconnect with nature, and share culture. Between the warmth of the fairs, the excitement of folk theater, the beauty of snow-covered landscapes, and the music that accompanies the shorter days, discovering the authentic Catalonia in December is a gift for the senses and the heart.