The Christmas lights in Barcelona will be officially switched on at a festive event on 26 November, marking the start of the city's holiday activities. The event will take place on Passeig de Gràcia, between Carrer del Rosselló and Avinguda Diagonal, at 18:00. This year’s celebration is part of the second edition of Barcelona Christmas Lights, which features new designs and collaborations with local citizens.
The event will include a large-scale audiovisual production celebrating the joy and tradition of Christmas, featuring aerial dance performances and a powerful original soundtrack. All districts of Barcelona will participate in the Christmas light switch-on, with specific events planned in various locations.
District-specific celebrations
In Ciutat Vella and L'Eixample, the switch-on will occur at Passeig de Gràcia. Sants-Montjuïc and Les Corts will hold a joint event at the intersection of Gran Via de Carles III and Avinguda de Madrid. In Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, the celebration will take place at Plaça Frederic Soler, featuring a performance by the Coro Moderno de la Cámara de Barcelona. Gràcia will host an event at Passeig de Pi i Margall, with the Orfeó Gracienc and the coral Roig Korai performing.
Other districts will also have their own celebrations, including:
- Horta-Guinardó: Plaça d'Eivissa with Grupo Coral de Horta
- Nou Barris: Corner of Carrer de Pablo Iglesias and Vía Favència with Coro del Ideal de Clavé
- Sant Andreu: Plaça de Massadas with the corals from the Escola Municipal de Música de Sant Andreu Mestre Pich Santasusana
- Sant Martí: Central section of Rambla de Prim with the Coral de la Fundación Vozes
New lighting initiatives
This year, the festive lighting will extend beyond the city centre, with new installations in Rambla de Prim and Passeig de Maragall. The designs will be provided by Hey Studio and Jordi Canudes & Ingrid Picanyol. Additionally, the iconic Galet, designed by Ramon Bigas, will return as a key Christmas feature, appearing in twelve markets across the city, as well as in Plaça del Rei and Rambla de Catalunya with Provença.
A new participatory lighting project will involve children and young people, who will contribute their Christmas drawings to create a large light display projected onto the pavement around Mercat de la Marina. This initiative aims to transform public spaces into collective works of light and creativity.
Notable buildings, including Convento de Sant Agustí, Centro Cívico Sagrada Familia, and Casa del Rellotge - Can Ferrero, will also be illuminated this year. The city will offer themed light tours across its ten districts, highlighting various festive lighting proposals, including routes through emblematic shops and illuminated fountains.
In addition, 255 light arches and 272 figures will be installed across twenty streets, along with illuminated structures in festive designs.
