Everything you need to know about the switching on of Barcelona’s Christmas lights
If you are planning to come to Barcelona to enjoy the Christmas lights switch-on, in this article we will give you all the details and some tips so that you can enjoy the experience to the fullest and in the most comfortable way possible.
When will the Christmas lights be switched on in Barcelona in 2025?
The official switching on of the Christmas lights in Barcelona 2025 is scheduled for Saturday 22 November. This year, the switching on of the lights has been brought forward and will take place at the weekend, instead of on the Thursday before Black Friday as has been the case in recent years.
Don’t forget this!
- Christmas lights switch-on date: Saturday, 22 November 2025
- Approximate time: 6:30 p.m.
Where can I watch the lighting of Barcelona’s Christmas lights?
It is customary to enjoy the switching on of the Christmas lights on Paseo de Gràcia, where year after year, the lighting on this street undoubtedly takes centre stage.
In recent years, the Christmas lighting on Paseo de Gràcia has included large 3D stars, 35 in the central lane and 60 in 2D on the sides.
The event usually features a free opening ceremony, which includes an artistic performance, live music and appearances by public figures. In 2024, the show called ‘Solvern’ featured 28 performers, five stages, visual effects and smoke.
However, Paseo de Gràcia is not the only place in Barcelona that is decorated with Christmas lights. In fact, the entire city, all its neighbourhoods and a large number of streets are decorated with Christmas lights, each with its own personality and distinctiveness.
Some streets in Barcelona that also stand out for their Christmas decorations and lighting are Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Portal de l’Àngel, the shopping street par excellence, ideal for combining shopping and lights, Rambla de Catalunya and the Sagrada Familia, where the surroundings of the basilica offer magical views during this time of year.
In addition, 28 new sections of streets in the neighbourhoods of Ciutat Vella, Sants, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sant Andreu and Sant Martí will be illuminated, and Christmas lights will once again adorn the façades of the 39 municipal markets, more than fifty ornamental fountains throughout the city, and the Mestral and Gregal quays of the new Olympic Port.
Recommendations for viewing the lighting of Barcelona’s Christmas lights
If you plan to visit Paseo de Gràcia or the centre of Barcelona to enjoy the lighting ceremony on Saturday, 22 November, we have some tips for you as locals that will help you enjoy the light show in greater comfort.
A good idea is to plan a walking route along the city’s main streets to enjoy the light show to the fullest, such as Plaza Catalunya, Portal de l’Àngel, Paseo de Gràcia, Diagonal, and ending at the Sagrada Familia.
We advise you to try to avoid using your own vehicle, as traffic will be restricted throughout the city on the day the lights are switched on, making it difficult to find parking. We therefore recommend using public transport, mainly the underground, as it is not affected by traffic restrictions. If you have no option but to come by car or motorbike, remember to leave plenty of time so that you are not affected by traffic restrictions, or park in the outskirts of Barcelona city centre.
If you want to avoid the crowds and traffic jams that occur on the day the lights are switched on, we recommend coming on any other day, as the Christmas lights will be on until 6 January 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on special days, i.e. 24, 25 and 31 December and 5 January.
In addition, during this season, the Barcelona Tourist Bus usually offers special tours of the city’s main illuminated streets.
The best places to take photos with Christmas lights in Barcelona
If you come to see the Christmas lights, you can’t leave without taking a photo for your social media. In that case, don’t miss these spots: Paseo de Gràcia, Plaza Reial, Sagrada Familia, El Born and the Gothic Quarter.
Bonus tip! The perfect time to capture the lights is between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., when the sky still has a twilight blue hue.
In conclusion, the switching on of the Christmas lights in Barcelona is much more than a symbolic act: it is the beginning of a magical season that transforms the city.
Whether you live here or are visiting the city, don’t miss this time of year that combines art, tradition and joy. We hope this blog has helped you plan your visit to Barcelona during the 2025 Christmas lights switch-on.