If this year you are studying in Catalonia or in one of the Unihabit university residences, you cannot miss how Christmas is experienced in Barcelona 2025.
In this guide we explain when the Christmas lights in Barcelona 2025 are switched on, the most important dates in the Christmas calendar and the Catalan traditions that you must experience at least once while studying here.
Barcelona at Christmas 2025: key dates and calendar
Christmas 2025 in Catalonia officially begins with the lighting of the Christmas lights at the end of November and lasts until the arrival of the Three Wise Men in January. The streets fill with colour, the Christmas markets open their doors and the festive atmosphere can be felt in every corner.
From the Unihabit university residences, we offer a guide for the university student who does not want to miss the most magical days of the Christmas holidays.
Take your calendar and note all those traditions you can’t miss!
Christmas Calendar in Catalonia
- 22 November: Switching on of the Christmas lights in Barcelona
- 24th December: Christmas Eve and Cagar el Tió (Christmas Cake)
- 25th December: Christmas Day
- 26th December: Saint Stephen’s Day
- 28th December: Saint Innocents
- 31 December: New Year’s Eve
- 1st January: New Year’s Day
- 5 January: Epiphany Parade
- 6 January: Epiphany
Traditions in Barcelona Christmas 2025
Christmas Eve and Cagar el Tió – December 24th
For many, Christmas Eve symbolises the arrival of Father Christmas. However, for many Catalan children there is a more important and magical figure: the Tió. A tradition that is only celebrated in Catalonia, but which has become known all over the world. So if you are a university student in Barcelona, Girona, Sant Cugat or Manresa, you can’t miss it.
A few days before the 24th of December at night, each family builds a Tió, with a wooden trunk. The little ones give it food so that the Tió grows bigger and bigger (which means presents and more presents!). On the night of 24th December, with the whole family, they celebrate the tradition by singing around the Tió while hitting it with a stick. The best surprise is that the Tió shits presents!
Christmas Day – 25th December
Christmas Day, as is customary in other countries that celebrate this Christian holiday, falls on 25 December. Normally, in Catalonia, everyone gets together to eat with the family and celebrate Christmas with a delicious meal!
The most typical menu for Christmas Day is escudella, carn d’olla or sopa de galets as a first course and stuffed chicken, meat in sauce or cannelloni as a second course, but don’t forget to leave room for dessert! Finish the meal enjoying the typical Christmas sweets such as nougat, wafers, polvorones, panettone, etc. And finally, toast with cava!
And if you are one of those who can’t wait to open the presents, after the meal will be the best moment.
St. Stephen’s Day – 26 December
If the Christmas meal is not enough, the day after is St. Stephen’s Day. At this meal, you can still enjoy your family, whether you celebrate Christmas Day with them or not.
The Three Wise Men arrive – 5 and 6 January
The Three Wise Men parade from the East, with all the gifts they leave for fireplaces and balconies, is a tradition that not only enchants children, but also adults, whether you are a university student or a spontaneous visitor.
If you are a student at Unihabit, whether in Barcelona, Girona, Sant Cugat or Manresa, on 5 January you can enjoy a spectacular Three Kings parade. And if you’ve behaved well this year, don’t forget to go to bed early to open your presents on the morning of January 6th!
The Christmas lights in Barcelona 2025: dates and must-see places
One of the most anticipated moments is the lighting of the Christmas lights in Barcelona 2025, which is scheduled for 22 November. From that date onwards, the city transforms into a spectacle of light and colour.
Places to enjoy the 2025 Christmas lights:
- Passeig de Gràcia: the most elegant lights in the city.
- Portal de l’Àngel: the epicentre of Christmas shopping.
- Plaça Catalunya: with a giant tree and activities.
- La Rambla and El Born: the perfect atmosphere for a walk and a hot chocolate.
- Sagrada Família: its market and decorations are a classic.
If you want to discover more activities, markets and original plans to enjoy the city during the holidays, don’t miss our article Things to do in Barcelona at Christmas.
Experience Christmas in Barcelona 2025 from the Unihabit halls of residence
Whether you are staying at our Unihabit Barcelona, Unihabit Girona, Unihabit Sant Cugat or Unihabit Manresa residence halls, you will be able to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere that is already beginning to appear in the different cities. In addition, you and your colleagues will enjoy decorating the residence hall with Christmas decorations and, why not organise a Christmas dinner before the Christmas holidays?
