Christmas markets in Spain
The markets have become another Christmas attraction in Spain. Searching for special gifts among beautiful wooden stalls in central squares, on riverbanks, promenades and other charming areas of Spanish cities and villages is a December tradition. The blend of Christmas scents, colours and flavours is the essence of these markets, where the sound of traditional Christmas carols is ever-present.Would you like to know which are some of the most unique Christmas markets in Spain?
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Barcelona
Next to Barcelona Cathedral, the city's main Christmas market - the Santa Llúcia Fair - is set up from late November. Over 200 stalls selling Christmas trees and decorative items; fashion accessories, ceramics, jewellery and costume jewellery; zambombas, tambourines and other Christmas instruments. Choir performances, storytelling sessions and parades are also scheduled during this period.During this period, Barcelona also hosts the Sagrada Familia Christmas Fair, which is held in the square in front of the famous basilica. Meanwhile, the Fira de Reyes begins in mid-December, runs until 6 January and is held on the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes. At both, you’ll find stalls selling decorations, gifts, Christmas trees, crafts and food products.
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Bilbao
Fashion and jewellery, Basque cuisine products, toys and Christmas decorations can be found in around twenty booths on the Bilbao estuary, on the Ripa dock. In addition, Gabonart, the Christmas Craft Fair, takes place next to the Arriaga Theatre in mid-December. Another very popular culinary event that complements Bilbao’s Christmas market is the Santo Tomás Fair – on 21 December – where local produce such as cider, chorizo, cheese and txakoli wine take centre stage.
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Granada
In the central squares of Fuente de las Batallas and Bib-Rambla between December to 6 January you can visit the nearly 70 stalls of the Granada Christmas Market, where you can buy Christmas decorations, typical sweets, crafts, books, plants and cosmetic products.Additionally, in Plaza de Bib-Rambla, you will find the traditional nativity scene market.
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Madrid
Decorations and all kinds of Nativity figurines, Christmas musical instruments, toys, sweets and... joke items! More than a hundred stalls await you from the end of November to 31 December at the Christmas market in the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, a few metres from the Puerta del Sol square, which houses the historic clock that chimes out the last night of the year for the whole of Spain.Other seasonal markets in Madrid include: The Plaza de España Christmas market, running from mid-November, and featuring crafts, a food court (including the traditional churros with hot chocolate) and an ice rink. And the Region of Madrid craft market, on Paseo de Recoletos, where you can buy jewellery, costume jewellery, toys, ceramics and textile creations.
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Málaga
The Christmas market at Muelle Uno, in the port of Málaga, invites you to seek inspiration by the sea to find the most original gifts. Local food and cold meats, decorations, crafts and fashion… Charming strolls and shopping amongst the market stalls at dusk from late November to early January.Meanwhile, on the Paseo del Parque you’ll find the city’s oldest market, selling nativity scene figures, decorations, books, turrón and other traditional sweets. It is usually open until 7 January.
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Majorca
The Puerto Portals market has dozens of wooden stalls with original decoration items, accessories and wooden toys, among others. There’s also a packed programme of activities, including an ice rink and plenty of places to eat, so you can take a break between shopping trips.Another great option in Palma is the Fira de Nadal i Reis. From late November until 6 January, you’ll find home décor items and plenty of gift ideas. The stalls are spread out across La Rambla, Plaça Major and Parc de ses Estacions.
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San Sebastián
Around 65 stalls along the Urumea River in a unique environment. The San Sebastián Christmas market, open from December to the first week of January, also features a number of parallel cultural and gastronomic activities.
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Santiago de Compostela
About 70 stalls selling Christmas decorations, gourmet products and crafts (jewellery, wood, ceramics, glass, leather, toys, textiles, and design) make up the Nadal Market in Santiago de Compostela, located on Rua Carreira dos Condes, with creative spaces where different workshops are held for people of all ages.
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Seville
The Seville Craft Market, very close to La Giralda and the Cathedral, has more than 80 stalls with crafts, Christmas items and sweets. It organises events with hot chocolate and snacks for everyone, and other entertainment activities for the little ones, from mid-December to the first week of January. It also has a food court where you can sample typical Sevillian dishes.Next to the Cathedral, the Nativity Scene Fair is also being held until the end of December, where you can buy everything you need for your nativity scene, including figurines, as well as accessories and other gifts. And the Alameda de Hércules is hosting Inverland, a themed area where, as well as an ice rink, there are marquees housing craft stalls and a range of dining options.
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Valencia
Next to the Valencia Science Museum, from mid-December until the first week of January, you'll find the Ciutat de les Arts Christmas Market, where craft markets and stalls selling Christmas items are interspersed with a variety of street food stalls and children’s activities such as puppet shows, storytelling and the collection of letters for the Three Kings and Father Christmas.Meanwhile, Valencia’s historic quarter hosts the ‘Christmas market’, where you can find dozens of stalls selling crafts, fashion and food.
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Zaragoza
In addition to a huge Nativity scene and a large skating rink, the Plaza del Pilar hosts a Christmas market with more than 40 stalls selling crafts, jewellery, toys, clothes, decorations and food. Santa's House and the Wishing Tree are other attractions found in the area surrounding the Basilica del Pilar. And with food taking centre stage, the market in the Parque Grande José Antonio Labordeta is highly recommended, with stalls offering a wide variety of food, as well as shows and other activities.
In short, cozy outdoor spaces where you can buy interesting souvenirs or simply enjoy the atmosphere and experience the fullness of the Christmas festivities.
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