Every year, I like to post about what Barcelona looks like at Christmas. Spoiler alert: it’s pretty amazing. I’m a little obsessed with holiday lights – maybe that’s because I grew up in a city with one of the best displays of lights in the world. Yep, Riverside, California is way more than just the world capital of meth production! (Another one of our noted accomplishments. Ha).
Here’s what my city looks like at the holidays, for the record:
Anyway, in the spirit of Christmas, here’s a little photo tour of Barcelona’s light displays this year.
The red and white lights on Passeig de Gràcia (the fanciest street in the city) are actually an homage to Gaudí. The hanging chains of lights mimic a technique he used to figure out how to create fantastic shapes for his buildings. Only instead of Christmas lights, he used weighted chains.
The other standout lights this year are the ones on Gran Vía, which are words sounding out holiday sounds, like “fum fum fum” (It’s in a traditional Catalan holiday song) and “xin xin xin” (for the words for cheers).
The ribbon running down Carrer de Balmes is a classic, as are the glittering trees on Las Ramblas.
As the season gets colder, it’s nice to have a spot of bright light to make things look cheerier. The dark, chilly streets in the Gothic Quarter magically become charming little pathways with the help of a few bright lights. When it rains, the city fills up with wonderful reflections in the pooling water, which bounces light all around the darkest corners of Barcelona.
I still hate the colder winters in Barcelona, but the colorful lights make adjusting to the chill a little bit better. And for a few weeks, I get to escape and enjoy the California sunshine (and light displays, too). It’s really not a bad deal at all.
If you’re feeling in the holiday spirit, why not check out my complete guide to Christmas in Barcelona? Here are the links:
- What to do in Barcelona at Christmas Time
- Barcelona Christmas Market
- Barcelona’s Holiday Decorations (a video tour)
- Barcelona’s Most Unusual Holiday Traditions
- Holiday Sweets in Barcelona
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone! Or, as they say in Barcelona, feliç Nadal and bones festes!
Plus, here’s our Christmas card this year:
Besos!
-Jess
Colder winters, Northern England has colder summers than Barcelona has colder winters.
Anyway, jealous, favourite city in the world that i’ve been to and lst visit and next visit (a year between) is longest i’ve been away from barcelona in 14 years.`
Maybe, but I had a guy from Holland tell me it feels colder in Barcelona than Amsterdam because of the humidity! And if you’re used to California winters, anything is cold (including northern England summers haha). 🙂
Hope you get to come back soon!
I can’t believe the lights in your hometown, they are unreal! The lights in Barcelona seem beautiful as well, thanks for sharing. Happy holidays 🙂
Same to you, Jessica! And happy New Year. 🙂
…I’m lovin’ your family’s Christmas Card–here’s hoping you all had a very Merry one (btw, Zaragoza had some decent displays, as well, 😉 http://wp.me/p33whf-1jF )…
Same to you! And Happy New Year. 🙂
Just came back from Barcelona, where i was for New Year’s eve, but decided to stay for longer. City was so nicely decorated with lights and the weather were just perfect!
Ahh I know all about deciding to stay for longer! First it was six weeks longer, and then I moved to the city! 😀