Best Christmas and New Year markets in Barcelona

At Christmas, it's a Barcelona tradition to stroll round the Santa Llúcia market, which first set up its stalls in front of the Cathedral in 1786. Some go just to soak up the atmosphere. Others take the family to buy a tree, decorations, figures for the Nativity and everything else you could need to celebrate the season, from the traditional to the most modern. This year the market celebrates its 233rd anniversary, looking just as beautiful as ever, and you'll find nearly 300 stalls with traditional Christmas items and handmade toys. You'll also find a range of activities for all ages, such as the Giant Tió (pooping log) and a parade.

Until Dec 23

The Christmas Fair at the Sagrada Família has been around since the 1960s and has become one of the most traditional Christmas markets in the Eixample, with about 100 stalls selling Christmas trees and plants, Nativity scenes and figurines, gifts and decorations, and seasonal treats like 'turrons', cheeses, cold cuts, sweets and chestnuts. Not to mention that it adds to the whole seasonal feel by creating a picture-perfect Christmas card around the Sagrada Família itself.

Until Dec 23

The 'Fira de Reis' sets up its more than 200 stalls along Gran Via (between Muntaner and Rocafort), where you can find a wide range of quality products and 'almost' unique gifts for your last-minute Christmas or Kings' Day needs. You'll find the fair on from December 19 to January 6, every day from 10am to 9pm, except Saturdays, Sundays and the night before holidays, when it's open until 10pm. And the longest and most magical night is January 5, when the stalls will be open until 2am or 3am, depending on how many turn out for the sales.

Until Jan 5

Palo Market Fest brings you this alternative holiday market, on for three weekends in December and January, that encourages the consumption of local products by small creators over mass-produced objects from large companies. As always with Palo Market, you'll find beautiful designs, crafts and products. There will also be space for good food, featuring Menjamiques, who make recipes from Camp de Tarragona; Ed'Olive Oil, a company that takes Siurana oil and makes it into a design and luxury product; and artisan pizzas from Una Pizza Food. Live music gives a lively party feel to this outdoor market.

Until Jan 5

Käthe Wohlfahrt is Christmas spirit in a shop, like a trip to a traditional village dressed up in German-style ornaments. You'll find special ornaments like the wooden pyramids, as well as cuckoo clocks, nutcracker soldiers in all sizes, tin ornaments with hand-painted Christmas motifs, and blown glass decorations made specially for the Barcelona store (a taxi, the chimneys from Gaudí's Palau Güell, a Black Virgin, as seen in Montserrat). There are up to 5,000 items on the shelves so you can enjoy Christmas all year round.

Open year-round

The sea isn't only for summertime, but for Christmas as well, with the debut of this market fair at Port Vell that's located in front of the Columbus monument. At the market stalls you'll find Christmas decorations, food, crafts and gifts, as well as a gastro zone and a stage with entertainment throughout opening hours. Plus there's a giant tree, a show with light and music at the headquarters of the Barcelona Port, a floating nativity scene, and a classic merry-go-round for kids.

Until Jan 5

This year is the 18th of DelicARTessen, a select collection of small-format art you can appreciate (and some to buy). The exhibition features than 300 works including drawings, paintings, sculptures and photography by 80 artists. And thanks to the generosity and collaboration of all the artists, you might just find a piece or two you want to take home with you. These pieces are on sale for €100 each, and only during the exhibition.

Until Jan 10