When December comes, many villages in Catalonia are transformed: living nativity scenes in medieval streets, Christmas tree fairs, Christmas markets and tió festivals. They make the perfect trip for a Saturday or a long weekend, and almost all are less than two hours from Barcelona.
Here are the ones most worth it, grouped by type of plan. A note on dates: most villages have not published their 2026 dates yet, so I give the 2025 dates as a guide. I will update them as soon as they come out.
The basics
Living nativity scenes: Corbera de Llobregat, Santa Pau, Bàscara, Castell d’Aro and Tona
Christmas markets and fairs: Vic, Girona, Olot, Espinelves, Caldes de Montbui and Canyelles
With kids: the tions of Mura
By train: Vic and Girona
Living nativity scenes
Corbera de Llobregat, the closest to Barcelona
The Pessebre Vivent de Corbera de Llobregat is one of the most visited in Catalonia and has been running since 1962. It is a guided route of about 700 metres across the Penya del Corb mountainside. It is about half an hour’s drive from Barcelona, so it is the easiest one for an afternoon.
- In 2025: from 29 November to 10 January, several days a week and on public holidays, with afternoon sessions.
- Price in 2025: €17 general, €12 reduced and free for under-6s.
- Tickets are sold online only, on the nativity scene’s website. They recommend arriving an hour early.
Santa Pau, a medieval village turned into a nativity scene
In Santa Pau, in the Garrotxa, the nativity scene fills the whole medieval old town, with more than 40 scenes and over 100 volunteer villagers. You walk it at your own pace and there are craft and sweet stalls.
- In 2026: 5 and 6 December, at 19:00, according to its official website.
- Tickets are sold online. It is very close to Olot, so you can combine it with the Olot nativity fair.
Bàscara, on the banks of the Fluvià
The Bàscara nativity scene, in the Alt Empordà, is one of the oldest in Catalonia and has more than 300 performers. The route starts in Plaça de la Vila, crosses the old town and continues along the Fluvià river.
- In 2025: 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 December and 1, 3 and 4 January, at 19:00.
- Price in 2025: €8 adults and €4 for ages 6 to 12.
Castell d’Aro, the veteran
The Castell d’Aro nativity scene, in the Baix Empordà, has been held since 1959 and bills itself as the oldest living nativity scene in Catalonia. It is a 1.5 km route, about an hour long, through the old town and the La Coma neighbourhood.
- In 2025: 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 December and 1 January, at 19:00.
- Price in 2025: €6 adults and €3 for ages 4 to 13.
Tona, with dialogue below the castle
The Pessebre Vivent d’Osona, in Tona, is a nativity scene with movement and dialogue, at the foot of the castle, performed since 1972.
- In 2025: 21, 25, 26 and 28 December and 1, 4, 6 and 11 January, in the afternoon.
- Price in 2025: €10 general, €3 for ages 6 to 13 and free for under-5s. Tickets were sold at the box office.
Christmas markets and fairs
Vic, the medieval market
The Vic Medieval Market fills the old town with more than 400 stalls, street parades, music and taverns. Throughout the holidays there is also a craft fair in the Plaça Major. It is easy to reach on the Rodalies R3.
- In 2025: the medieval market ran from 6 to 8 December, 10:00 to 20:00, and the craft fair from 6 December to 4 January.
- Free.
Girona, the Christmas market and the Barri Vell lights
The Girona Christmas Market is set up in Plaça de la Independència, with crafts, nativity figures, wooden toys, Christmas trees and tions. It pairs well with a walk through the lit-up Barri Vell. By regional train or AVE.
- In 2025: from 28 November to 5 January, 10:30 to 21:00, closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
- Free.
Espinelves, the Christmas tree fair
The Fira de l’Avet in Espinelves, in Osona, is the best-known Christmas tree fair in Catalonia: about 120 stalls and thousands of trees, plus crafts, charcuterie, cheese and turrón. There is no train, so you need a car.
- In 2026: from 28 November to 8 December, according to its official website.
- Free entry.
Olot, the city of nativity figures
Olot is the city of the imatgers, the sculptors of nativity figures. At its Fira del Pessebre the craftspeople show and sell their figures, and there is also a local Christmas market.
- In 2025: 6 to 8 December, 10:00 to 20:00, between Carrer Sant Esteve and Plaça del Carme.
- Free. You can combine it with the Santa Pau nativity scene.
Caldes de Montbui, the biggest broth
The Caldes de Montbui Christmas Market, in the Vallès Oriental, has a unique tradition: a Christmas broth made with the town’s thermal water and cooked over wood in a giant pot. There are craft stalls, music and a giant tió.
- In 2025: 5 to 8 December, around Plaça de la Font del Lleó, with broth tastings on several days.
- Free entry.
Canyelles, the Santa Llúcia fair
The Fira de Santa Llúcia de Canyelles, in the Garraf, brings together more than 350 stalls, children’s workshops, a giant tió and storytelling in the castle.
- In 2025: 29 and 30 November.
With kids, the tions of Mura
Mura, a medieval village inside the Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park, fills up at Christmas with about 60 tions dressed up as trades and characters, placed around streets, squares and balconies. There are children’s workshops and craft stalls.
- In 2025: weekends and public holidays between 6 December and 6 January.
- It gets very busy and the council publishes traffic restrictions, so go early.
Summary
| Village | What’s on | Dates | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corbera de Llobregat | Living nativity scene | In 2025, 29 Nov to 10 Jan | €17 in 2025 |
| Santa Pau | Living nativity scene | 5 and 6 Dec 2026 | Ticketed |
| Bàscara | Living nativity scene | In 2025, 21 Dec to 4 Jan | €8 in 2025 |
| Castell d’Aro | Living nativity scene | In 2025, 21 Dec to 1 Jan | €6 in 2025 |
| Tona | Living nativity scene | In 2025, 21 Dec to 11 Jan | €10 in 2025 |
| Vic | Medieval market | In 2025, 6 to 8 Dec | Free |
| Girona | Christmas market | In 2025, 28 Nov to 5 Jan | Free |
| Espinelves | Christmas tree fair | 28 Nov to 8 Dec 2026 | Free |
| Olot | Nativity fair | In 2025, 6 to 8 Dec | Free |
| Caldes de Montbui | Market and Christmas broth | In 2025, 5 to 8 Dec | Free |
| Canyelles | Santa Llúcia fair | In 2025, 29 and 30 Nov | Free |
| Mura | Tions around the village | In 2025, weekends 6 Dec to 6 Jan | Free |
If you would rather stay in the city, Christmas in Barcelona covers the lights, the markets and the Fira de Santa Llúcia. For the December long weekend, see the December long weekend in Barcelona, and for more trips, the most beautiful villages in Catalonia, the most beautiful villages in Girona and villages near Barcelona for a day trip.
Know another village that shines at Christmas? Message me on Instagram @barcelonainspira and I will add it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most Christmassy villages in Catalonia
For living nativity scenes, Corbera de Llobregat, Santa Pau, Bàscara, Castell d’Aro and Tona. For Christmas markets and fairs, Vic, Girona, Olot, Espinelves, Caldes de Montbui and Canyelles. And with kids, Mura, which fills its streets with tions.
Which living nativity scene is closest to Barcelona
Corbera de Llobregat, in the Baix Llobregat, about half an hour’s drive from Barcelona. It is one of the most visited in Catalonia and has been running since 1962. In 2025 tickets cost 17 euros and were sold online only.
When is the Espinelves Christmas tree fair 2026
According to its official website, from 28 November to 8 December 2026. It is the best-known Christmas tree fair in Catalonia and entry is free.
Which Christmas villages in Catalonia can you reach by train from Barcelona
Vic, on the Rodalies R3 line, and Girona, by regional train or high-speed AVE. Both have a Christmas market in the centre, a short walk from the station.
