The Fira de Santa Llúcia and the Caganer
It is a time-honoured tradition for people to go to the Fira de Santa Llúcia to buy their Christmas tree, new figures for the Nativity scene and all kinds of Christmas decorations. The Fira de Santa Llúcia is a historic Christmas market and was once known as the “girls’ fair” as groups of young girls would dress up smartly and go in search of a suitor while it was being held. The fair is a great opportunity to buy a caganer, a curious crouching figure answering a call of nature who is a traditional part of the Nativity scene. Although his presence may come as a surprise, the caganer is a symbol of health and prosperity, of giving something back to the soil.

Caga Tió
The Tió is a magical part of our Christmas celebrations. At the Fira de Santa Llúcia people traditionally choose a log, and decorate it with eyes, a nose and a smiley face. The Tió sports a traditional red Catalan cap, the barretina, and is covered in a blanket. Every day until 24th December we feed the Tió bread, biscuits, fruit and water. On Christmas Eve the youngest members of the family, and grown-ups too, beat the Tió with a stick, sing a special song and the much-deserved Christmas presents pop out from under him. This year, at the Fira de Santa Llúcia, you’ll find a gigantic Tió so you’ll be able to experience this Christmas tradition first hand. On 24th December you’ll be able to beat him with a stick and enjoy one of the most enjoyable sights of Christmas with your family.

Christmas Day and Saint Stephen’s Day
On 25th and 26th December we gather round the table to celebrate Christmas. Tradition dictates that on Christmas Day we eat a special broth known as escudella which contains giant pasta shells filled with carn d’olla, the meat cooked in the broth. On 26th December, Saint Stephen’s Day, we eat cannelloni made from the carn d’olla left-overs. The dish consists of pasta stuffed with the meat in a béchamel sauce topped with cheese and browned under the grill. The meal is rounded off with cava and sweet nougats, or torrons, to celebrate the magic of Christmas around the table.

Cursa dels Nassos
A fitting way to see out the old year is the Cursa dels Nassos. Held on 31st December, this 10 km fun run is named after a mythical Catalan figure, the home dels nassos, or man with the noses. He has 365 of them, as many noses as there are days of the year. On New Year’s Eve he only has one nose left and that’s why he can go out among the crowds unnoticed.

The Three Kings
The Three Kings arrive on 5th January. Before they begin delivering their presents, you’ll be able to welcome them and see their spectacular procession, the Cavalcada dels Reis, through the streets of Barcelona. Children have to go to bed early to give the Kings time to deliver the eagerly awaited gifts. The children who haven’t been good during the year receive dreaded pieces of coal, but in sweet form. And don’t forget to leave out some food and drink for the Kings and their camels. They’ve got at a long night’s work ahead of them!