Tourism

At the two Christmas fairs in the Eixample, the lights were funded by the tourism tax (IEET) with the aim of promoting cultural activities and initiatives that help to diversify tourism in the region.

Barcelona switched on the Christmas lights of all the city’s streets and squares on Thursday from Passeig de Gràcia, which this year is celebrating its 200th anniversary. This year the city has 104 km of streets with lights, which can be seen until 6 January. Following the switching on of the lights, the Christmas Tour took its first trip round the city, on a route that takes in the main lit-up streets. The tour will be running until 4 January, with departure times between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm, and an approximate duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes. This year’s route includes Passeig de Sant Joan, which is lit up for the first time this season, along the stretch between Avinguda de Vilanova and Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. For the next three years, the design of the lighting for this new stretch will be carried out by Barcelona-based studio Brosmind, run by brothers Juan and Alejandro Mingarro, which was selected through a tender organised by the ADI-FAD design association.

The switch-on was preceded by the show Astronòmica, a visual story featuring circus, music dance and light, by Obskené in collaboration with Big Band Mambo Jambo and Swing Cats. The inspiration for the show was the female scientist Assumpció Català (1925-2009), a mathematician, educator and researcher who was the first female astronomer from the Iberian Peninsula. Among other recognitions, she received the Creu de Sant Jordi and represented Spain in the International Astronomical Union.

For the City Council and other organisations that see Christmas lights as one of the most effective measures for promoting shopping at local establishments, these lights are a key element for supporting the recovery of the city’s retail sector, particularly the shops in the city centre, during the Christmas period.

Furthermore, the Sagrada Família Christmas Fair and the Three Kings Fair on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes will be dazzling visitors with new artistic attractions, funded by the Tax on Stays in Tourist Establishments (IEET). At the Sagrada Família Christmas Fair, the artistic concept consists of a star broken down into five elements that will be installed at ground level so people can interact with them. Observed from a certain angle, they look like a complete star. The illuminated elements will be located on the central boulevard of the Sagrada Família park, between C/Provença and C/Sicília, creating reflections during the day and light by night and without interfering with the commercial activity of the stalls. At the Three Kings Fair on Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, there will be two interactive illuminated elements where people can make wishes and take photos with their mobiles. The pieces are inspired by children’s stacking toys, and feature large-scale geometric shapes located at the intersections of Gran Via and C/Comte Urgell and C/Comte Borrell next to the bicycle lane, leaving space for pedestrians. The Christmas lights will be adding a sparkle to the streets until 6 January 2024.