Barcelona and Costa Dorada illuminate their streets to celebrate the arrival of Christmas

Christmas in Catalonia is a time full of magic, transforming towns and cities into scenes of light and joy. One of the most eagerly awaited moments for families and visitors alike is the switching on of the Christmas lights, a tradition that officially marks the beginning of the festivities. With this event, the streets fill with color, lighting up the atmosphere and awakening the Christmas spirit on every corner. In addition, many towns take advantage of the occasion to boost local commerce and tourism, creating an extra attraction for visitors of the region at this time of year. 

Some of the most important cities where you can enjoy the lights switch-on are, par excellence, Barcelona, as well as towns on Costa Dorada, such as Tarragona, Cambrils, Salou, Vila-seca and Reus, among many others. With BusPlana you can travel to all these destinations, thanks to our regular lines. You can check all the schedules on our website. Also, as we are the official airport shuttle, you can buy the official tickets online for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to Costa Dorada. 

All the latest news on the Barcelona lights switch-on  

This year, Barcelona will be filled with Christmas spirit from Thursday, 28th November, when the Christmas lights will illuminate the city with an even more spectacular and enveloping design. The lights will stretch over 110 kilometres of streets, including key areas such as Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça Urquinaona, Avinguda Paral·lel, Via Laietana and Passeig de Sant Joan, which was illuminated for the first time last year and which will once again host a comic-themed design created by the Brosmind studio. 

In addition, 14 iconic buildings, such as the Aigües del Besòs Tower, Casa Golferichs and the Vallcarca viaduct, will be illuminated, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city.  

One of the new features of 2024 is the installation of large light structures in the form of Christmas motifs, distributed throughout each district of Barcelona to bring the Christmas spirit to every neighborhood. Highlights include Rambla del Raval, Plaça de Sarrià, Plaça de les Corts, Plaça del Congrés Eucarístic and Avinguda Icària, among others. In total, 22 locations will feature these illuminated figures, designed especially for the city.  

This year, the lighting hours have also been extended: the lights will be on from 05:30 p.m. to 01:00 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and until 02:00 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the eve of public holidays, such as the 25th and the 31st of December and the 5th of January. This extension reflects Barcelona's commitment to provide a festive and welcoming atmosphere throughout the season. 

Likewise, you can't miss the magnificent show that Casa Batlló has prepared, which, as every year, illuminates its façade with lights and bright colors. Additionally, inside, you will find the night-time experience ‘A Winter Night’, a journey through the history of this place and the people who lived there in the past. 

Tarragona's Rambla Nova welcomes Christmas  

Tarragona will also light up its streets this Thursday, 28th November, from 06:30 p.m., with a very emotional event next to the Christmas tree located next to the Font del Centenari, on the Rambla Nova. The event will be kicked off by pupils from La Floresta and Marenostrum schools, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of these two schools, who will perform the children's show ‘El Nadal més dolç’ (The sweetest Christmas). 

The Christmas lighting, all LED technology, can be enjoyed until the 7th of January, from the afternoon until midnight. It should also be noted that 13 streets will have new lighting designs, and the last stretch of the Rambla Nova, as far as the Paseo de las Palmeras, will also have its own lighting. 

The long-awaited Reus Christmas tree  

If you visit Reus this Thursday 28th, you can also enjoy the Christmas lights switch-on with the ‘Diamants caiguts del cel’, a magnificent colors and music show that will take place in Plaça del Mercadal, the nerve center of the city.   

Throughout the town, you will find numerous illuminated Christmas elements, such as, for example, the sphere of light in Plaça de la Llibertat; the ‘Un Nadal Rodó’ space, with illustrated stories; and the two-story carousel in Plaça del Prim; in addition to the usual street lighting.  

Lights switch-on in other towns on Costa Dorada  

Cambrils has prepared a very nice event for families and children in the town, with readings of Christmas wishes, carol singing by the choirs of Cambrils’ Municipal School of Music, and hot chocolate for all attendees. Besides, right after, the inauguration of a traditional Catalan nativity scene, recreated by the Associació d'Antics Alumnes de La Salle, will take place. All these events will be held this Friday, 29th November, from 06:00 p.m., in the Plaça de l’Ajuntament of Cambrils.  

In the case of Salou, this coastal town has also scheduled its lights switch-on, this Friday the 29th, by the characters Lolli and Pop, who will enliven the event. There will be a carol sing-along with the Cor Infantil and the Cor Mitjà from Salou’s Municipal Music School; the lighting show, with Nou Estil and the Follets Fantasia; and, finally, hot chocolate with ‘coca’ and gifts for all those attending. This event will be held from 07:00 p.m. onwards, at the junction of Barcelona Street and Via Roma.  

Lastly, the municipality of Vila-seca will kick off the Christmas season with the switching on of the lights this Friday, 29th of November, at 05:30 p.m. in the Riera Park. From this day onwards, you can walk around the town to find the different lighting elements scattered around the streets. 

The Christmas lights switch-on marks the beginning of one of the most beautiful times of the year. This event not only transforms the cityscape but invites everyone to enjoy strolling through the illuminated streets and immersing themselves in a unique festive atmosphere. Enjoy this magnificent time in Barcelona and in towns on Costa Dorada, such as Tarragona, Cambrils, Salou, Vila-seca and Reus, among many others. Remember that with BusPlana you can travel to all these destinations, thanks to our regular lines. You can check all the schedules on our website. In addition, as we are the official airport shuttle, you can buy the official tickets online for your transfer from Barcelona Airport to Costa Dorada.