On 21 December the sun sets over Barcelona at 5:25 pm, and the Christmas lights have already been on for an hour. Barcelona in December is mild and mostly dry, with average highs of 14.3 °C, and it is the heart of the Christmas season, from street lights and markets to a free New Year’s Eve show. It rains on just 4.4 days in the month. The catch is the calendar: 8, 25 and 26 December are public holidays, and in 2026 the last two fall on a Friday and Saturday.
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona? Yes, for Christmas atmosphere and mild weather. Average highs are 14.3 °C, it rains on about four days, and the lights stay on until 1 am. Book 19 to 23 December to see all five Christmas markets open at once, and avoid relying on shops on 25 and 26 December, back-to-back public holidays.
Barcelona weather in December
December is cool, sunny and fairly dry. Expect a high of about 14.3 °C and a low of 5.7 °C, 40 mm of rain over 4.4 days, 141 hours of sunshine and 7 clear days. Frost comes on about one day a month, and snow at sea level is almost unheard of.
The months either side frame it. November is milder, with highs of 17.3 °C, lows of 8.6 °C and 5.1 rainy days; January is colder, 13.6 °C and 4.7 °C, but drier and sunnier, with 151 hours of sun against 145 in November.
Daylight is the real limit. On 1 December the sun rises at 7:57 am and sets at 5:23 pm; by 21 December, the shortest day, it is 8:14 am to 5:25 pm, 9 hours 11 minutes of light. Plan outdoor sights between 10 am and 5 pm and keep museums and the lights for later.
Sunrise and sunset in Barcelona through December 2026
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 7:57 am | 5:23 pm | 9 h 25 min |
| 15 December | 8:10 am | 5:23 pm | 9 h 13 min |
| 21 December | 8:14 am | 5:25 pm | 9 h 11 min |
| 31 December | 8:17 am | 5:31 pm | 9 h 14 min |
For the full winter picture, including why hilltop viewpoints are often lost in fog, see Barcelona in winter.
What to pack for December
- A warm jacket for the evenings, when it drops towards 6 °C.
- Layers: a sweater over a T-shirt, because a 6 °C morning can turn into a 14 °C afternoon.
- Closed, comfortable shoes: the classic Christmas lights walk is about 3.7 km.
- A small umbrella, for the few rainy days; on wet ones, the rainy day guide has indoor plans.
Public holidays in December and what closes
December has four public holidays in Catalonia, and each changes what is open. In 2026 shops can also open on all four Sundays of December, a good fallback for Christmas shopping.
| Date in 2026 | Holiday | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 6 December | Constitution Day | Shops may open; first Sunday of the month, with free entry to around 15 museums |
| Tuesday 8 December | Immaculate Conception | Most shops close |
| Friday 25 December | Christmas Day | Most shops close |
| Saturday 26 December | Sant Esteve, a holiday only in Catalonia | Shops stay closed until Sunday 27 |
Christmas Eve, 24 December, is not a holiday, but the metro, buses and the rest of public transport run only until 11 pm. On 31 December the metro runs all night. The Christmas opening hours guide covers what opens on each date, and Barcelona in early December explains the 6 to 8 December long weekend day by day.
What’s on in Barcelona in December
December has five big Christmas plans, and four of them are free.
- Christmas lights, every night from 5:30 pm to 1 am, or 2 am on Fridays, Saturdays and 24, 25 and 31 December. The walking route is in the guide to Barcelona’s Christmas lights.
- Christmas markets, five in all, from the Fira de Santa Llúcia by the Cathedral to the Gran Via toy fair. Dates and metro stops are in the guide to Barcelona’s Christmas markets.
- Els Llums de Sant Pau, a ticketed light trail through the modernist hospital, €17.90 for an adult on a standard day; closed on 24 and 31 December.
- The Copa Nadal, a 200 m swim across the port at 11 am on 25 December, free to watch from Moll de la Fusta.
- New Year’s Eve, with the Cursa dels Nassos run at 5:15 pm and a free fireworks show at Montjuïc, at 11:50 pm last time. The full plan is in the guide to New Year’s Eve in Barcelona.
Which December dates to book
The best window is 19 to 23 December: all five markets are open at once, the lights are on and there are no holidays closing the shops.
The first week is calmer, and Sunday 6 adds free museums. Christmas week itself, 24 to 26, suits travellers who want the holidays rather than the shopping, since the traditional markets close on the 23rd. From 27 to 31 shops reopen, Port Vell and the Gran Via fair carry on, and the year ends at Montjuïc.
The market and event dates above are from last season; the 2026 dates come out in November.
Getting around and what is free
A T-casual ticket, 10 metro and bus rides for €13 in zone 1, is cheaper than single tickets at €2.90 each if you make more than four trips; the metro ticket guide compares the other passes.
Free in December: the lights, the five markets, the Copa Nadal, the New Year’s show and museums on Sunday 6, the first Sunday of the month; the free museum days guide lists which ones. Busy markets and light walks attract pickpockets, so read the Barcelona safety guide before you go.
What you might not like
- Sunset before 5:30 pm all month, so outdoor plans need an early start.
- A two-day shutdown on 25 and 26 December, a Friday and Saturday in 2026.
- The traditional markets close on 23 December, before Christmas week.
- No beach weather: the seafront is for walks, not swimming.
For Christmas traditions, the Three Kings and the rest of the season, see Barcelona at Christmas.
Staying past Three Kings? Next come the January sales, and for a proper winter day out, where to see snow near Barcelona.
Christmas Eve hour by hour is in Christmas Eve in Barcelona, and late November brings Black Friday in Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions about Barcelona in December
Is December a good time to visit Barcelona?
Yes, if you want Christmas atmosphere and mild weather without summer crowds. Highs average 14.3 °C and it rains on about four days in the month. Plan around the public holidays: on 25 and 26 December most shops close, and on 24 December public transport stops at 11 pm.
How cold is Barcelona in December?
Mild by northern European standards. Expect a high of about 14.3 °C and a low of 5.7 °C, with frost on about one day in the month and no snow at sea level. Nights drop to about 6 °C, so bring a warm jacket.
Is it sunny in Barcelona in December?
Fairly. December averages 141 hours of sunshine and 7 clear days but days are short: on 21 December the sun rises at 8:14 am and sets at 5:25 pm, just over nine hours of daylight.
What is closed in Barcelona in December?
Most shops close on the public holidays, 8, 25 and 26 December, unless they have free opening hours, like bakeries and convenience stores. In 2026, 25 and 26 December fall on a Friday and Saturday, and shops can reopen on Sunday 27. The 6th is also a holiday but falls on a Sunday.
Can you swim in the sea in Barcelona in December?
Few people do. With highs of about 14 °C, the beach is for walks rather than swimming, and the city’s lifeguard season ends in early October. A walk along the seafront on a sunny afternoon costs nothing.
December in Barcelona works best from 19 to 23 December, before the holidays close the shops.