Barcelona lights up: the prelude to Christmas

When lights awaken the city

At the end of November, Barcelona officially lights up its Christmas decorations — a long-awaited moment for both locals and visitors. This year, the switch-on will fill the city’s main avenues with color, from Passeig de Gràcia to Portal de l’Àngel, passing through Gran Via and Plaça de Sant Jaume.

Each neighborhood shines with its own interpretation of Christmas: more sustainable, more artistic, and above all, more human. The lights not only mark the beginning of the festive season, but also that collective shift in mood that turns everyday life into celebration.

Strolling through the city during these weeks means letting yourself be wrapped in its atmosphere: modernist buildings shimmer with golden reflections, and the façades of the Eixample glow under the gaze of passersby.

“Every year, the lights change, but the feeling remains the same: the city seems to light up more than just its streets.”

Markets that announce the arrival of winter

The first Christmas markets also appear at the end of November. The most emblematic one, the Mercat de Santa Llúcia, has been set up in front of the Cathedral for more than two centuries. Among stalls filled with nativity figures, fir branches, and warm lights, there’s an atmosphere that blends tradition and joy.

At the Mercat de Nadal de la Sagrada Família, stands of handmade crafts and traditional sweets fill the air with unmistakable aromas — nougat, cinnamon, and freshly baked cookies. It’s the perfect place to get lost for an afternoon, discover unique gifts, and enjoy the gentle murmur of people strolling unhurriedly.

And if it rains — because November also brings light showers that freshen the air — there’s always the option of taking shelter in one of the city’s historic cafés or at the Hotel Pulitzer’s lobby bar, where the city seems to keep beating to a different rhythm.

The art of calm before the bustle

Before December floods everything with celebrations and wish lists, November offers a unique opportunity to rediscover Barcelona at a slower pace. It’s the perfect month to wander through the Gothic Quarter, visit an exhibition at MACBA, or enjoy the autumn sun from a terrace in El Raval.

At Hotel Pulitzer, that tranquil spirit is felt among the warm tones of the interiors and the greenery of the urban patio that stays vibrant all year round. It’s a refuge where the city’s rhythm softens, and every detail invites you to enjoy the present — an afternoon coffee, a glass of wine as night falls, or an unhurried conversation away from the noise.

“November is the month of small pleasures: lighting a candle, gazing out the window, and letting yourself be carried away by the city’s gentler rhythm.”

Inner light

When the streets light up, so do our desires to share, reconnect, and celebrate. At Pulitzer Barcelona, the winter season begins with that same spirit — warm, vibrant, and full of positive energy.

Because beyond the lights, the markets, and the city’s outward glow, there’s a more important light — the one that shines from within.

The one that moves us to gather, to raise a glass, to enjoy every moment as if it were the first.

And November, with its gentle brightness, is the perfect time to begin.