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The best Christmas markets in Spain in 2023

The Local Spain
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The best Christmas markets in Spain in 2023
People queue at a churros at Christmas markets in Spain. Photo: CESAR MANSO / AFP

They may not have the prestige of their Central European counterparts, but Christmas markets are becoming more and more popular across Spain from smaller craft markets to the vast collection of stalls in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor.

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Whether you're looking for handicrafts to buy as gifts, some festive decorations for your house, a fresh Christmas tree or a new nativity figure for your Belén, Christmas markets in Spain are atmospheric places to visit at this time of year.

You will also find stalls selling practical jokes which Spanish people traditionally use to prank each other on Día de los Santos Inocentes on December 28th, the Spanish equivalent of April Fool’s Day.

They are of course also filled with glittering lights and an assortment of Christmas sweet treats, including warming chocolate con churros. Here are some of the best. 

Plaza Mayor, Madrid

From November 24th to December 31st, Madrid’s cobbled Plaza Mayor will be transformed into a Christmas market with 104 picturesque wooden cabin-style stalls dedicated to Christmas fare. This hundred-year-old Christmas market is definitely one of the best in the country. This is where you will find everything from Christmas trees and poinsettia to mistletoe, as well as hundreds of different traditional figures for nativity scenes alongside Christmas lights and outrageous wigs.

Madrid's Christmas market is on from November 24th to December 31st 2022. Photo: Barcex / WikiMedia Commons
 
 

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Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona

One of the oldest Christmas markets in Spain, the Fira de Santa Llúcia has been held annually since 1786 and today has more than 100 stalls. On from November 24th to December 23rd it's located in the Barrio Gótico in the square in front of Barcelona Cathedral.

This is the place to browse dozens of stalls selling everything from handmade Christmas gifts to Catalonia’s famous traditional Christmas customs, including the caganers. These little figures show a person squatting bare-bottomed to defecate and are included within nativity scenes as a symbol of fertility.

Also look out for stalls selling Tió de Nadal, another scatological Christmas tradition popular in Catalonia, which involves beating a smiley-faced log with a stick until it poops presents for all the children.

A caganer stall at Barcelona's Christmas market. Photo: Esme Fox

 

READ ALSO: The cities in Spain with the best Christmas lights

Navidad en Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza

From December 1st to January 7th, Zaragoza's Plaza del Pilar will be trasformed into a magical Christmas secne. It also includes a vast nativity scene (Belén) of over 8,000 metres squared in front of the Basilica del Pilar. 

The Belén retells the Christmas Story and there’s also a market that sells typical Christmas pastries, decorations and crafts. You’ll also find activities for children including a Santa Claus village.

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Feria del Belén, Sevilla

Seville's most famous Christmas market is one of the few Christmas markets in Spain dedicated solely to figurines, animals and buildings to add to your Belén or Nativity scene.

Held from October 28th to December 23rd this year, it takes place on Calle Fray Ceferino González and Avenida de la Constitución.

The city will also be setting up ice skating rinks for the festive season - there will be one on Muelle de las Delicias as part of the Sevilla On Ice thematic park on from November 30th until January 7th. 

This is the best market in Spain to buy pieces for your Nativity scene. Photo: Feria de Belen / Facebook

 

Mercado Santo Tomás, Bilbao

Blessed are the cheesemakers. Or rather those lucky enough to browse the stalls of local producers in Bilbao. While not strictly a Christmas market the Mercado Santo Tomás takes place on December 21st of the fest day of the same name and there's a special market to celebrate it in El Arenal and Plaza Nueva. 

Artisan products showcase the best Basque gastronomy including locally made cheeses, and preserved meats. Look out for talos con chorizo (like flat tortillas or pancakes wrapped around a chorizo sausage), sidra (cider) made from locally grown apples, and the local white wine, Txakoli.

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Mercado de Bib-Rambla, Granada

Granada’s traditional Christmas is held in the main plaza close to the imposing cathedral and will feature a range of stalls selling all the typical decorations you need to celebrate a Spanish Navidad, from nativity figures to handmade tree ornaments.

There will also be lots of opportunities to buy handmade Christmas gifts, from ceramics and jewellery to Christmas sweets and pastries. This year it's held from December 1st until January 6th. 

Mercado de Navidad de San Sebastián

San Sebastián's Christmas market is inspired by those that exist in central Europe such as Germany, complete with wooden cabins, twinkly lights and lots of tasty treats. As well as the stalls, there will be carol singers, concerts and Christmas shows. 

It will be held on the elegant Paseo del Urumea from December 1st until January 7th 2023 and this year will feature 56 stalls. 

San Sebastian Christmas Market

People shopping at the Mercado de Navidad Donostia-San Sebastián / Facebook

 

Mercado Navideño de Córdoba

Córdoba's Christmas market is held with the Association of Nativity Scene Makers of Córdoba meaning that it's mostly dedicated to Beléns or Nativity scenes, where you can buy all the figures and accessories you need for your own little Christmas model. Like last year it will be held in the Plaza de las Tendillas. What's new for this year, however, will be several attractions for children including a carrousel, a princess castle and a mini train. 

Everything will be on from November 24th until January 7th. 

Christmas Market Puerto Portals, Mallorca

This market is of the sort you might find in central Europe, with gluhwein stalls, roasted chestnuts and the heavy scent of gingerbread in the air. It's held at the glamorous Puerto Portals and this year will be on from December 14th until January 6th. 

You'll find a range of great Christmas gifts here including handicrafts, natural cosmetics and accessories. There are also performances from local choirs and theatre groups and the Christmassy atmosphere is completed with an ice rink.

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