Barcelona Christmas lights to be switched on November 26

It's that most wonderful time of year again.

Barcelona will switch on its Christmas lights this year on Thursday, November 26, in a cermony held on Passeig de Gràcia.  

However, the situation around Plaça Catalunya has been a question mark for the authorities regarding these festive decorations, due to the ongoing camp-out of housing activists in the square. 

The Barcelona City Council has stated that it is working with “different scenarios” regarding the lighting for Plaça Catalunya.

Deputy Mayor Raquel Gil said the square “will not be left in the dark,” although she acknowledged that the protest is currently preventing the planned installations from being set up.

She explained that the council is monitoring the encampment to see how the situation develops “once the general strike” this Wednesday has passed, noting that there would still be “a small window of opportunity” if the encampment were to be dismantled then.

In any case, the city’s Christmas lights will be switched on on November 26 on Passeig de Gràcia.

The lights will span nearly 140km of streets across all districts until January 6.

Gil explained that either the camp-out will end after Wednesday's general strike, giving authorities a chance to install Christmas lights in the square like normal, or else an alternative lighting arrangement will be set up.

Furthermore, officials said that “the city of Barcelona will have a Christmas festival, here or elsewhere.”

It was also noted that the City Council prioritizes the right to protest and maintains an open dialogue regarding the demonstration, which was described as “peaceful.”

Lighting ceremony

The lighting ceremony will begin at 6pm on November 26 with a large-scale performance featuring aerial dance.

Gil explained that this year, the stage has been positioned between Carrer de Rosselló and Avinguda Diagonal to improve traffic flow and mobility.

The festive lights will be switched on daily from 5.30pm to 1am. On Fridays, Saturdays, and the dates of December 24, 25, and 31, as well as January 5, the lights will remain on until 2am.