The Christmas markets tradition has strong roots in Europe. Germany, Czech Republic, France, Belgium and Denmark are among the countries with the most famous markets, attracting many tourists each year since the last week of November when they start.

Spain also has got its markets for decades, some of them come from the 18th century, and though not all cities are accompanied by snow as in other European or American capitals, they have other charms to be added to the beauty of the Spanish cities where they are located.

Even in the cinema, we have seen some of these markets. For example films as cozy as “the big family” (“La Gran Familia” in Spanish) directed by Fernando Palacios in 1962, which tells the story of a middle-class Spanish family that, despite going through some financial difficulties, managed to live a happy Christmas.

The most characteristic feature of this film is the scene where Chencho, one of the young children goes with his grandfather to the Christmas market in Madrid, their city, which is situated in the Plaza Mayor and suddenly gets lost and his grandfather cannot find him anywhere.

This drama has a happy ending because in the end they manage to find the child and that makes them enjoy Christmas together even more.

The peculiarity of the Spanish Christmas markets is that unlike others in America or Europe, they do not end in December but continue until the first week of January. This is because in Spain apart from Santa Claus there is also the tradition of the Three Wise Men who come every January 5th in the evening to bring gifts to all children while they sleep.

Barcelona has its market in the Gothic Quarter, one of the most emblematic of the city which gets even more beautiful with the arrival of Christmas. The mild climate of the city makes a walk through the streets of the market to choose from various gifts and Christmas decorations even more enjoyable.

Madrid flea market is concentrated in Plaza Mayor. There among the stalls, you can find performers dressed as Christmas characters delivering balloons and candy to children.

In addition to it, during the weeks before Christmas the painters who throughout the year present their works continue selling them to those who come to take a look. Click Here to take a look at some of those gifts for yourself. This is a very good choice for people looking for a unique and very personal gift.

Sevilla’s Plaza Nueva, Plaza de la Reina in Valencia and the Plaza del Pilar de Zaragoza are other points that offer Christmas markets. Each one of them has their peculiarities.

In Zaragoza, besides being able to buy typical handicrafts and traditional Christmas products you may taste different typical local products in small stands that are arranged around the market. Children can also give the Three Wise Men their letters with their Christmas wishes.

Are there Christmas markets in Spain?

The eldest Christmas market in Barcelona and most popular in Spain is Fira de Santa Llucia. The feast of Santa Llucia mostly happens on 11th of December and Spanish Christmas activities occur throughout the winter season as a tradition of their Christmas Market.

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