“El Nadal al Port” returns for the seventh consecutive year to the Port of Barcelona, confirming its place as the city’s leading maritime and port Christmas celebration. The event will take place from 28 November to 6 January at Port Vell, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., expanding to the Drassanes wharf and becoming the largest edition to date, with over 24,000 m² of fully renewed activities designed to bring the maritime and port world closer to citizens, with a strong emphasis on social and environmental sustainability and territorial integration and outreach.

At the junction between La Rambla and Portal de la Pau, a 12-metre-high gateway built from shipping containers—with the collaboration of Hutchison Ports BEST—will welcome visitors. The 8,400 m² expansion allows for a more comfortable and fluid experience of “the saltiest Christmas” while opening up new areas of the Port recently made accessible to the public.

Portal de la Pau Square will also join the celebration. In addition to the usual lighting of the Port Authority’s recently restored headquarters, this year features a 17-metre-long, 7-metre-high star of light. On the waterfront, Las Golondrinas will, for the first time in their 137-year history, offer night cruises on a specially themed and illuminated boat with music and surprises, integrating a beloved Barcelona classic into the holiday offering.

The Raluy Historic Circus, presenting its new show “Terra” at Port Vell, will host the opening ceremony of “El Nadal al Port” with a unique performance filled with magic, humour, and acrobatics on 28 November at 6:30 p.m., marking the official start with the lighting ceremony. The custom-designed LED lights, glowing in red, will stretch from Portal de la Pau through the Moll de la Fusta and illuminate more than 90 trees along Port Vell. The lighting will also reach the Dipòsit and Barceloneta wharves, Plaça del Mar, Nova Bocana, and the Port Vell concessions. The Jaume I Tower will again serve as the Port’s Christmas tree, with a nightly light show.Promoting Port and Maritime Culture

One of this year’s highlights will be the free sailing baptisms, promoted by the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation in collaboration with the Reial Club Marítim and Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona. Departing from the Royal Steps at Moll de la Fusta, participants can enjoy a first sailing experience aboard collective vessels along a route between the Miraestels monument and the Rambla de Mar. Scheduled for 29–30 November and 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, and 21 December (12:00–14:00), the initiative promotes sailing as a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible activity, celebrating Barcelona’s nautical tradition and strengthening the bond between city and port.

At Drassanes wharf, Salvamento Marítimo will dock one of its vessels for free guided visits, showcasing its life-saving, pollution-prevention, and maritime assistance work. This joins the historic ships of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the Santa Eulàlia schooner and Far Barcelona, both open to the public. The Santa Eulàlia—the ship that brings the Three Kings to Barcelona—will also host a royal mailbox for children’s letters, which they can write in the museum’s tent within the Christmas fair.

The Open Arms NGO vessel will again be moored at Moll de la Fusta, offering guided tours and educational activities on its humanitarian rescue mission in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, APM Terminals Barcelona will invite children to build a container terminal with XXL blocks, and Underwater Gardens International will exhibit a marine regeneration biotope used at Nova Bocana.

Greater Territorial Integration

More social organisations, associations, and local schools than ever will fill the Moll de la Fusta stalls with workshops, games, and educational activities introducing children to port operations, maritime culture, and the blue economy. This initiative strengthens the connection between the Port, its community, and neighbouring districts, enhancing the inclusive and participatory spirit of the Port’s Christmas.

The main stage at Moll de la Fusta will host performances by local cultural and social groups, featuring over 500 participants—music students, emerging artists, semi-professionals, and community projects—energising the Christmas market. Highlights include the live broadcast with Club Súper3 to welcome the “Súpers’ Christmas” (28 December, 12:00 p.m.) and the popular “Vermouth with Llucià Ferrer” (20 December, 12:00 p.m.).

Traditional events will also return: the historic Copa Nadal swim, organised by Club Natació Barcelona; the New Year’s First Swim, by Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta; and the Ioles Regatta, by the Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona.

Other emblematic Port venues—Reial Club Nàutic, Museu d’Història de Catalunya, Maremàgnum, Barcelona Aquarium, World Trade Center (hosting a Christmas concert on 11 December), and the W and Grand Marina hotels—will all offer festive activities by the sea. At Pla de Miquel Taradell, FunBox, the world’s largest inflatable park, returns, alongside two new attractions: Energy and an accessible ball tree. Meanwhile, La Mar de Actividades at Plaça de la Odissea will feature special holiday programming.

Environmentally, the event remains committed to recycled and reusable materials, energy efficiency, responsible waste management, and noise reduction.

The “Tinglado Real”

After last year’s success, the Tinglado Real returns to the Eastern Wharf, organised by Port Vell and the Barceloneta Festival Committee. On 3 and 4 January, the Port’s Workshop Warehouse will once again transform into the Three Kings’ operations centre, where families can see how their arrival is prepared, take part in workshops, deliver letters, and experience the magic and maritime tradition of this beloved event.

To improve access, a free Christmas train provided by Marina Vela will connect main Port Vell sites with the Tinglados. Barceloneta residents will have exclusive early access to the experience.

Ultimately, El Nadal al Port consolidates the Port of Barcelona as a living, open, and connected port city—a space where economic, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions converge. It energises the port environment, especially Port Vell, by bringing maritime culture and port activity closer to citizens, showcasing local community projects, and reaffirming a commitment to sustainability through efficient energy use, recycled materials, and reduced noise impact.

👉 Updated programme available at:
https://www.portdebarcelona.cat/NadalalPort