10 Things to Do in Barcelona in January
If you're still in the Christmas spirit but can't wait for the start of the new year, there's one city where you can have the best of both worlds in the same month: Barcelona.
Barcelona | ©Owen Byrne
Barcelona is the perfect city for those of us who can't decide on just one thing. It's culture, architecture, art, history, gastronomy and entertainment. But what's more, visiting this iconic city in January brings the end of the Christmas season and some events you won't want to miss. And, if you're ready for the adventures of the New Year, you might want to try the first swim of the year and the city's popular festivities.
1. To the water, ducks! Primer Bany de l'Any or the first bath of the year
A good swim recharges our energy to start a new day. Now, imagine starting the year with a big collective dip in the beaches of Barcelona.
Despite the cold, hundreds of brave people in swimming costumes gather in front of the beach to shout ¡Tots a l'aigua! (Everybody in the water!) and kick off the new year.
Are you up for it? Don't forget to wear a bathing cap or, why not, a Christmas hat! Just bear in mind that the water temperature rarely exceeds 12º. Luckily, after the dip, participants are offered a nice hot broth to warm them up.
2. Be moved by the music of the Orfeó Català's Christmas concert
Don't keep your Christmas spirit bottled up because Barcelona City Council is organising the traditional Orfeó Català Christmas Concert, where you can enjoy the best Christmas carols performed by the emblematic Orfeó Català choir. This is an event I highly recommend you attend, both for the beauty of the music and for the wonderful venue: Barcelona's Plaça del Rei, a square that takes you back in time thanks to its Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
The concert takes place on 4 January, at around 19:30, and is completely free of charge. However, given the number of people attending, I recommend arriving well in advance.
3. Be a kid again with the Three Wise Men Parade in Barcelona
Every January 5th, as a prelude to Three Kings' Eve, Barcelona welcomes Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar, the three wise men, who surprise children and adults with their floats full of gifts and sweets.
The parade officially starts at around 18:00 (usually in Ciutadella Park) and ends at approximately 21:30, but we recommend you check out the routes and special activities on offer each year.
Have you already ridden the tourist bus in Barcelona? If you haven't done so yet, your children will want to, because you should know that in recent years one of Barcelona's tourist buses has been placed at the front of the royal retinue.
4. Behind the scenes: see how the Three Kings of the Orient parade is prepared
Few cities allow you to discover how the most magical parade of the year is prepared, but at the Three Kings of Orient Factory you can take a close look at all the details of the float. You can also watch the manufacturing process of some of the toys for the parade.
This unique experience takes place free of charge at the end of December and on 2, 3 and 4 January in the Sant Andreu neighbourhood, which is easily accessible by metro. If you haven't yet got your Card Expres, don't wait any longer: it gives you free access to all the city's public transport and discounts of up to 50% at Barcelona's landmarks and attractions.
5.Visit the Fira de Reis de la Gran Via and buy some unique gifts
If you love craft markets where you can find unique objects, you can't miss the Fira de Reis on Gran Via.
This market first opened in 1877 with 18 stalls. In its first editions it only sold toys and sweets for children, but nowadays you can find up to 200 stalls selling a wide variety of unique gifts; from jewellery and clothes to home decor.
While strolling through the market, don't forget to try the typical churros with hot chocolate! If it's getting cold, it's sure to give you the energy you need to continue your tour of Barcelona.
Practical information
- Where: on Gran Via, between Carrer Viladomat and Carrer compre d'urgell.
- Price: only what you want to buy
- Dates and opening hours: The market is open from 16 December to 6 January, Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 22:00. Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 00:00, and on January 5th from 11:00 to 3:00.
6. Stars in the streets: marvel at the Christmas lights
After all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, take a moment to contemplate the Christmas lights that year after year amaze the inhabitants and visitors of Barcelona.
Book a seat on the Barcelona sightseeing bus to get around in comfort and see all the illumination of the most important places in Barcelona. Perfect to rest after a day of intense sightseeing.
We recommend you to visit and enjoy the lights decoration of:
- La Rambla
- The Gran Via
- Plaça de Catalunya
- Aragó street
- Ronda de Sant Pere
- The Hotel Majestic
- Portal de l'Ange
- Sant Antoni Market
- Plaça d'Espanya
- The temporary light installations that are organised every year
7. Soak up culture at Els Tres Tombs festival
If you want to soak up the local culture, I recommend you attend the popular festival Tres Trombs, around the day of Saint Anthony Abbot, on 17 January.
This festival began around 1826 to commemorate the death of Saint Anthony Abbot, protector of animals, and is now celebrated with a parade of carriages and animals that make a circuit through the city centre.
From the carriages, characters throw sweets and candies to young children.
8. The party continues: the lighting of 'Foguerons'
While in many parts of the world, people are already immersed in everyday life, in Barcelona the festivities don't end. On the last weekend of January, Vila de Gràcia, a district in Barcelona, celebrates a Mallorcan festival rich in tradition: the 'foguerons'.
During these festivities you can not only witness the incredible bonfires and fireworks, but you can also enjoy popular music performed by traditional instruments such as the xeremía and the zambomba; instruments that shepherds used to use for carols and other popular songs.
I recommend that you consult the detailed programme of the festivities as they are accompanied by all kinds of gastronomic, cultural and artistic activities for all kinds of audiences.
9. Barcelona, capital of fashion: take advantage of the January sales
Barcelona is one of the fashion capitals of Europe and from 7 January you can find all kinds of sales in most of the city's shops. Sales can reach 50% off or even more.
In January from Monday to Sunday you can enter the world of fashion and find that refreshing look you've been looking for at a very good price in the best shopping areas
- Las Arenas
- Diagonal Mar
- Maremagnum
- El Born neighbourhood
- The Grácia neighbourhood
- The Gothic Quarter
However, we recommend that you take advantage of the first week of discounts because by the end of the month, sizes and motifs are sold out.
10. Eco-friendy and vintage shopping: The Flea
If, on the other hand, you like the philosophy of recycling, third shop and antiques, you have to visit the biggest second-hand market in Barcelona: El Flea.
This market opens every Sunday from 10:00 am and is located in Plaça de Blanquerna.
Browsing the stalls of El Flea you might find that book you've been looking for for years, a valuable antique or the perfect outfit to attend one of the events I recommend here.
Practical information
- Where: Plaça de Blanquerna
- Price: free
- Dates and times: Sundays from 10 am onwards
Weather in Barcelona in January
Although the city is going through the winter period, the truth is that temperatures in January are not too low. Its location by the sea means that highs average around 15º Celsius, while lows rarely drop below 5º Celsius.
January is not a very rainy month in Barcelona, but the humidity does make its presence felt in the city. Something to bear in mind is that the wind tends to blow more strongly, especially in the coastal area.
In any case, it is always advisable to check the weather forecast a few days before the trip and prepare your suitcase according to the information obtained.