Christmas at the Port celebrates seven editions growing to the pier of the Shipyard and consolidating itself as the great maritime event of the holidays

Christmas at the Port will be celebrated from November 28 to January 6 at Port Vell, with a completely renewed program of activities.

The Historic Raluy Circus will lead the lighting ceremony on November 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Free sailing baptisms or themed night tours with a themed "Golondrina" boat are some of the novelties of this edition.

Christmas at the Port returns for the seventh consecutive year to the Port of Barcelona and establishes itself as the major maritime and port event during the city's holiday season. The Christmas gathering, which will take place from November 28 to January 6 at Port Vell, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., expands to the Moll de les Drassanes, becoming the largest edition to date, with over 24,000 m2 filled with completely renewed activities designed to bring maritime and port reality closer to the citizenry, with a focus on social and environmental sustainability, as well as the integration and dissemination of the territory. 

At the confluence between La Rambla and Portal de la Pau, a 12-meter high arch made with maritime containers ? provided by Hutchison Ports BEST ? will welcome visitors to this edition. The expansion of the space by 8,400 m2 will allow for a more comfortable and fluid experience of the "saltiest Christmas," bringing new areas of the recently opened Port closer to the citizens. 

Portal de la Pau square will also join Christmas at the Port. In addition to the usual lighting of the Corporate Building facade of the Port Authority, highlighting its restoration, this year a 17-meter long and 7-meter high light star will be added. On the seafront, Las Golondrinas will offer for the first time in its 137-year history a night tour with a themed boat for the occasion including lighting, music, and other surprises, integrating a Barcelona classic into the event's offerings. 

The Historic Raluy Circus, presenting its show "Terra" at Port Vell this year, will also be in charge of leading the inaugural act of Christmas at the Port, with a unique performance full of magic, humor, and acrobatics, taking place on November 28 at 6:30 p.m., marking the official start of this event with the lighting ceremony. These lights, featuring custom design and LED technology, tinted in red, will cover from Portal de la Pau, through the sky of Moll de la Fusta, and up to more than 90 trees located throughout Port Vell. The illumination will also reach the Dipòsit and Barceloneta docks, Plaça del Mar and Nova Bocana, as well as the Port Vell concessionaires. Jaume I tower will continue to be the Port of Barcelona's particular Christmas tree, with a light show that can be enjoyed every evening. 

Promotion of port and maritime culture 

One of the highlights this year is the free sailing baptisms, an initiative driven by Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation in collaboration with Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona and Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona. The activity, starting from the royal steps of Moll de la Fusta, will offer a first sailing experience with collective boats, on a route between the Monument to Miraestels and Rambla de Mar. This initiative, taking place on November 29 and 30, and December 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, and 21, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., aims to promote sailing as a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible activity, highlighting Barcelona's nautical tradition and fostering the connection between the city and the port. 

At Moll de les Drassanes, Salvament Marítim will dock one of its ships and offer free visits to showcase their work in protecting sea life, prevention and combating sea pollution, maritime traffic assistance, and ship support. This activity joins the usual historic boats of the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the Santa Eulalia sailboat, and the Far Barcelona, which will also be open to the public during these days. The boat that brings the Three Wise Men to Barcelona, the Santa Eulalia sailboat, will also feature a royal mailbox where children can leave their letters, which they will have previously written at the Maritime Museum tent located at the fair. 

Likewise, the vessel of the NGO Open Arms will dock at Moll de la Fusta to showcase its humanitarian mission of rescue and defense of human rights, offering guided tours and informative activities to raise awareness about the reality of people crossing the Mediterranean. On the other hand, APM Terminals Barcelona will propose children to create a container terminal with XXL constructions, while Underwater Gardens International will exhibit one of its biotopes for seabed regeneration, which are being used at Nova Bocana. 

Further territory integration 

Also growing are the social entities, associations, and local schools that will fill the stands at Moll de la Fusta with workshops, games, and activities aimed at allowing children to learn about port activity, maritime culture, and the blue economy. This initiative strengthens the bond between the Port of Barcelona, its port community, and the surrounding neighborhoods, solidifying the open and participatory nature of Christmas at the Port. 

Moreover, the main stage at Moll de la Fusta will host performances by cultural and social entities from nearby neighborhoods, with over 500 participants including music students, emerging artists, semi-professional profiles, and members of community projects, energizing the Christmas fair. Additionally, the public will enjoy special moments such as a live connection with Club Súper3 to welcome the Súper's Christmas (December 28 at 12 p.m.) or the popular Vermut de Llucià Ferrer (December 20 at 12 p.m.). 

Not missing from the event will be the historic Copa Nadal, organized by Club Natació Barcelona, the First Swim of the Year, promoted by Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta, and the Ioles regatta, organized by Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona. 

Emblematic spaces of the port such as Reial Club Nàutic, Museu d'Història de Catalunya, Maremagnum, Barcelona Aquarium, World Trade Center ? which will offer a Christmas concert on December 11 ? and the W and Grand Marina hotels will also participate in the event. They will offer diverse proposals and activities to enjoy the Christmas spirit by the sea. Additionally, FunBox, considered the world's largest inflatable park, will be installed in Miquel Taradell Square, also featuring two new attractions: Energy and the accessible Ball Tree. La Mar d'activitats at Odissea Square will offer special activities for these dates. 

Regarding environmental sustainability, the event continues to promote the use of recycled and reusable materials, energy consumption reduction, responsible waste management, and the implementation of acoustic limitations. 

Royal Quay 

After the success of the first edition, the Royal Quay returns to the Eastern dock, an initiative organized by Port Vell of the Port of Barcelona and the Barceloneta Festival Committee. On January 3 and 4, the Barcelona Port Workshop Quay will once again transform into the operations center of the Three Wise Men, where both children and adults will discover how the arrival of the Magi is organized, participate in workshops, deliver their letters, and experience an imaginative and seafaring tradition-filled experience. 

To facilitate access, a free Christmas train, offered by Marina Vela, will connect the main points of Port Vell with the quays, where this free activity with prior registration will be available. Additionally, Barceloneta residents will have exclusive access to enjoy the experience. 

In summary, Christmas at the Port consolidates the Port of Barcelona as a vibrant, open, and connected port city. A space where economic, cultural, social, and sustainable dimensions intertwine: boosting the port environment and, especially, Port Vell; bringing maritime culture and port activity closer to all audiences; showcasing projects from neighborhoods and local entities, and reaffirming commitment to sustainability through efficient energy management, the use of recycled or second-hand materials, and the reduction of acoustic impact. 

This is the activity agenda, which will be updated on the website: www.portdebarcelona.cat/NadalalPort