As of 14 October 2026, only one of the markets in this guide has official dates published for 2026: the Santo Tomás Fair. For the rest, the organisers have not yet announced theirs, so here you will find what is happening in each city and what you can do at each market, without made-up dates. We will update this guide in November with the official dates as soon as they are published.
Santo Tomás Fair, in Bilbao, Arrasate, Azpeitia and Donostia
On 21 December 2026, Bilbao, Azpeitia and Donostia/San Sebastián celebrate the Santo Tomás Fair; Arrasate/Mondragón moves it to the 22nd. It is one of the most emblematic celebrations in Bizkaia: it keeps the agricultural tradition alive and reinforces the commitment to local trade.
In Donostia, thousands of people repeat the same ritual in the street every year: a txistorra sandwich with corn bread and a glass of txakoli. The fair brings together more than 160 stalls from baserritarras and the market opens at 10:00 and closes at 19:00.
You can also taste products such as chorizo, talo and cider. If you go with children, the animal exhibitions and children's activities are the simplest plan to spend the morning.
In Arrasate-Mondragón access is free; the day begins at 09:30 with the diana and the presentation of the pig is at 10:00. The final programme is usually published at the beginning of December on the town hall website.
To get to Arrasate-Mondragón you have the AP-1 motorway (Arrasate exit) or the GI-627 road, the Euskotren train station in the centre and the Pesa and Lurraldebus lines from Donostia, Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
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Santa Llúcia Fair, in Barcelona
The Santa Llúcia Fair is the traditional Christmas market of Barcelona and the oldest in the city. Walking through its stalls is a tradition for Barcelonans and for those who spend Christmas in Barcelona.
As of 14 October 2026, the organiser has not yet published the official dates for the 2026 edition. Check the calendar before booking your trip and organise your getaway based on the confirmed dates.
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market, in Madrid
Madrid's Plaza Mayor fills with colourful stalls every December: 104 stalls in the middle of the square. The market is open from late November until 31 December 2026.
In the stalls, you can buy Nativity scene figures, Christmas musical instruments, toys and novelty items. The market also includes an exhibition of an Artisanal Nativity scene.
Arrive by metro at Sol or Ópera and allow an hour to walk through it calmly. If you go in December, avoid the middle hours of the weekend: the square gets crowded and it is hard to move between stalls.
Recoletos Christmas Craft Market, in Madrid
The Recoletos Christmas Craft Market is one of the most traditional Christmas markets in Madrid. It brings together handmade gifts and regional crafts on a walk that goes from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de Colón, along the Paseo de Recoletos.
On 24 December it closes at 15:00 and on 25 December it is closed. Entry is free.
You can arrive by metro with the Banco de España and Colón stations. Allow an hour to walk through the stalls calmly and go in the morning if you want to avoid the largest crowds in the afternoon.
Christmas market in Plaza del Pilar, in Zaragoza
In the Plaza del Pilar in Zaragoza, the artisan Christmas market occupies a square that functions almost like a theme park. The square is known as "the city's living room" and also as Plaza de las Catedrales, where the Seo cathedral and the Pilar cathedral are located.
Arrive on foot via Don Jaime I and Alfonso I streets, right in the centre.
Check the calendar before booking your trip and accommodation in Zaragoza.
Nativity scene fair, in Sevilla
Sevilla gathers nativity scene artisans every December in a fair with decades of history. The Nativity Scene Fair is one of the national benchmarks in the sector and brings together specialists in figures and accessories for nativity scenes. It is organised by ACOBE, the Association of Nativity Scene Merchants of Sevilla.
The stalls are spread between Fray Ceferino González street and Avenida de la Constitución, next to the Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias. Andalusian nativity scene making is protected as a BIC of Andalusian Ethnological Interest, so here you buy a tradition with heritage backing.
The schedule changes depending on the day. From Monday to Friday, it is open from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00. On weekends and holidays, it is open from 11:00 to 15:00 and from 16:30 to 21:30.
Check the calendar before booking your trip and set aside a morning or an afternoon to wander through the stalls.
Bib-Rambla Christmas market, in Granada
In December, Granada sets up a nativity scene market with more than 70 stalls of decorations and Christmas lights. It occupies the Plaza de Bib-Rambla, in the centre, next to the Cathedral.
The market brings together Andalusian nativity scene craftsmanship, a tradition with deep roots in the city, and traditional local products. Its size is manageable, so it fits well as a stop during a day out in the centre.
It is advisable to check them before booking your trip and accommodation in the city.
Valencia Christmas market
Entry is free, so you can decide on your getaway based on what you want to do inside.
Before booking your trip, check the market calendar and organise your visit for a morning or an afternoon, with a stop to eat at the food trucks.
Santander Christmas market, in Pombo square
Nearly 50 stalls occupy Pombo square, in the centre of Santander, during Christmas.
As of 14 October 2026, there are no official dates published for the 2026 edition. It falls right in the middle of the December getaway season, so it is advisable to book accommodation in advance if you want to spend a weekend in the city.
Pombo square is in the centre, a short distance from the main points of the city. Set aside a morning or an afternoon to wander through the stalls and combine it with a stroll through the rest of the centre.
Christmas in Vigo
Vigo fills its streets with lights in December and can be explored on foot, between shop windows and squares. The city works well for a short getaway with family or as a couple.
For the 2026 edition, there are no official dates published as of 14 October 2026. It is advisable to book accommodation with plenty of time and confirm the lighting schedule when it is announced.
Christmas market dates 2026: what is confirmed and what is not
As of 14 October 2026, most of the markets in this guide do not yet have official dates published for their 2026 edition. The exception is the Feria de Santo Tomás, with 21 December 2026 confirmed, and the 22nd in Arrasate/Mondragón.
In the rest of the cases, the dates depend on the organiser publishing them. The guide will be updated in November with the official ones, so it is advisable to check it before booking your trip and accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Which Christmas markets are best to go to with children?
The Feria de Santo Tomás includes farm animal exhibitions, with specimens such as pigs and chickens, as well as music and activities for children. The little ones go from looking at the animals to dancing to the music in the same visit.
The Valencia Christmas Market includes Jumping Kingdom, a bouncy castle, Forest Strike with strategic battles with gel balls, and La Guarida del Grinch, its games area. With these three proposals, the visit is extended and it is advisable to set aside some time for each one.
If you are going with children, choose the fair or the market according to their age: the animals and the music work for the little ones, and the bouncy castles and games areas, for those who are already running around. Check the schedule for each activity before leaving and wear comfortable footwear for walking between stalls.
Which Christmas market already has confirmed dates for 2026?
Of the markets in this guide, only the Feria de Santo Tomás has official dates published for 2026. It is held on 21 December 2026, and on the 22nd in Arrasate/Mondragón.