Christmas lights in Barcelona: between brightness and social inequality

Barcelona lights up with Christmas decorations. But not everyone celebrates in the same way. Many sleep on the streets. Consumption and inequality define this time of year. Find out how the city experiences the holidays and what its residents are calling for.

Barcelona is already in the Christmas spirit with lights and decorations appearing in its streets. However, the city shows a stark contrast: while some enjoy celebrations and abundance, others face loneliness and a lack of resources, spending the holidays outdoors.

Since early December, the well-known Collboni lights announce Christmas in Barcelona. In Badalona, the tallest tree in the world becomes a symbol of the season. For many, the holiday has lost its original meaning and has turned into an event dominated by consumption and advertising, leaving aside its religious or family significance.

Fundació Arrels highlights the other side of Christmas: nearly 2,000 people sleep rough in Barcelona, without shelter or rights. In Badalona, after a severe storm, Mayor Albiol evicted more than 400 people from a space where they had taken refuge. These actions spark debate about social management during this period.

The housing problem remains in Catalonia. Although there are flats available, prices and wages prevent many citizens from accessing them. Meanwhile, the City Council sends out messages of unity and celebration, which many see as disconnected from reality.

Some voices propose a different kind of Christmas, focused on social justice and sharing resources. They argue that the holiday should not be a luxury or a one-off act of charity, but an opportunity to demand rights and dignity throughout the year.

In other cultures, such as the Maya, Christmas does not exist and other traditions linked to the sun and life are celebrated. In Barcelona, Christmas has become a blend of consumption and religion, losing part of its original essence.