Els Llums de Sant Pau: A Magical Christmas Garden in Barcelona

What is Els Llums de Sant Pau?

This year, for the fourth time, the Sant Pau historic complex will host the magic Christmas experience. The event will occur between November 21, 2024, and January 12, 2025. During these days, the gardens of the Sant Pau Complex are illuminated with hundreds of Christmas lights, offering the public a magical experience. Walking along the route, you will meet with the different Christmas traditions around the globe. Over 20 installations provide an immersive experience and demonstrate the symbols and histories that make Christmas memorable.

Christmas Lights Experience at Sant Pau

The concept of the show varies depending on the year. This year, the theme is the Christmas traditions all over the world. Your guide is Llumi, a star that descended from the skies to lead you through your visit. Llumi accompanies you through the Christmas lights that tell a story about Christmas, the fairytale, the miracle, and how different people all around the globe are united by the same holiday.

The History and Concept Behind the Christmas Garden

Christmas is one of the most important holidays for Christians. From Protestants in the United States to Catholics in Latin America or Anglicans in Great Britain, Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

Common elements in most countries are the Christmas tree, Advent wreaths, stockings hanging on the fireplace, candy canes, and nativity scenes. The date for most schools is December 25. This is usually a public holiday when people can attend church and spend the day with families. In most Christian countries, on this day, all public institutions and even supermarkets are closed, but the eateries remain open and offer festive meals. Orthodox countries, such as Russia, Greece, Bulgaria and others, continue using the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Llums de Sant Pau: Ticket Information and Timings

The show takes place from November 21 2024, to January 12 2025. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. from December 5 to January 7, 6:00 p.m. from November 21 to December 4, and 8 to January 12.

Time slots are every 30 minutes, and you can enter up to 30 minutes after the time indicated on your ticket.

This year, the show will take place every day from November 21, 2024, to January 12, 2025 The experience lasts sixty minutes. The show will occur in the Sant Pau Modernist Complex, a former hospital transformed into an exhibition centre in 2009. Lluis Domenech i Muntaner, one of the stars of Catalan modernism, designed the 19 hospitals' buildings and gardens.

Now open for visits, this place has served medical needs for decades. Still, apart from being an innovative hospital with the latest equipment, it is also an object of art, an architectural masterpiece featuring the main characteristics of modernism. Tiled glass, ceramics, iron decorations, floral and animalistic decor, and sculptures make the Sant Pau Modernist Complex unique. Once the hospital had been transferred to another building, the complex was restored and adapted to acquire visitors. During the daytime, the tourists come to explore the hospital's architecture, design and history. And on Christmas Eve, the gardens of Sant Pau host the Christmas exhibition, transforming into a fairytale stage.

How to Buy Tickets for Els Llums de Sant Pau

Check our product section and choose the timeslot that suits you best. Make sure you arrive on time. You can enter the space up to thirty minutes after the time indicated on your ticket.

Els Llums de Sant Pau Ticket Prices and Availability

• Adults: 15,00 €
• Kids up to 18 years: 13,00 €
• Kids up to 3 years: free
• Seniors from 65 years: 13,00 €
• Students: 13,00 € Book your tickets in advance to secure your entrance. There is more availability on weekdays and before or after the holidays.

Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit the Christmas Garden

The time slots available for visits are: 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

The later slots attract more visitors, so if you want to avoid crowds, you should book earlier, at 6:00 or 6:30 in the afternoon. It is already quite dark, so you will see the show well.

What to Expect at Els Llums de Sant Pau

Els Llums de Sant Pau is an interactive Christmas show boasting lights and decorations in a Christmas garden. This year, the show's theme is Christmas, the holiday traditions worldwide.

A magic character, a star called Llumi, will guide you through the garden, telling the story and showing how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world.

This story is about joy, happiness, forgiveness, and hope—the magic that only happens at Christmas.

Christmas Light Displays

Over twenty light installations feature beams of light, decorated trees, magic animals, and nativity scenes. The hospital's main building is also beautifully decorated with lights. There are pathways and tunnels of lights that the visitors can go through. There are Christmas gifts and gift stockings. All this creates a magical feeling, making the visitor part of the show.

The Gardens and Pathways at Sant Pau

The gardens at Sant Pau are beautiful even during the daytime. Meticulously planned and designed by the best modernist architects, they feature all that modernism offers: beautiful sculptures, mosaics, plants, and floral decor. During Christmas nights, the pathways of the Sant Pau Complex completely change their appearance. Vivid bright colours, tunnels of lights, and installations resemble the scenery of a fairy tale.

Visitor Opinions: Els Llums de Sant Pau Reviews

The first edition of "Els Llums de Sant Pau" gathered around 200,000 visitors, and the place's popularity is growing every year. All the reviews claim that it is one of the best holiday experiences people have had in Barcelona.