There are places in Barcelona where the magic of Christmas is lived and breathed differently. The Port of Barcelona once again invites citizens to enjoy these magical dates in a very special way: with a taste of the sea. And a wide variety of activities that this year include, for the first time, night tours with Golondrina or free sailing baptisms. The seventh edition will be, in fact, the largest edition to date: with light and magic reaching further than ever, from Moll de la Fusta to Moll de les Drassanes. More than 24,000 square meters where the salt of the sea mixes with the sweetness of nougat, and where young and old find a wide variety of activities to share these special dates.
In addition to festivities with a taste of the sea, this year's edition of Nadal al Port will also have a very special essence and spirit: the inherent fun of the circus world and its members. The Circo Histórico Raluy, which this year presents its show Terra in the tent it has set up in Port Vell ---and which can be seen until next March 1---, will also be in charge of conducting the act that will kick off the Christmas activities. A unique show, full of magic, humor, acrobatics and juggling will mark the lighting of the Port, next November 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Lights of their own design and LED technology, which will dye red and cover from Portal de la Pau to Port Vell. At the confluence between La Rambla and Portal de la Pau, a large 12-meter high portico built with maritime containers ---from Hutchison Ports BEST--- will be installed, which will welcome visitors and will be one of the most surprising novelties of this seventh edition. It will be the gateway to more than 24,000 square meters of lights, color and magic.
A space full of luminous elements that will surprise young and old, such as a 17-meter long and 7-meter high light star in the Portal de la Pau square, or a total of 90 trees illuminated with LED in Port Vell. But the lighting will extend to all corners, also reaching the Dipòsit and Barceloneta docks, Plaça de Mar and Nova Bocana, and the Port Vell concessions. And, as is customary, the Jaume I tower will continue to be Port Vell's particular Christmas tree, with a light show that can be enjoyed every evening.
Even so, the luminous elements will not be the only protagonists of the seventh edition of Nadal al Port, which will extend for more than a month in Port Vell ---with activities from November 28 to January 6, from 11 am to 11 pm---. In fact, this year's edition will unveil surprising novelties, such as night tours with Las Golondrinas. It will be the first time in its 137-year history that this boat sails at night accompanied by lighting, music and other surprises, integrating a classic element of the Barcelona coastline such as these centenary boats into the Christmas celebration. For the more intrepid, the Port will also offer free sailing baptisms, departing from the royal stairs of the Moll de la Fusta.
But children and adults will not only be able to embark on a maritime journey to observe the illuminated maritime skyline, but also on a land trip, with the free Christmas train that will connect the main points of Port Vell with the sheds. This area of the Port will become another magical place, since for two days ---January 3 and 4--- it will be the operations center of the Three Wise Men, from which they prepare everything necessary to fill homes with gifts and illusion. Thus, the Tinglado Real will be a space to approach to meet Their Majesties and deliver letters with wishes, but also to participate in workshops and live an experience full of imagination and seafaring tradition.
In addition to the traditional Ferris wheel from which all of Barcelona can be contemplated, Port Vell will also bring together other attractions such as FunBox, the world's largest inflatable park, or the Accessible Ball Tree. Music will be another of the great protagonists of the event, with a wide variety of performances interpreted by more than 500 participants, including music students, emerging artists, semi-professional profiles and members of community projects, who will energize the Christmas fair.
Also not to be missed at the event are sports activities such as the historic Copa Nadal, organized by the Club Natació Barcelona, the Primer Bany de l'Any,, promoted by the Club Natació Atlètic-Barceloneta or the Ioles regatta, organized by the Reial Club Marítim de Barcelonaa. In addition, other emblematic spaces in this area, such as the Reial Club Nàutic, the Museu d'Història de Catalunya, the Maremagnum shopping center, the Aquàrium de Barcelon, the World Trade Center or the W and Grand Marina hotels will also offer special activities to celebrate these magical dates. And all this, without forgetting environmental sustainability, with the use of recycled and reusable materials or the application of acoustic limitations.