The 5 unmissable Christmas events in Catalan country!

Listen to our Christmas special to make sure you don’t miss a thing about the end of the year celebrations in Catalan country.

At Barcarès, the Christmas village has become an institution with more than a million visitors each year, listen to Edouard Angly live from Barcarès

The big wheel and the Castillet
Facebook Perpignan Tourism
Le Castillet illuminated for Christmas
Le Castillet illuminated for Christmas © Maxppp
Michel clementz

In Perpignan, the illuminations are more magical every year. The city ranks number 2 for the most original Christmas decorations in France, just after the Champs-Elysées. Listen to Marie-Claire Baills, director of the Perpignan Méditerranée Community Tourist Office.

A hundred characters make up the Nativity scene in Sant-Vicens
A hundred characters make up the Nativity scene in Sant-Vicens © Radio France

Since 1949, the farmhouse Sant-Vicens in Perpignan has created a nativity scene in homage to Catalan country from its exceptional collection of 500 ceramic figurines. It is also the opportunity to discover this magical place where Dali, Picasso and so many others have passed. Listen to Claire Bauby who presents the 2021 crèche.

The student of Ill sur Têt
The student of Ill sur Têt © Radio France
Remy Faré

Since the 1930s, the Estudiantine Illoise has been offering living Pesebres during the holidays, featuring the Nativity. The last performance will take place on December 26 at 5.30 p.m. in the Church of Saint-Etienne d’Ill sur Têt. Listen to Julien Selva tell about the tradition of living pessebres.

Father Christmas is expected on the slopes of Bolquère-P2000
Father Christmas is expected on the slopes of Bolquère-P2000 © Maxppp
Gregory YETCHMENIZA

On Christmas Eve, meet at the foot of the Bolquère-P2000 slopes. From 7 p.m., big free show with fireworks, torchlight descent and Santa Claus arriving on the slopes. A tradition in Catalan snow resorts. Among the festivities, a gospel concert on December 21 and Mado la niçoise on December 29. Listen to the program in detail with Sabine, director of the Tourist Office.

The baths of Saint Thomas, hot springs in the middle of the snow
The baths of Saint Thomas, hot springs in the middle of the snow

After skiing, a little rejuvenation in Fontpédrouse at the Saint-Thomas baths. 37 degrees all year round to enjoy the benefits of thermal waters in the open air. During these holidays, the baths are open every day from 10 a.m. and at night until 10:40 p.m. Listen to the director of the baths, Stéphane Fortas.

a tradition of the Catalan country: the rifle!
a tradition of the Catalan country: the rifle! © Maxppp
I. BLEY BOURRIER

And as a bonus …. no Catalan Christmas without a rifle! It is the lottery in the PO with its traditions and its gifts. Among the rifles maintained this year: December 24: Rifle in and in Toulouges at 9 p.m. and December 25, rifle in Saint-Laurent-de-Cerdans (room of the future) and in Saillagousse (room Polyvalente) at 4:30 p.m. as well as ‘in Toulouges in the evening. Listen to Jeannot, one of the pillars of the Catalan rifles, recount his memories.


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