Bilbao's Gabonart Christmas market, Madrid's toy market, and Valencia's flea market promote local, organic, and handmade products so you can give more circular Christmas gifts this year.
Responsible ways to celebrate the Christmas season are increasingly popular, focused on sustainability and trying to avoid as much waste as possible. At small, local markets, we can find second-hand fashion and decoration items, handmade jewelry, antique toys, and locally sourced products to make the circular economy an integral part of our Christmas celebrations.
Here is a tour of Spain's most special Christmas markets, where every choice we make is a caring gesture for the planet.
Why? They promote local, organic, and handmade products, as well as the circular economy, within neighborhoods and cities, giving many objects a second life. Thus, they help reduce carbon footprint, plastic production, and waste, and some of them are even powered by clean energy. All of this makes these Christmas markets increasingly sustainable and the perfect place to start your search for that unique gift.
- 1. Madrid's toy market:
This has come to be one of the most important events related to antique toys in Spain. Toys that marked an era and may still mark another one. Three crucial elements come together here: children, second-hand items, and those little gems that break down generational barriers and bring young and old together to sit down on the floor and play with a Playmobil pirate ship or a classic Scalextric set.
Madrid's toy market actively promotes the circular economy and the exchange of collection pieces (Lego, collectible Barriguitas or Madelman dolls, etc.) Gifts that are as special as they are unique, without having to make new products.
Where? On December 6 in Plaza de Aluche, on December 13 in Plaza Loranca in Fuenlabrada, and on December 20 in the Zoco de Pozuelo mall (Madrid).
- 2. La Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona:
This century-old fair is a leading event for lovers of nativity scenes and traditional decorations. It is no surprise that it is the oldest Christmas market in Catalonia, dating back to 1786. Its 215 stalls offer all kinds of carved and hand-painted figurines, moss curtains, wooden toys, sustainable decorations, baskets, carved leather products, and musical instruments. Without a doubt, it is one of the largest markets to explore at this time of year.
What's more, all of the stalls have a 100% renewable power supply, strengthening the fair's commitment to sustainability.
Where? From November 29 to December 23 on Avenida de la Catedral in Barcelona.
- 3. Bilbao's Gabonart Christmas market:
In the Nervión estuary, this market is well known for its quality craftsmanship. It is the meeting point of artisans from the Basque Country and the rest of Spain who work with natural materials and value the legacy of ancient crafts learned from previous generations, using manual and traditional techniques to create their products.
This results in unique items ranging from natural cosmetics such as soaps or candles to wickerwork, woodwork, or handmade jewelry.
Where? Throughout the month of December in Doña Casilda Park.
- 4. The Déballage de la Moraleja (Madrid):
A different way to gift and "redecorate" that uses the French-inspired concept of déballage, or unboxing, that is currently so popular on social media.
This unique market, which is increasingly famous even outside our borders, specializes in second-hand and vintage items from bygone eras, including clothing, chairs, mirrors, and small relics from other eras. This new antiques paradise attracts some thirty antiques dealers from Spain, France, and Portugal. It is the ideal place for "treasure hunters" or those looking for a unique gift that is not just more economical but can also tell a story in its second life.
Where? The next market will be on December 21 at the La Moraleja mall (Madrid), from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 5. Valencia's Flea Market:
This is the largest second-hand event in the city. They are pop-up markets, meaning that they are not held on a fixed date and are temporary and unexpected, but the two Christmas events held in December — one in the first and the other in the second half of the month — are announced slightly in advance on the market's official channels and are usually held in central spaces of the city such as the Valbanera Market or the Ruzafa neighborhood.
Vinyl records, comics, books, old cameras, transistor radios, second-hand clothes to find a truly original New Year's Eve outfit, and even small areas with very, very low prices (€1) where you go in search of highly original or evocative objects.
The Gato Market in Madrid is very similar and also has a special pop-up Christmas event, where the old and the emerging combine to make way for new brands and creators, with limited editions in few models and sizes.
Where? They are pop-up events that announce upcoming dates on their social media profiles.
- 6. Neighborhood markets
Finally, it is always a good idea to explore markets organized by local communities who take the initiative to exchange second-hand items. A face-to-face, neighborhood second-hand maketplace. These spaces not only encourage reuse, but also strengthen social ties and promote local products by connecting buyers and sellers without intermediaries. In the Community of Madrid, the markets in municipalities such as Las Rozas, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, or Coslada are famous.
And if you're looking for craftsmanship and social action, you can find both at the Fundación A La Par market in Madrid, organized by the NGO of the same name. Behind the products on sale is the work of people with intellectual disabilities (ceramics, bookbinding, stationery and desk accessories, textiles, and even trinkets), all with personalized designs. This market's local origins and social purpose make it both festive and charitable.
Where? December 12, 13, and 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Calle Monasterrio de las Huelgas, 15, in the Montecarmelo district of Madrid.
Beyond the Christmas markets of Central Europe, our country has much to offer in terms of craftsmanship and circular economy, where tradition and sustainability go hand in hand with the warm and festive atmosphere that characterizes this holiday season.