In Waterford (Ireland), on 25 November 2025, at 14:00 (local time), the members of the International Jury of the European Capital of Christmas 2026,  as listed below, validly constituted.

MEMBERS OF THE JURY

Prof. Dr Danuta Hübner

• Minister of European Affairs of Poland (2001-2004)
  
• European Commissioner for Trade and Regional Policy (2004-2009)
  
• Member of European Parliament (2009-2024)

H.E. Mr Francisco Fonseca Morillo

• Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain (2009-2015)
  
• Professor of International Public Law University of Valladolid

Ms. Ainhoa García Jabonero

• Member of the Regional Parliament of the Community of Madrid

H.E. Mr. Alberto Gutiérrez Alberca

• Spanish Senator (2011 – 2018)
  
• President of Christmas Cities Network

Ms. Simona Bieliūnė

• Deputy Mayor of Vilnius (Lithuania)
  
• Representative city awarded European Capital of Christmas 2025 for Vilnius

Ms. Tina Huremovič

• Cultural and Public Relations Advisor at the Celeia Celje Institute, the Public Institute of the Municipality of Celje (Slovenia)
  
• Representative city awarded European City of Christmas 2025 for Celje

Ms. Mireia Maza Somarriba

• Mayor of Noja (Spain)
  
• Representative city awarded European Village of Christmas 2025 for Noja

PRESIDENT

Prof. Dr Danuta Hübner acts as President of the International Jury, all in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of the Call for Entries for 2026.

Having heard the reports and the deliberations of rigor, the following decision were adopted:

AGREEMENT

• It is unanimously agreed by the attendees to accept the proposals presented in the terms established in the Rules of the Call under the terms of confidentiality agreed at the beginning of the call.
• It was agreed by majority to grant the award:
  • European Capital of Christmas 2026 to Barcelona (Spain).
  • European City of Christmas 2026 to Wels (Austria).
  • European Village of Christmas 2026 to Kirkop (Malta)
• Special mention of the Jury to Valduvieco, only 32 inhabitants for its commitment and citizens implication in the project.
• The Jury Expressly congratulates the winning municipalities for the high technical level of the projects presented, their proposals, and the commitment of each city to the profound values of Europe and Christmas.
• It is agreed to convene the solemn ceremony on 13 December in Vilnius (Lhituania) in a ceremony to be held at 5 p.m., in the presence of the city authorities, representatives of the International Jury, winners of the last edition and guests in general.
• The Jury decides to officially begin with the process on the call for the European Capital of Christmas Awards 2027.

APPROVAL OF THE STATEMENTS

The statement of the meeting having been drawned and read, and having been found to be in agreement by all those present, they were unanimously approved. To all of which I, as President, attest with the signature of all the members of the Jury, in Waterford (Ireland), on 25 November 2025.