09/12/2024 | 0 comments The Christmas season in Catalonia transforms its cities and towns into magical settings where traditions From historic markets in big cities to unique events in small villages these fairs offer a one-of-a-kind experience to enjoy the festive season we present a detailed guide to the main Christmas fairs so you can plan your visits and fully immerse yourself in the holiday spirit these fairs are an excellent opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit YES, I WANT the Fira del Tió de Solsona or the 1600 liters escudella of the Mercat de Caldes are perfect options for a Christmas getaway If you are from Barcelona (or have been here for a while) you surely know the infinite number of Christmas markets that sprout around the city at this time of the year From the traditional ones like Santa Llúcia to other more modern ones like the Design Market and enjoy Christmas in the streets of Barcelona But at Christmas Catalonia is also full of life and traditional Christmas fairs and markets that cover the Catalan geography of Christmas and traditions that perhaps you did not know From the Fira de l’Avet d’Espinelves the place where the Catalans have always gone to look for their Christmas tree to the Fira del Tió de Solsona in order for you not to miss Christmas outside Barcelona (or for you to discover it) we bring you some traditional Christmas fairs near Barcelona for a good Christmas getaway The Fira de l’Avet d’Espinelves in Osona is one of the most unique Christmas fairs It takes place from November 30 to December 8 in a charming place where you can still feel the smell of the villages of yesteryear in winter Here you will find Christmas fir trees that are sold with root ball so that they can be replanted again Only 200 people live here in a village that revolves for a week to sell its native fir tree which is cultivated with sustainable criteria It is the place where the Barcelona pixapins have traditionally gone to get their Christmas tree is an hour from Barcelona This year they expect to welcome 90,000 visitors and sell around 3,000 Christmas trees We tell you everything you need to know about this fair in our article. The Fira del Tió de Solsona is a traditional fair that takes place on December 9 with local artisans offering their products in a market located between the Plaza Mayor and adjacent streets. In addition to exhibits of these unique trunks of Catalan tradition that bring gifts to children on December 24, the fair features family workshops, contests, children’s shows and musical performances. From December 5 to 10, Caldes de Montbui celebrates a new edition of the Christmas Market, with a hundred stalls set up in the streets of the historic center, as well as an extensive program of family activities. The largest pot in Catalonia, with a capacity of 1,600 liters, will boil again to prepare the traditional thermal broth, with tastings of pot meat and cooked vegetables. The Vilafranca del Penedès Rooster Fair is a traditional poultry and poultry market that has been held since the Middle Ages. On the weekend of December 16 and 17 you can buy and taste a native variety of poultry highly prized for its meat. You will find from the most traditional to the most innovative recipes, accompanied by the wines of the D.O. Penedés. © Adrià GoulaThe presence of elements from horticultural self-construction identity is enhanced: granite stones, ceramic handmade bricks, manual floodgates, wire meshes and fences. We reintroduce live willow, formerly used to make willow baskets heated by thermal water. Finally, an innovative pilot system is developed: phytotreatment with macrophytes planted on floating gardens, to absorb residual organic material without altering the pool’s oscillation condition. © Adrià GoulaThe new community and ecological approach also challenged the architecture team to assume the role of mediators and observers adopting innovative conceptual references from complementary discipline fields and integrating external collaborators This has allowed us to develop new tools of decision-making and communication of the technical aspects of the project You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email The president of Spain's national grid operator Red Eléctrica has denied that the nationwide blackout was caused by an excess of renewable energy "Linking Monday's incident to renewable penetration is incorrect," Beatriz Corredor said on Wednesday in a radio interview with Cadena Ser She also cleared Red Eléctrica of any blame and stated that she has no intention of stepping down the Spanish energy system is "the best" and "operates with the strictest safety measures in Europe." She did acknowledge that the only way to ensure such a blackout doesn't happen again is to identify the exact cause of the failure adding: "we still don’t know where the error occurred." Red Eléctrica's president said that the cause of the blackout has been "more or less located," but that "millions of data points" still need to be analyzed before reaching a conclusion The company had earlier said the disruption appears to have originated from a technical issue linked to a mass shutdown of solar power plants Corredor has already ruled out excess renewable energy as the cause explaining that "it operates stably using conventional technology." the system has withstood much more extreme conditions without any safety issues," she said restoring the system after Monday's collapse was "a feat," noting that by 4am on Tuesday 100% of electrical substations were already operating "I want to highlight the tremendous technical team," she added "The best minds and hands in the electrical world are at Red Eléctrica and what they did was apply their knowledge in service of the public." Energy experts consulted by the Catalan News Agency (ACN) in the wake of the blackout also warned that blaming renewable energy is "simplistic," arguing that the root problem is a "complete lack" of planning in the energy system. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone View upcoming auction estimates and receive personalized email alerts for the artists you follow Blanca Berlín opened its doors in 2007 with an exhibition starring Ramón Masats (Caldes de Montbui the first of seven dedicated to the artist but rather a declaration of intention about the direction the gallery aspired to take that of the best national and international contemporary photography Sixteen years later we wanted to pay a new tribute to the figure of this great photographer and for this we have counted on the collaboration of his daughter Sonia Masats differentiated by their chronology and their location in the room is summarised in a selection of black-and-white snapshots that reveal the documentary nature and genius of this artist recognized as one of the most outstanding figures of the generation of photographers of the 1950s and 1960s but others have become icons of Spanish photography Ramón Masats made his last reportage in 2006 for the book «Cuenca en la mirada» which concluded the work of one of the most emblematic sarcastic and transgressive photographers in Spanish photography The dedication of this book reads: «For Publio Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Barcelona Reserva de la BiosferaGetaway to Vallès Oriental: From hot springs to the skyLeave your fears on the ground and rise up in a hot-air balloon to see some of the most spectacular scenery in the region This spring and summer getaway to the region of Vallès Occidental is packed with experiences Nature is present throughout the weekend in many ways: first you'll visit an organic farm on the second day you'll enjoy the medicinal properties of the waters of Caldes de Montbui and you'll finish your getaway with a bird’s-eye view of the scenery of Montseny and other beautiful places in the region where you can find out about the history of Caldes see works of art by famous artists and get all of the information you need since it also functions as a tourist information office you can ask about other sights to see in the town and they'll probably mention the medieval walls at the beginning of Carrer Bella you'll find a magnificent tower which was originally part of the 12th-century wall and was later used as a prison and which is now considered to be a cultural asset of national interest We also recommend that you cross the bridge and step into Can Rius park the old garden of the spa of the same name though a part of the building has been beautifully restored and activities are held there You can easily spend a whole day exploring Caldes and even more if you've booked a thermal circuit or treatment at any of the town’s establishments This pizzeria in Sant Celoni uses quality produce to make top-notch pizzas and pasta dishes at reasonable prices, along with home-made desserts to end your meal on a perfect note. A careful selection of raw materials and baking in a wood-fired oven ensure that few pizzerias can offer such as unforgettable experience as Ventidue. Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! facebook twitter spotify tiktok About us Contact us Time Out Worldwide Continue after the break for images and descriptions of the winning projects Joint Winner: Recovery of the Irrigation System of the Spa Allotments, Caldes de Montbui, Spain / Cíclica + Cavaa Arquitectes © Adria GoulaDuring the twentieth century uncontrolled urban development of the periphery of Caldes de Montbui seriously damaged the Hortes de Baix (Lower Orchards) more than three hectares ancient agricultural land which had been irrigated by the town’s surplus thermal waters Bad smells and health risks resulting from the contamination of the irrigation system by sewage together with partial covering of the main canal inaccessibility of the orchards and bad management of wastewater from private spas ended up causing a rupture among the community of farmers using the irrigated land and the eventual collapse of the agricultural system the town council introduced a participative process which brought together more than seventy horticulturalists the old irrigated land was supplied with clean water and a new network of accessible paths connected the orchards with the old centre of town The land is now once again a productive space keeping the horticultural tradition of Caldes de Montbui alive contributing towards its food sovereignty and raising awareness among the town’s inhabitants concerning the importance of democratic management of the public good of water resources Joint Winner: Przełomy Centre for Dialogue in Solidarność Square, Szczecin, Poland / KWK Promes © Robert KoniecznySolidarność (Solidarity) Square was a physical expression of the historic fracture in Szczecin after the Second World War Named in memory of sixteen workers who were killed in 1970 when they demonstrated against the Soviet regime the square had little relevance beyond this purely commemorative function had not recovered from the massive destruction of allied bombing attacks at the end of the Second World War after which the city went from German to Polish control whereupon its entire population was replaced with all the tragic effects of such a change which recently recovered its lost centrality with the construction of the new Szczecin Philharmonic Hall It is now the site of the underground “Przełomy” Centre for Dialogue which aims to heal the wounds of collective memory Meanwhile the sloping contours of its roof offer the city a public space for intensive Special Mention: Ring of Remembrance: International Memorial of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, France / Atelier d’Architecture Philippe Prost © Howard KingsnorthSpecial Mention: New Multiuser Porch, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium / Baukunst © Maxime DelvauxSpecial Mention: Garden of the Heavenly Hundred, Kiev, Ukraine / Yevheniia Kuleba + NGO “Misto-Sad” © Alena SaponovaSpecial Mention: Barkingside Town Centre Improvements LEA BELIAEVA BANDER | Barcelona First published: November 27, 2023 05:10 PM Christmas has descended upon Catalonia, a perfect time to learn about Catalan holiday traditions such as eating turrons (nougats), placing the caganer (pooping figurine) in nativity scenes, or feeding the Tió de Nadal (Christmas log). And all of these things can be found in Christmas markets all over Catalonia. This is the oldest Christmas market in Catalonia, open every Christmas since 1786. This year it will have 200 stalls dedicated to decorations, ornaments, nativity scenes, Christmas trees and more, making it the largest of its kind in the world, according to organizers. Nadal al Port, Port Vell Christmas Market Nadal al Port, located in the harbor area of Port Vell, is one of the newest Christmas markets in Barcelona, having only been inaugurated in 2018. Located right by the water on the Moll de la Fusta, visitors can enjoy a local gastronomy market, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, see Christmas light shows and installations, or even try the 400m2 ice rink. This market is another traditional Christmas Market in Barcelona, dating back to 1877 when street vendors would set up stalls to sell their goods. Today visitors can buy Christmas presents, decorations and food in over 100 stalls. For Art Nouveau fans, there are two events that cannot be missed this year. The first is the Sagrada Familia Christmas Market, located by the Nativity Facade of the famous Gaudí cathedral. Inaugurated in 1962, it has 150 stalls, that, according to the organizers, have "everything you need to celebrate Christmas at home.". A short walk from that Christmas Market, there’s the Christmas Garden at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site (Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau). For the third year in a row, the old hospital is bathed in Christmas lights and other audiovisual installations. The Sant Pau Site also includes an ice rink. For residents and visitors who are interested in alternative Christmas markets in Barcelona, there are various great options: For the past 15 years, an old closed-down German toy factory, Antiga Fàbrica Lehmann, located in L'Esquerra d'Eixample, has been a creative hub for local designers and artists, and every year the cobblestone-clad patio of the factory is transformed into a Christmas Market, where visitors can buy handcrafted goods like jewellery, ceramics, clothing, artwork, as well as books and food. Another alternative Christmas market is the Market for Sustainable Consumption and Social and Solidary Economy, held in the center of the city, ion Pl. Catalunya. A total of fifty small businesses and organizations will sell craft products, clothing, books, food and other small gift items all produced with sustainability and solidarity in mind. The new edition of the Christmas Market of Caldes de Montbui will be held from December 5th to 10th, with more stalls and family activities in the historic center of the town. The highlight of the event a thermal soup cooked in the biggest pot in all of Catalonia, which can hold 1,600 liters of soup. There will also be dozens of stalls selling food, Christmas products and antiques. Not strictly Christmas themed, the market sets out to recreate medival life through workshops, shows, theatre and music for visitors of all ages. The fair will also include stalls with locally produced products such as food, jewelry, herbs and decorations. This is one of the most popular events for children. Mura is located in the Bages region and, during the weeks before Christmas up until after the New Year, the Tió de Nadal logs invade the streets of the town. Christmas and Torró Fair in Cardedeu The fair dates back to 1272, according to organizers in the town located in northern Catalonia. The centerpiece of the fair is the torró, a traditional Christmas sweet, which will be sold in most of the stalls. Other items include gifts, handcrafted goods, nativity scenes and Christmas decorations. The Fair of Santa Llúcia de Canyelles is held on December 2nd and 3rd. There are more than 350 stalls, exhibitions, children's programs and other activites between 9 am and 9 pm. The characteristic wooden stalls of the Girona Christmas Market have once again filled the Independence Square in the heart of the city. In most of the stalls, visitors can buy handcrafted goods such as Christmas decorations, ceramics and other gifts, as well as a huge selection of locally produced foods. The tiny town of Espinelves, located in north-central Catalonia just outside Vic, holds an annual Christmas tree market, the Fira d'Alvet. Vendors sell locally grown trees and Christmas decorations. Aditionally, the fair features around a hundred stalls selling hand-made crafts and food. From December 8 to 10, the Olot Nativity Scene Fair will take place in the Esteve Ferrer square, with dozens of wooden stalls where artisans will exhibit and sell figurines and sculptures. The Plaça Major will host the Christmas Market Km. 0, where you will find gift products made by local producers. The city of Lleida doesn't just have one, but two Christmas markets. Located in the center of the commercial hub of the city, the Santa Llúcia Market, offers a variety of Christmas-related goods such as decorations, nativity scenes and trees. The other market, the Lleida Christmas Market, is located next to the main Cathedral. Here, visitors can buy handcrafted products and foods from 25 different stalls. Tarragona’s Rambla Nova will be packed with traditional wooden house stalls this season, selling Christmas decorations, trees, small presents, and typical Christmas sweets such as xurros, waffles and chocolate.