Exploring Xmas Beyond Barcelona

Treat yourself to a trip outside the city and venture to these regional town holiday markets to find gifts for everyone on your list.

Fira de l'Avet

November 30-December 8, 2024, Espinelves, Girona Province

Directly north of Montseny, Espinelves is known for its forestry—and Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the trees. At the Fira de l'Avet, aficionados choose between the Abies masjoanis tree, which has dark green leaves, a deep pine smell and adapts well to heated houses, and the more common Picea abies, found all over Europe. The festivities here also include an artisan food market and special menus in the village restaurants. Try Ca l'Angelina in the middle of the village for traditional local dishes. espinelves.cat

Fira de Sant Andreu de la Llacuna & Matança del Porc

December 1, 2024, La Llacuna, Barcelona Province

While Christmas is not the focus of the Fira de Sant Andreu de la Llacuna & Matança del Porc, there are plenty of holiday items on offer at the mostra d’artesans: all morning long local artisans offer their goods throughout the streets and plazas of the village highlighting artisanal work, manufacturing and local specialties. The main event—matança del porc (literally “pig slaughter”)—takes place in the Plaça Major. What once was the communal practice of butchering livestock that brought together family, neighbors and friends, has changed over the years. Now local butchers and farmers gather together to make fresh botifarra in the square and then grill them up for hearty breakfast sandwiches served up with allioli and local wine. Breakfast starts around 8:30 and tickets for the breakfast are sold in advance, so make sure you get yours before heading out if you want to partake. anoiaturisme.cat

Mercat Medieval

December 6-8, 2024, Vic, Barcelona Province

The capital of Osona comarca takes visitors back to medieval times at the medieval market with stalls throughout the old town that offer decorative items, jewelry, creams, medicinal herbs, clothing, food and more, as well as taverns for eating and drinking local fare. Cultural highlights include the play l'Assalt de l'Altarriba, plus street performers, activities for children and an exhibition of birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, vultures and owls. vicfires.cat/mercat-medieval-vic

Fira del Tió

December 7, 2024, Solsona, Lleida Province

For an authentic Tió de Nadal, head to this majestic medieval town in Lleida for a wide selection of Christmas “pooping” logs and canes made from the local forests. The Fira del Tió in Solsona also hosts concerts, magic shows and other activities for kids of all ages. In the spirit of giving back, you’ll find a do-good portion to the tió fair called alimenta el tió amb il·lusió in which visitors are encouraged to donate food and goods to the Rebost Solidari del Solsonès, to which part of the proceeds from the fair go as well. firadesolsona.com/firadeltio

Fira de Nadal i del Torró Artesà

December 13-15, 2024, Cardedeu, Barcelona Province

On Friday evening, a bonfire is lit in the main square of this town in the Vallès Oriental and kept stoked and burning through the fair’s end on Sunday night. Meanwhile, the town's artisans sell goods, including the torró de borrego, made from their traditional borrego paste. The feasting doesn't stop there though. Throughout the day and into the night the Fira de Nadal i del Torró Artesà boasts a huge cauldron of escudella (the traditional hot-pot of meat, sausages, legumes and vegetables) is served and washed down with gallons of cava. firadenadal.cat

Fira de Santa Llúcia & Fira de la Punta al Coixí de Catalunya

December 14-15, 2024 Date to be announced, l'Arboç, Tarragona Province

With over 800 years of history under its belt, the village of l'Arboç hosts the only fair in Catalunya dedicated to the traditional Spanish art of punta al coixí—bobbin lace-making. For two days the Fira de Santa Llúcia & Fira de la Punta al Coixí fills the streets with over 100 stalls laden with holiday goods, but the real star of the show is the lace-making exhibition on Sunday. Rows and rows of skilled lace-makers fill the Plaça de la Badalota deftly clicking and weaving their bobbins around complicated arrangements of pins, while the adjacent Carrer de Rafael Casanoves is lined with vendors offering all things related to lace and lace-making. larbocturistic.cat

Fira del Gall

December 21-22, 2024, Vilafranca del Penedés, Barcelona Province

Vilafranca del Penedés is known all over the world for the quality of its wine and cava. Less well known is its superior breed of local poultry, which is for sale at the Christmas rooster market, including a free slaughtering service from a local escorxador or matadero (slaughterhouse). The star products of the Fira de Gall are the gall negre (black rooster) and the Muscovy duck—otherwise known as the “mute” duck because of its inability to quack. Arrive early in the morning to be sure of the best haul and stick around for lunch, as it's a good opportunity to try the town's many delicacies. For a self guided tasting of the region's wines, check out the wine tent. Or, if you need to sit back and relax after a day on your feet, try Taverna Inzolia, which offers 20 different local wines by the glass daily. turismevilafranca.com