Central Catalonia is preparing for a busy May Bank Holiday weekend, with towns across the region hosting a variety of events from Friday to Sunday. Activities include historical recreations, popular walks, craft fairs, and musical performances, offering options for all ages.
In Berga, the Fira de Maig (May Fair) will run from Friday to Sunday in Plaça Viladomat and Passeig Indústria. The fair features around 30 stands from local organisations and businesses, over 60 artisan and food stalls, a food truck area, and children's attractions. The programme also includes sports exhibitions, workshops, shows, music, sardanes, theatre, and environmental education activities. Opening hours are 17:30 to 21:30 on Friday, 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 22:00 on Saturday, and 10:00 to 14:00 on Sunday, according to ajberga.cat.
Avià will host its 36th Popular Walk on Sunday, starting at 8:30 from Plaça de l'Ateneu. Registration is from 8:00 to 9:00, with an €8 fee and discounts available. The 12 km route is mostly flat. A 5th Instagram photography competition will also take place, awarding three prizes. More information is available from Avià Town Council on 93 823 00 00 or [email protected].
Historical Recreations and Cultural Celebrations
Balsareny will celebrate the Day of the Industrial Colonies of Alt Llobregat on Friday. The event starts at 9:30 at Colònia Soldevila with a circular heritage itinerary. A popular lunch will follow at 14:00 for €15, requiring prior registration at www.parcdelasequia.cat. At 16:00, there will be a sardana performance by the Cobla Ciutat de Granollers.
Callús will return to the year 1900 with its Fira de les Filadores (Spinners' Fair) on Sunday on Carretera Cardona. The town will recreate its industrial past with historical scenes. The day includes a popular breakfast at 10:00, a call and entry to the factory at 10:45, the presentation of a 'capgròs' (big-head figure) at 11:00, a sewing session at 11:15, and a performance by the Escola de Dansa de l'Esbart Manresà at 12:15.
Castelladral's Festa Major begins on Friday at 16:00 with a 'botifarra' card game competition. A scavenger hunt follows at 17:00, and a popular sardine barbecue at 20:30 for €10. Saturday features a walk starting at 8:00 from Plaça de Castelladral, with 4 km and 14 km routes. Registration and breakfast cost €8, or €5 for children. Other Saturday events include a football match at 16:30, 'coca' with chocolate at 17:30, a Crawler RC meeting at 17:45, an inflatable castle in the square, and a concert by the duo Lucky Luck at 19:00. Sunday's programme includes mass at 10:45, a photo exhibition by Albert Obradors at 11:00, a concert by Pocasolfes and a performance by the Gegantó de Navàs, a popular aperitif at 13:00, and a 'pluja de paneres' (basket raffle) at 13:30.
Nature, Music, and Art Events
In Igualada, the event "From Blue to Ochre: A Journey through the Rec neighbourhood from the Via Blava" will take place on Sunday from 11:00 to 12:30. This activity explores the river's role as a raw material and energy source, and its influence on the urban landscape of the Rec neighbourhood. It is aimed at young people and adults, with more information and registration available at v0-viablavaanoia.vercel.app/.
Montserrat continues its Millennium celebrations with the Lux Splendens videomapping experience in the Basilica of Santa Maria. This immersive show runs from Sunday to Friday at 15:15, and on Saturdays at 20:15. Free reservations can be made at abadiamontserrat.cat/reserves. On Sunday at 12:15, there will be a choral offering by the Aktor children's choir, the Svyatoslav Rikhter music school, and a folk dance group from Zhitomur, Ukraine. On Tuesday 5 May at 12:45, the Francis Holland Sloane Square Girls Choir from London, England, will perform a choral offering.
Prades de la Molsosa will host the Fira de Sant Ponç on Sunday. The fair starts with a breakfast from 9:00 to 11:00, followed by the 25th Craft, Food, and Street Music Fair from 10:00. The morning also includes a viewing of photographs and films from the 1970s and 80s. Mass for Sant Ponç is at 10:45, followed by 'mató' cheese making at 11:30, and a parade through the streets by La Diatònica. At 12:00, the book "Prades de la Molsosa, història i cultura a la Fornal. 25 anys de relats d'història del nostre poble" will be presented. A concert by La Diatònica is scheduled for 13:30 in the square, with a popular paella lunch at 14:00. From 15:30 to 16:45, there will be a popular Catalan bowling competition, followed by folk dancing with La Diatònica and a popular hot chocolate event at 17:00.
Exploring Nature and Local Culture
Sallent's Tourism Week includes bird ringing at La Corbatera on Saturday, with sessions at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. A visit to Sallent Castle is also available on Saturday at 11:00, requiring prior registration. On Sunday, a nature outing to Mas de les Coves starts at 9:30 from the Geoparc Visitors' Centre, also requiring prior registration. Details are available at sallentturisme.cat.
Santpedor en Flor (Santpedor in Bloom) takes place on Saturday in Plaça Gran 1 d'Octubre from 10:00 to 14:00, featuring a local market. A floral cyanotype workshop is at 11:00, followed by a vermouth concert with Tres en Punt at 12:30. At 11:00, at the Cal Llovet car park, the Xisblufa show by Cia Fadunito will offer a clown performance. At 18:00, Dansaflor'26 by the Escola de Dansa de Castellnou will be held at Cal Llovet. The Tabalfest Santpedor parade starts and ends at Plaça Gran 1 d'Octubre at 19:00, organised by the Associació Cultura Popular Escoles de Santpedor.
Sunday in Santpedor starts at 10:00 from Cal Clarassó with a theatrical tour of the medieval town, led by Francesc de Perellós, Constança de Pròixida, and Berenguer çaVila. Registration is at www.santpedor.cat. At 11:00 in Plaça Gran 1 d'Octubre, there will be a dance exhibition by the Escola de Dansa de Castellnou. A parade of popular culture groups starts at 12:00 from Plaça Gran 1 d'Octubre, organised by the Associació Cultura Popular Escoles de Santpedor, Colla de Geganters i Grallers de Santpedor, Batuk d'Or, and Bous de Foc. At 13:00, the Ca l'Arola Senior Citizens' Home choir will perform at the Sant Andreu Chapel. The weekend concludes with a concert by Gemma Humet at 18:00 in the Convent de Sant Francesc auditorium, as part of the .Convent cycle. Tickets are available at codetickets.com.
These events offer a full programme for residents and visitors to enjoy the May Bank Holiday, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Central Catalonia.
