Lleida’s Zona Alta drew hundreds of people on Friday night for the 14th Nit Oberta, a late-opening shopping and street event that ran until midnight. Around a hundred businesses took part with different activities, according to the merchants’ association.
The programme included fashion shows, live music, dance sessions, games, beauty and aesthetics areas, and artisan product sales. The association said it was grateful for the support of participating shops and businesses, and noted that the event would not have reached its 14th edition without them.
Food was a major part of the evening. Ricard Viñes square hosted the third edition of Tasta Lleida, an open-air tasting area focused on certified agro-food products from the Terres de Lleida, the Pirineu and Aran. Products on show included DOP Alt Urgell and Cerdanya Cheese, DOP Lleida Pear, DOP Les Garrigues, DOP Costers del Segre and IGP Agramunt Turrón, alongside the Catalan Council for Integrated Production.
Visitors also tried a special menu created by chef Salvador Trabalón of Saroa restaurant. It included a cheese royal with pear and summer truffle, a courgette and cherry flatbread with anchovy and extra virgin olive oil, and a turrón mousse covered in dark chocolate.
Bisbe Ruano street was closed to traffic and turned into a pedestrian area with shops open late, while activities for young people were centred on Balmes street. One of the evening’s most emotional moments came at La Percha, where owner Rosabel Trench is retiring and this was her final Nit Oberta.
The merchants’ association also said its pre-event campaign, “Buy in May, Win in June”, had validated 678 purchase tickets for prize draws. One draw held on Friday night awarded a €1,000 voucher for shopping at participating associated establishments. For more local business and city news, see our news coverage.