Roses, in the Alt Empordà region, is launching a new gastromusical event called 'HolaEstiu' to welcome summer, replacing the long-standing Rose Fair. The Economic Promotion Department of Roses Town Council created the initiative to modernise and revitalise early June activities, offering an experience focused on music and gastronomy for both locals and tourists.
This change reflects an effort to adapt local events to new formats, aiming for broader appeal. The previous Rose Fair, held at the beginning of June, will no longer take place. The new 'HolaEstiu' programme is designed to be more dynamic, according to town council officials.
Promoting Local Gastronomy and Culture
The town continues to promote its culinary scene through various initiatives. The 'Ruta de les Tapes' (Tapas Route) is a significant annual event, with its tenth edition taking place from 13 to 22 March. This year, 85 establishments participated, offering culinary creations paired with DO Empordà wines. The Hotel Marina's prawn coulant and the Norat 1935 essence tapa were among the winners of the 2026 edition, decided by popular and jury votes.
To mark its tenth anniversary, the Ruta de les Tapes rewarded participants who tasted all 85 tapas and featured an exhibition of posters from previous editions. Voting for the best tapa was updated this year, with street-installed post boxes replacing in-establishment ballot boxes. Nine restaurants received special recognition for participating in all ten editions of the Ruta de les Tapes.
Roses also dedicates April to wine culture as part of the Vívid Festival, the Costa Brava's enotourism month. This includes wine tasting workshops at the Aula Gastronòmica-Espai Juli Soler and the eleventh Mostra del Vi DO Empordà (DO Empordà Wine Exhibition) on 26 April.
Tourism and Economic Development
Beyond gastronomy, Roses is actively promoting its natural and cultural attractions. Tourism de Roses recently hosted a press trip for journalists and tourism professionals, showcasing the area's nature, active tourism, enogastronomy, and cultural heritage, particularly focusing on Roses and Cap de Creus.
The Port of Roses is also working to attract quality, sustainable cruise lines. It participated in the Seatrade Cruise Global fair in Miami, alongside the ports of Palamós and La Ràpita, to promote the region to major cruise companies and operators.
Local employment initiatives are also underway. The 'Feina Jove Roses' (Youth Work Roses) programme, run by the Town Council's Youth Department, connects young people aged 16 to 29 with local businesses. A new edition of the Socio-Health Care Course, a fully subsidised programme required for working in care homes, started in April.
Wellness and Entrepreneurship
Roses is also launching the 'Dedins' wellness cycle, starting with a free conference on 'Self-esteem and Happiness' by psychologist Antoni Bolinches on 16 May at the Municipal Theatre. This will be followed by an immersive experience led by wellness tourism specialist Edgar Tarrés, focusing on consciousness and breathing practices. The event will also present the full programme for the 'Dedins' cycle.
In the broader Alt Empordà region, the 18th edition of the Emprenedors Awards is open for applications until 20 April for the Entrepreneur and Innovation Awards, and until 30 April for the Best Business Idea Award, aimed at students. These awards recognise entrepreneurial talent and innovation, including an honorary distinction for established business trajectories.
Looking ahead, the Aula Gastronòmica-Espai Juli Soler has scheduled workshops from April to June, featuring wine tastings from local wineries, market cuisine, and seafood dishes prepared by local chefs and fishermen. Registrations for these events opened on 1 April.
