Barcelona's Raval district will host its renowned Sant Ponç fair on 11 May 2026, as cities across Catalonia celebrate the patron saint of herbalists and beekeepers with markets full of medicinal herbs and honey.

The fair on Carrer de l'Hospital in Barcelona is the most famous, according to VilaWeb, and is documented as the oldest, dating back to the Middle Ages. Records show it has been held on this street since 1817. Stalls will operate throughout the day.

These fairs typically run between May and June, coinciding with the peak flowering period for medicinal herbs. This timing allows for the maximum extraction of their properties. Streets and squares will fill with lavender, thyme, rosemary, and chamomile, alongside products such as honey and jams.

Some folklorists believe these fairs may be successors to ancient festivals honouring Flora, the Roman goddess of vegetation. From the 16th century, this pagan spring celebration appears to have been Christianised, aligning with the feast day of Sant Ponç.

Barcelona's Historic Sant Ponç Fair

The legend states that Sant Ponç arrived in Barcelona while fleeing Roman persecutors. Upon seeing the poverty and illness in the city, he began preparing remedies using herbs, ointments, and honey.

During the fair, Carrer de l'Hospital will feature stalls selling honey, candied fruit, jams, fresh cheese, artisan cheeses, and medicinal herbs. Visitors can also find natural cosmetics, herbal liqueurs, and organic foods, blending tradition with new health and wellness trends.

In some locations, the tradition of blessing the herbs continues. People believe this practice gives the herbs greater healing power, and many store them at home for the entire year.

Other Aromatic and Medicinal Herb Fairs

While the Ciutat Vella fair is the most established, many others are held throughout Catalonia. Here are some of the main Sant Ponç fairs scheduled for 2026:

  • Sant Ponç Fair, Sarrià (Barcelona): 11 May
  • Sant Ponç Fair, el Farró (Barcelona): 9 May
  • Sant Ponç Fair, les Roquetes, Carrer de Romaní (Barcelona): 15 May
  • Sant Ponç Fair, Sant Llorenç Savall (Vallès Occidental): 10 May
  • Sant Ponç Fair-Market, Cànoves i Samalús (Vallès Oriental): 9 and 10 May
  • Sant Ponç Fair, Viladecans (Baix Llobregat): 10 May
  • Trementinaires Festival and Fair, Tuixent (Alt Urgell): 29, 30 and 31 May
  • Remeiart Fair, Santa Margarida i els Monjos (Alt Penedès): 29 May to 7 June
  • Sant Ponç Gathering, Sant Julià de Vilatorta (Osona): 11 May, 10am, at the Sant Ponç Chapel, Puigsec farmhouse
  • Herb Fair, Selva (Mallorca): 13 June 2026

The Herb Fair in Selva, Mallorca, is one of the most unique celebrations in the Balearic Islands. The entire village fills with aromatic and medicinal plants, and traditions such as the distillation of myrtle, used for medicinal, cosmetic, and gastronomic purposes, are revived.