| FAIRS AND MARKETS The market has its origin in Vilafranca as recorded in a document dated from the early 12th century, which mentions the existence of the Villa. Markets played an essential role in the foundation of Vilafranca and later in its expansion. Nowadays, there are four regular town markets: the Meat Market, the Pelegrina Market, St. Salvador Market and the Fruits and Vegetables Market. There are also two alternative markets: the Saturday Market and the Tuesday Market, close to the Markets of St. Salvador and La Pelegrina respectively. |  |
Saturday is the most important day in Vilafranca, as it is the day of the weekly market. Located in the centre of the city and visited by thousands of people every week. This fact makes the Saturday market one of the most important markets in Catalonia. You can find everything there: food, house products, clothes, agricultural machinery and even live poultry, which remains a very popular market.
 | Towards the middle of May, the trade-fair of May or Lovers Fairs takes place. During these four days the market place becomes the meeting point to purchase machinery and agricultural and trade products. The Cockerels' Fair takes place the weekend before Christmas. It is an ancient market for poultry reared by local farmers and also is complemented by red wines of the Penedès region. |
The second Sunday of every month, you will find the Craftsmen Market and Antiques Collection Market located right in the heart of the city. This occasion gathers together more than thirty craftsmen of natural food, potters, jewellers, glass makers, etc…, who sell their exclusive products. In addition a large group of collectors offer curious objects interesting not only for their antiquity but also for their value as individual collectors items.
At the end of the year you will find all the Christmas products you are looking for, in the Santa Llúcia's Fair.
TOWN FESTIVITY
Vilafranca's calendar of festivity reaches its peak on 29th August at noon, when the Town Festivity begins. This feast has been declared of national interest, due the preservation of its folklore and its cultural richness.
During these three days the streets are full of people who follow the evolution of dances and who express their emotion on St. Fèlix's day. They also love the show of music and fire that points out the entry of the Saint into Santa Maria's church. Dances on the streets, theatre and concerts, complete a festivity where the people are the main characters.
MARKET CALENDAR
| WEEKLY MARKET On Saturdays, centre of the town |
| VEGETABLES MARKET Working days, Sant Joan square |
| TUESDAY MARKET Next to the market of Sant Salvador and la Pelegrina |
| FRESH PRODUCTS MARKET Working days at the markets of Sant Salvador, la Pelegrina and the Meat Market |
| CRAFTSMEN MARKET AND ANTIQUES MARKET Second Sunday of every month |
| CALENDAR OF FAIRS AND FESTIVITIES |
| JANUARY CABALGATA DE REYES (The Three Wise Men’s Cavalcade) FIESTAS DE SANT RAIMON (St. Raimon’s Festivity) FIESTA DEL " XATÓ" (salad with a typical dressing) ELS 3 TOMBS (festivity where the carrier animals are blessed) APLEC DE SANT PAU (meeting at St. Pau’s mountain) |
| FEBRUARY CARNIVAL PENEDÈS THEATRE CONTEST |
| MARCH SECOND-HAND VEHICLES TRADE-FAIR CARAMELLES (traditional songs) |
| APRIL FIRAVI DIADA DE SANT JORDI (St. George’s day on 23rd April) DIADA DEL GRALLER |
| MAY MAY TRADE FAIR OR LOVERS FAIR |
| JUNE FESTIU (Theatre, concerts and activities) |
| JULY DIFFERENT DISTRICT FESTIVITIES Every week in a different district |
| AUGUST BREAD WITH WINE AND SUGAR FESTIVITY TOWN FESTIVITY (from 29th August to 2nd September) |
| SEPTEMBER CATALONIA NATIONAL FESTIVITY |
| NOVEMBER FEAST DAY OF VILAFRANCA’S TOWERMEN |
| DECEMBER TRADE FAIR OF ST. LLÚCIA COCKERELS TRADE FAIR (weekend before Christmas) DIVER HIVERN |