4 Christmas markets you must visit in Barcelona

Christmas season has already started, as well as the tricky challenge of finding the perfect present for friends and family. Most of us will end up in a fast fashion chain which can be found in any city and, without noticing, some classical socks or pijama will end up in your bag. It is a fast and easy option, of course, but are you sure its the one that matches with you? Today I’m proposing you some different alternatives for you to buy Christmas presents locally and in a more sustainable way and to have fun while doing it. Trust me, it’s possible! How? With Christmas markets.

 

Pictures of We Love Cats Market

 

December is also the kick off of Christmas markets in Barcelona. Every weekend there are small designers markets where you can buy presents made by creators who struggle to produce here and enhance local economy. In these events you will find jewelry, handbags, stoke, fashion and illustration firms. Let me recommend you the four markets I think you must visit and an online initiative which can help you if you prefer to buy online. Take notes!

 

My recommended Christmas markets in Barcelona

 

• We Love Cats Market (November 30th – December 1st, 2019): It might be a bit weird that I start with the market I organize and the one that’s held at CREC Poble Sec, but it is my devotion and takes place the first weekend of December. Not only you’ll be able to bay creations from almost 40 brands, but this market has a solidary background. Thus, every year we donate the profit to an association which looks after abandoned cats in Barcelona and provides them a home. This year are hosting the 8th edition and we have funded almost 15.000€.

 

• Festivalet (December 14th and 15th, 2019): This is THE market. This year they are celebrating the 12th edition and it has become a reference among independent fairs and markets in the city. Creatives and artists from all around Europe meet here to sell their work and more than 10.000 people attend the event every year. It is held at Museu Marítim and it is really worth it.
  

 

 

• Design Market (December 13th, 14th and 15th, 2019): FAD also organizes its own creatives show. In this case, it takes place at the Disseny Hub museum in Barcelona. The selection here is wider and you’ll find both artists and craft brands. The common denominator of all the participants is the “Disseny Barcelona” certificate, given that most of the expositors are local and use design from different perspectives.

 

• Give Print a Chance (December 14th and 15th, 2019): This will be the 6th edition of this market, which is 100% focused on silkscreen printing, a manual print technique that uses different kinds of materials. So, if you are passionate for illustration, prints and printed shirts and bags, you can’t miss it because you’ll surely find the perfect present.

 

 

#yoregalotalentolocal, the online alternative to markets

 

If you are not keen on agglomerations, I have an alternative for you which you can take from your couch. I’m talking about #yoregalotalentolocal, a project the goal of which is to enhance small creatives and make them became a real alternative to big companies, which cause so many inequality all around the world.

In their website you’ll find a directory with more than 100 partner craft brands which produce locally. Are you joining this movement that transforms massive consume into a more sustainable one? In the end, making Christmas more responsible depends on us.