6th International Markets Week

English markets first promoted this event in 2014 to call attention their value as social centres and souls of their neighbourhoods. Municipal markets in Barcelona and around Catalonia have joined in, and this year marks the sixth edition of International Markets Week. From May 15 to 31, markets around the city host cultural, gastronomic and family activities, many of them free.

For example, on Friday, May 17 at the Mercat de Santa Caterina you can indulge in a wine tasting of wines from the Terra Alta, paired with local products to eat (7.30pm, €30), and on Saturday the 18th there's a cooking show at the Mercat de Horta (Tajo, 75; 11.30am) and a night-time tour of part of the excavation area of the Mercat de Sant Antoni, as part of the celebration of Museum Night.

Monday the 20th at the Boqueria you can learn how to make healthy juices, Tuesday the 21st in the Mercat de l'Estrella (Pi i Margall, 73) there's a family-orientated class on recipes with chocolate (€3).

On Saturday the 25th you can celebration International Hamburger Day at the Mercat de Sant Andreu (Plaça del Mercadal, 41), and the next day, back at Sant Antoni, you'll find poetry readings by Joan Vinuesa and Iolanda López.

The celebration wraps up on Sunday, June 2 with a tapas party at the Mercat de Ciutat Meridiana (Costabona, 4).