Fira de Barcelona organizes countless events throughout the year, mainly trade shows to boost the economy spanning across many sectors. But when the year ends and most of the population takes a break during the Christmas lull, it's time for the little ones at home.
Today marks the start of the Children's Festival at the Montjuïc fairground. The family event, which has been taking place since 1963, brings together over 60 activities this time, as explained by the organization in a statement. It will combine adventure, learning, sports, music, creativity, and values, among other areas. It will be open until December 31st.
“Our greatest wish is for this Christmas to be a unique opportunity to enjoy with family,” says the festival's president, Nuria Basi. “We want to create unforgettable memories filled with fun and reinforce essential values such as solidarity, mutual respect, and coexistence,” she adds. To achieve this, the Infància Festival will feature over 20,000 m2 between palacio número dos and Plaça del Univers.
Held at the Fira de Barcelona venue in Montjuïc, it will end on December 31st
Among the new features is a new gastronomy space called Flavor Explorers. This section allows children to explore the world of cooking through activities. For example, there will be cooking workshops led by professional chefs and also tastings promoting a “varied and nutritious” diet, explained the organization. “These activities promote healthy eating habits, teaching the little ones the importance of eating well while having fun cooking,” add their promoters.
As every year, the Barcelona City Council participates in the organization and distributes over 2,000 solidarity invitations to non-profit associations in the Catalan capital aimed at children at risk of social exclusion. They also distribute 600 invitations to the Sant Joan de Déu hospital, specialized in pediatrics.
Furthermore, one of the novelties this year will be a solidarity toy store. In it, attendees will be able to play with the toys which, at the end of the event, will be donated to children in vulnerable situations.
Intended for children ages 0 to 12 years
The festival is aimed at children aged 0 to 12. The youngest, up to 4 years old, will have access to a specific area with games and shows including magic, dances, puppets, and storytelling. For older kids, there will also be a circuit with ramps and obstacles, tricycle races, balance bikes, vintage cars, and electric motorcycles.
Another novelty will be an activity called “24 hours of Montmeló,” consisting of a remote-controlled car race on a recreation of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, managed by Fira starting next year.
In addition to inflatables, ball pools, and the ability to recreate the towers of the Sagrada Família thanks to 3D printing, participants will also have the opportunity to climb aboard a Barcelona Fire Department truck and vehicles from the Urban Guard. Among other activities, there will be some to learn about road safety.
The Children's Festival has its own mobile application that, among other things, allows users to “check real-time waiting times” for each activity.
