As every year, the first days of spring and the return of activity to the streets coincide with the celebration of La Festa de la Ciència (Science Festival) in Barcelona. The scientific fair that brings together the most activities in Catalonia returns for its 19th consecutive edition on Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19 taking place once again at the Born Market. Organized by the Barcelona City Council, it is an initiative that gathers more than 120 institutions, organizations, and research groups, offering over 180 activities throughout the weekend.
The topics covered in this 19th edition are as varied as the universe, nanotechnology, reading, or citizen science, presented in formats as diverse as talks, demonstrations, shows, or escape rooms. This year, to celebrate Barcelona as the World Capital of Architecture in 2026, this discipline will have a prominent role.
Festa de la Ciència 2026 programme
Nanomaterials and nanoencapsulation
On Sunday, April 19 at 11 a.m., the activity “Spherifications: from the lab to the plate!” will take place, led by Judit Morlà and Guillem Vargas, with the collaboration of Núria Pujol and Esperanza Medina. The activity will be held in the Spot 20: Basic Science.
The preparation of the activity
The workshop will consist of three parts. After a brief introduction to nanomaterials and fluorescence, participants will experiment with spherification techniques while reflecting on the uses of nanocapsules. There will also be a painting section and a puzzle to further develop the understanding of nanocapsules, their versatility, and their functionalization.
The Nanomol-bio group has maintained strong outreach activity for years. Through their initiatives, which have grown in depth and experience over time, people of all ages can engage with and experiment with science, making it an approachable discipline that sparks curiosity and inspires vocations.
La Festa de la Ciència 2026
The Science Festival is a large collective celebration of knowledge, research, and innovation that fills the city with curiosity, discoveries, and unforgettable experiences. Organized by the Department of Science and Innovation of the Barcelona City Council, it has been held annually for nineteen editions with the aim of bringing science closer to all citizens in an accessible, playful, and participatory way.
The entire venue is divided into 30 spaces, some of which are new this year. One example is the Neurolab, dedicated exclusively to the brain and linked to the FENS Forum, the largest neuroscience congress in Europe, which will take place in Barcelona from July 6 to 10. Another is The Secrets of Architecture, a space created to celebrate Barcelona as the World Capital of Architecture in 2026.
In addition, the festival will also include other spaces that have become classics of the event, such as those dedicated to health, the environment, technology, the study of the universe, reading, and citizen science. During the weekend, visitors will also be able to tour the two museum centers in Ciutadella Park, the Hivernacle and the Martorell Exhibition Centre. Those interested can also explore the archaeological site of El Born.
More information:
Festa de la Ciència 2026 programme
Arriba la 19ena edició de la Festa de la Ciència (Ajuntament de Barcelona, 2026)
