Valencia, July 15, 2026. – El Mercado de Colón is the meeting point for Valencians that unites the modernism of the past with the avant-garde, and it has celebrated its first Summer Festival because “it is a gathering agora for Valencians and visitors,” as explained by its president, José Manuel Manglano, who invited everyone to enjoy the summer from all its corners. Dressed in white with colorful necklaces, local residents tasted Iberian cured meats, artisanal cheeses, wines and cavas from Manglano, fruit from Fina, and fresh oysters and seafood from Martín y Mary. The“Hot Notes Trío” provided the music, featuring Guillermo Valero (trumpet and lead vocals), Edu Olmedo on drums, and David Sam on piano.

The small festival brought together numerous Valencians and locals and took place in the plaza located before descending the new and modern escalators. José Manuel Manglano took the floor to invite Valencia’s socio-economic and cultural world to join the Mercado de Colón Community and to make use of this unique modernist space for their most important moments and activities: “Along with the Mercado de Colón Awards in February and the Christmas lights ceremony at the end of November, we want to have you connected with us at least three times a year, to show the world that El Mercado de Colón is more than a place for leisure or shopping, more than a magnificent modernist building; that El Mercado de Colón is a meeting agora for all Valencians and all visitors, that El Mercado de Colón is yours so that, when you cross any of the incredible eight wrought-iron doors, you feel you are crossing a threshold that transports you from the street into your own home.”

It became clear to everyone that El Mercado de Colón is a symbol of a vibrant Valencia and, for many, it is their second home—the place to go and to meet up with family and friends. Every day, groups of all ages gather here from 9 in the morning until the early hours of the morning, sharing a singular and unique space with an extensive gastronomic offering. This includes great chefs such as Ricard Camarena, Diego Laso, and Steve Anderson, who, from their spaces Habitual, Bar X, Momiji, and Ma Khin, guarantee signature cuisine, as well as gastronomic terraces like Pantalan 5, Suc de Lluna, or Mi Cub. Additionally, in Valencia, traditional horchaterías like Daniel and Casa Orxata could not be missing, nor could places for afternoon drinks or a cocktail after dinner such as Down Monkey Business or Lupin Piano Bar, not to mention those always-open spots like Vino y Flores, Green Point, or Las Cervezas del Mercado.

This was made even clearer while tasting the best oysters in the world and the finest prawns from Denia, offered by Luis Lázaro from Martín y Mary Pescadería Gourmet. Aurelio Comes from Frutas y Verduras Fina prepared the freshest delights with Costa Rican pineapple and local melon. The artisanal cured meats and cheeses from Manglano are essentials in Colón. Indeed, in the lower part of the Market, everything can be purchased at its stalls. Varea always offers the best freshly cut meat, homemade prepared dishes as if your own mother had made them, or gourmet burgers.

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

Photos copyright César Canto/ Le Clik

Mercado Colón (Colón Market)

Carrer de Jorge Juan, 19

46004 València, Spain

Website: https://mercadocolon.es/