This Saturday at 9 p.m., Zaragoza’s firefighters will step onto the City Hall balcony to deliver the opening address for the 2026 Pilar Festival. 122 years ago, the city prepared something resembling a tribute to them that nobody remembers today: a 16-meter medieval castle in the middle of what is now Plaza de España, where they were supposed to put out a fake fire. It was designed by the man who led them.
Zaragoza tram workers will strike from October 19, immediately after the Pilar festivities. The works council has unanimously approved 21 two-hour partial stoppages spread across 19 days until November 30. The decision follows several months of negotiations without an agreement on the working conditions set out in the Third Collective Agreement.
Guimarães knows what it means to be on the other side of the decision Zaragoza is now awaiting. The Portuguese city was chosen as European Green Capital 2026 and is currently hosting cities that, like the Aragonese capital, aspire to take its place. From there, Alberto Martins, Guimarães City Council’s councillor for Sustainability, explains to Aragón Digital what his city did to secure the title. His answer does not point to one major project, but to something far more difficult: maintaining the same direction for years. "It has been a consistent journey, backed by broad agreement across the entire community, including political forces," he says.
If Zaragoza has a new trendy food district, it is the area around Azoque Street. Several restaurant chains are betting on this central location. Berto's Milanesa opened its doors this October, while Voltereta is also expected to open its second Zaragoza venue. Now, a new café and bakery is joining the area: SantaGloria Coffee & Bakery is preparing to open its sixth location in Zaragoza.
The indefinite cleaning strike in Zaragoza has opened a new front. The FCC Parks and Gardens works council has expressed its “full solidarity and unconditional support” for FCC Environment staff and backed their demands for a new collective agreement with improvements in pay, work-life balance and equality.
The first few minutes were marked by the inevitable tension of major events: seven people before an international jury, a presentation in English and 30 minutes to convince them that Zaragoza deserves to be European Green Capital 2028.
Zaragoza has passed the European assessment, and among the proposals it presented in Guimarães is a particularly striking one: Green Vive Latino. The well-known festival held in September will undergo changes this year. If the city is named European Green Capital 2028, a tree will be planted for every ticket sold. The initiative is part of the more than 150 actions the bid plans to develop during the year of the title under the slogan "Zaragoza Cares. Naturally," with the aim of turning the designation into a program involving the people of Zaragoza.
Expresion’s Bellas Artes is closing after four decades selling art and craft supplies. The store announced its retirement on social media and launched a clearance sale with discounts of up to 40%.
More than two years after opening its restaurant with a waterfall and lake, Voltereta is doubling down on Zaragoza. The Valencian company is preparing to open a second venue in the Aragonese capital, this time in the heart of the city, which is expected to be ready in 2027. It will be another step in the expansion of a brand that arrived in Zaragoza in 2024 with a concept designed to turn a meal into a fully immersive experience.
The morning was devoted to fine-tuning the final details, while this afternoon brings the moment of truth. Zaragoza’s delegation in Guimarães is making the most of the hours before presenting its bid to the international jury that will decide which city becomes European Green Capital 2028. The team held a full rehearsal at its hotel this morning, a final test before taking the bid to the real stage. Mayor Natalia Chueca, councillors Tatiana Gaudes and Blanca Solans, and Aragón Digital are accompanying the delegation during these decisive hours.
The countdown to the Pilar Festival has begun, and Zaragoza is preparing to change much of its urban mobility. From this Friday, October 9, major festivities, the opening of the Valdespartera fairgrounds and the arrival of thousands of people in the city center will require stronger public transport services, along with closures and diversions in some areas of the city.
Many of the buildings and furnishings built for the 2008 International Expo in Zaragoza are being given a new lease of life. Work is already underway to redevelop the Water Tower, including the installation of an elevator to a panoramic observation deck at the top of the building.
CV in hand, many questions and the hope of finding an open door. Zaragoza’s 6th Employment Fair brings 80 companies and organizations to the Auditorium’s Multi-Purpose Hall this Wednesday, offering nearly 700 jobs. Its visitors share one goal: finding a work opportunity.
Finding a job, changing careers or seeking a first opportunity. Zaragoza’s 6th Employment Fair opened the doors of the Auditorium’s Multi-Purpose Hall this Wednesday, October 7, with nearly 700 job openings and 80 companies, institutions and organizations from numerous sectors. From early morning, dozens of people queued with their resumes to attend an event that once again directly connects candidates and employers.
Just two days remain before Valdespartera once again becomes one of the main hubs of the Fiestas del Pilar. Workers, fairground operators and technical teams are putting the finishing touches in place before the Valdespartera fairgrounds and Space Zity open their doors this Friday, October 9. The fairgrounds will remain open until October 25, for 17 days, while Space Zity will host its program from October 9 to 17.
The restoration of mobility around Portillo will take two more days than expected. The complete opening of Escoriaza y Fabro Street, which will directly connect the Ciudadanía roundabout with Goya Avenue, was initially scheduled for this Wednesday but will now take place on Friday, October 9. According to officials overseeing the Zaragoza Alta Velocidad works, which are transforming Portillo and its surroundings, the delay affects all traffic changes planned for this phase of the project. All the changes in the area will therefore come into effect on Friday. ALL CHANGES FROM FRIDAY The main developments will include the complete opening of Escoriaza y Fabro, restoring a direct connection between the Ciudadanía roundabout and Goya Avenue. Planned changes at the intersection of Anselmo Clavé, San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer and María Agustín promenade will also take effect. These changes represent further progress in restoring mobility around Portillo, one of Zaragoza’s areas that has experienced the most traffic disruption in recent weeks because of the works. Some routes had already been restored in September, including the turn between María Agustín and Escrivá de Balaguer and the usual routes of several bus lines.
Dozens of FCC Medio Ambiente workers gathered on Wednesday morning at Zaragoza's Multi-Purpose Hall in one of the first demonstrations of the indefinite strike affecting street cleaning, waste collection and recycling centers. The walkout began at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, just days before the start of the Fiestas del Pilar, after the company and unions failed to reach an agreement to renew the collective bargaining agreement.
Zaragoza would be unrecognizable without its bars. Over the decades, many establishments in the Aragonese capital have become true landmarks, welcoming several generations of residents day and night. Many of these venues have been operating for more than 40 or 50 years, demonstrating their consistent quality, service and homely atmosphere.
Horno Ismael has been part of Zaragoza’s pastry-making history since 1978. Over more than four decades, several generations have passed through its shops, turning some of its traditional sweets into essentials for celebrations, afternoon snacks and family gatherings.
Being European Green Capital is about more than prestige: the city that receives the recognition also gets a €600,000 award from the European Commission to promote projects related to the ecological transition and urban sustainability during its year as capital. For Zaragoza, which will compete in Guimarães this week to become European Green Capital 2028, the title would also place the city on the international stage for environmental policies.
