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La Mercè: dates and highlights of Barcelona's most important festival

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La Mercè is Barcelona's most significant festival, celebrated in honor of the Virgin of Mercy, the city's patron saint. Taking place from September 24 to 27, this event transforms Barcelona into a cultural hub filled with activities, concerts, fire shows, and parades featuring giants and big-headed figures. One of the festival's highlights is the "Correfoc," where groups of devils and fantastical creatures parade through the streets, igniting fireworks. The festival also features traditional Catalan "castells," or human towers, and family-friendly activities like workshops and dance performances. During four days, Barcelona will experience a musical explosion during La Mercè. Artists worldwide will perform across multiple stages, offering over 100 free concerts. Each year, around one million people enjoy a diverse program of leisure, culture, gastronomy, and community activities suitable for all audiences.

This year's festival introduces eight performance locations: the Teatre Grec, Avenida de la Catedral, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol, Passeig de los Til·lers in Parc de la Ciutadella, Plaça Major de Nou Barris, Calle Menéndez y Pelayo, and Bogatell Beach. The performances and activities in the squares, streets, and parks will occur at different times: Friday, September 20: 7 PM to 2:30 AM Saturday, September 21: 10 AM to 2:30 AM Sunday, September 22: 10 AM to midnight Monday, September 23: 7:30 PM to 1:30 AM Tuesday, September 24: 8 AM to 10:30 PM

"Four intense days, during which the entire city will have the opportunity to experience the celebration".

Activities will span various districts including Ciutat Vella, L’Eixample, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sants-Montjuïc, and Sant Martí. Traditional cultural events—such as the giants, fire shows, castells, and sardanas—will occur at Avenida de la Catedral, the Basilica of La Mercè, the Born Centre of Culture and Memory, La Rambla, and more. The Música Mercè festival will showcase concerts at various locations, while BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) will feature performances in areas like Plaça de Catalunya and Moll de la Fusta.

Street art performances as part of the Mercè Arts de Calle festival will be held at Montjuïc Castle, and various parks throughout the city. Light and fire shows will illuminate Bogatell Beach and Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina. To enhance your experience, the La Mercè app allows you to explore nearby activities based on your location, receive real-time updates, and curate your favorites by theme, space, and time.

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La Mercè: dates and highlights of Barcelona's most important festival

La Mercè: dates and highlights of Barcelona's most important festival

Music in all its genres and styles, popular culture, and street arts will take center stage in the programming of the La Mercè festival

Written by

Jean G. Fowler

Jean G. Fowler

La Mercè is Barcelona's most significant festival, celebrated in honor of the Virgin of Mercy, the city's patron saint. Taking place from September 24 to 27, this event transforms Barcelona into a cultural hub filled with activities, concerts, fire shows, and parades featuring giants and big-headed figures. One of the festival's highlights is the "Correfoc," where groups of devils and fantastical creatures parade through the streets, igniting fireworks. The festival also features traditional Catalan "castells," or human towers, and family-friendly activities like workshops and dance performances. During four days, Barcelona will experience a musical explosion during La Mercè. Artists worldwide will perform across multiple stages, offering over 100 free concerts. Each year, around one million people enjoy a diverse program of leisure, culture, gastronomy, and community activities suitable for all audiences.

This year's festival introduces eight performance locations: the Teatre Grec, Avenida de la Catedral, Plaça de Sant Jaume, Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol, Passeig de los Til·lers in Parc de la Ciutadella, Plaça Major de Nou Barris, Calle Menéndez y Pelayo, and Bogatell Beach. The performances and activities in the squares, streets, and parks will occur at different times: Friday, September 20: 7 PM to 2:30 AM Saturday, September 21: 10 AM to 2:30 AM Sunday, September 22: 10 AM to midnight Monday, September 23: 7:30 PM to 1:30 AM Tuesday, September 24: 8 AM to 10:30 PM

"Four intense days, during which the entire city will have the opportunity to experience the celebration".

Activities will span various districts including Ciutat Vella, L’Eixample, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sants-Montjuïc, and Sant Martí. Traditional cultural events—such as the giants, fire shows, castells, and sardanas—will occur at Avenida de la Catedral, the Basilica of La Mercè, the Born Centre of Culture and Memory, La Rambla, and more. The Música Mercè festival will showcase concerts at various locations, while BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) will feature performances in areas like Plaça de Catalunya and Moll de la Fusta.

Street art performances as part of the Mercè Arts de Calle festival will be held at Montjuïc Castle, and various parks throughout the city. Light and fire shows will illuminate Bogatell Beach and Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina. To enhance your experience, the La Mercè app allows you to explore nearby activities based on your location, receive real-time updates, and curate your favorites by theme, space, and time.

Are you a writer at heart?

Are you a writer at heart?

As the unforgettable Mariska Veres once sang, ♫ 'Send me a postcard, darling,' ♫ Send us your adventures, stories, or tips, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

As the unforgettable Mariska Veres once sang, ♫ 'Send me a postcard, darling,' ♫ Send us your adventures, stories, or tips, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Share your overseas experiences with us

Share your overseas experiences with us