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Barcelona, a city known for hosting some of the best and most vivid festivals in Europe, is yet again preparing for the biggest street party of the year, Les Festes de la Mercè.

This exciting festival taking place from the 23rd to the 27th September is the Catalan capital’s way of saying farewell to the warmer months and ending the summer season with a bang! This traditional fiesta is held in the city centre every September in honour of one of the patron saints of Barcelona, La Mare de Deu de la Mercè (or ‘Our Lady of Mercy’).

Be sure to make your way to some of the most anticipated events including parades, concerts and fireworks shows! Plus, there’s free admission to most activities and events, so you absolutely can’t miss this colourful festival on your trip to Barcelona.

La Mercè Festival traditions

Gegants & Capgrossos

One of the highlights of the Mercè Festival is undoubtedly the Gegants and Capgrossos (giants and big heads), a renowned attraction and one to be enjoyed by the whole family!

Best described as tall papier-mâché figures worn by ‘giant carriers’, these characters perform dances while the parade makes its way through the streets of Barcelona. Here you’re sure to see an endless variation of creative and imaginative designs! An added bonus is that the Capgrossos often run at the crowds and interact, making for an all-round unforgettable Barcelona experience! 

Dates and times: The City Giants’ route takes off from Plaça de St Jaume on Wednesday 23rd September at 10pm.

Correfoc

The ‘Fire Run’, also known as the Correfoc, is one of the most anticipated events during the Festes de la Mercè. Dragons, devils and various ‘bestiari de foc’ (fire beasts) perform dances and parades with fire while an estimated 80,000 fireworks are set off!

Don’t worry if you are visiting Barcelona with children as there is a ‘Little Devils’ fire run especially for younger kids, which usually kicks off a little earlier in the day.

Dates and times: On Saturday 26th September, from Passeig de Gràcia with Provença to Passeig de Gràcia with Consell de Cent. Starting at 8.30 and finishing around 11pm. The children’s fire run will take place earlier the same day from 6 to 7.45pm.

Castellers

One of the events that should definitely not be missed is the Castellers show! Also known as human towers, you are sure to find yourself enchanted by the Castellers as they climb up one another, sometimes as high as 8 stories, finishing off each structure with a small child climbing to the top of the tower.

An age-old custom dating back to the 18^th century, this particular tradition originated in the province of Tarragona, located just outside of Barcelona. It is a well known fact that the top Castellers teams from all over Catalonia perform at La Mercè Festival, so you are definitely in for a treat! 

Dates and times: Thursday 24th September at Plaça de Sant Jaume from 1 to 3pm.

La Sardana

One of the most Catalan traditions is practised throughout the region over La Mercè. This dance is one of Catalonia’s most recognisable traditional dances. Dancers join hands to form a circle and perform a precise sequence of steps to the music of a traditional cobla. This tradition is seen all over Barcelona and danced by people of all ages.

Dates and times: On Thursday 24th September, there will be Sardana dancing with the Associació Cultural Folkòrica Barcelona at Plaça de la Mercè from 6 to 7.45pm.

Live Music

If you’re a fan of live shows, then the concerts that run alongside the Mercè Festival are sure to satisfy your musical needs! Concerts BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) hold a variety of performances by various international music groups, all gathered in Barcelona especially for La Mercè, as they have done for years!

More than a 100 concerts usually take place over this week-long festival in locations across the city, including Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça dels Àngels and Rambla del Raval.

Beach Fireworks and more

This year, the fireworks have been relocated to Barcelonetawhere a colourful pyrotechnic display awaits you! With different shades and hues, laser lights and a firework display, all accompanied by some cool music.

Date and time: Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September from 10 to 10.20pm at Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta.

On Thursday 24th September, many Barcelona museums and cultural attractions open their doors for free as part of the La Mercè celebrations. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover some of the city’s most fascinating cultural spaces including the Picasso Museum, CosmoCaixa Science Museum and Fundació Joan Miró, as well as many other museums across Barcelona. Keep in mind that advance booking may be required for some venues, so be sure to plan ahead!

Shanghai as the guest city

This year, Shanghai is the guest city. More than 100 artists connected with Shanghai and Barcelona’s Chinese community are expected to participate, marking the 25th anniversary of the twinning of Barcelona and Shanghai.

Discover more about Barcelona’s festivals and events on our blog, and check out the full La Mercè programme to start planning your celebrations.