La Mercè Festival
As you already know, I’m generally against labeling places as “must-sees.”
But when something truly deserves it, I call it a hot recommendation — and the Festival is definitely one of those.
It’s worth planning a trip to just for this festival — not only because the weather at this time of year is wonderful, but also because you can combine it with plenty of other trips. Most of all, this festival is one big, joyful celebration of culture, art, folklore, music, and food.
It’s actually the biggest celebration in Barcelona (each neighborhood has its own local celebration, called Festa Major in Catalan; this is the celebration of the entire city) and a rare chance to watch and take part in a variety of fascinating traditional events.
Table of Contents
When does this happen?
Every year, around September 24th, which is a local holiday.
The festival itself will take place this year from September 23 to 28, 2025.
Where is this happening?
In Barcelona, in many different locations in the city – see below.
How much does it cost?
Zero. The entire festival is free.
How to get around?
Since the festival is free, popular, and attracts about two million people (!) in total, it is highly recommended to use the city’s excellent public transportation – metro, buses, and trams.
Who is Merce?
Merce is the patron saint of Barcelona, aka The Virgin of Mercy or Our Lady of Mercy.
In other words, this is a sacred figure who is known to protect the city’s residents and do them favors.
You can see her in the basilica that bears her name, which is surprisingly located at Carrer de la Mercè, 1, 08002 Barcelona, near La Mercè Square, not far from the Ramblas and the sea, in the Gothic Quarter.
What will happen at the festival?
Cultural events
The festival is a great opportunity to capture all the local cultural customs together.
The main event –
pl. Sant Jaume and Passeig de Gràcia.
What will be there?
Illustrative video from previous festivals (if you don’t want spoilers, don’t click :)
Correfoc
It’s not every day you find yourself standing in the middle of a burning street, with horned demons shooting sparks above your head — and instead of running, you’re laughing, dancing, and feeling more alive than ever. That’s Correfoc, the “fire run,” one of the wild highlights of Barcelona’s La Mercè festival — a parade of mythical demons, explosive fireworks, and drums that shake your soul. The entire street comes alive — not just to watch, but to join in. The adrenaline? Sky-high. The smoke? Everywhere. And this isn’t just a show — it’s an all-in experience that blends folklore with pure ecstasy.
But beyond the wow effect, there’s something deeper here: a fighting spirit, a fierce sense of community, and the courage to light fire — literally and metaphorically. Catalans don’t fear the noise — they create it. Correfoc isn’t just a celebration — it’s a statement. And if you find yourself in Barcelona in September, come dressed in long sleeves, with open curiosity and a hunger to feel what it truly means to burn — from the inside out.
Castells – human towers
One of the most fascinating and emotional traditions of La Mercè is the Castells – human towers. Teams of participants, known as colles, build towers that can reach up to nine or even ten levels high — using people instead of bricks. The structure begins with a wide, solid base made up of hundreds of individuals, and ends with a small child climbing to the very top, raising a hand to the crowd. This is an ancient Catalan tradition, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, and it’s built on three powerful principles: strength, balance, and solidarity.
Castells – human towers
You can’t talk about La Mercè without mentioning the Gigantes – the giants. These towering wooden figures, standing 3 to 4 meters tall, are dressed in traditional costumes and represent characters from Catalan folklore: kings, queens, warriors, farmers, and mythical beings. Carried from within by hidden dancers, they march, twirl, and sway to the rhythm of the drums. It feels like something out of a fairytale — but for the Catalans, this is a living tradition that connects generations, brings the past into the present, and turns the street into a stage. Every year, when the giants walk through Barcelona, they don’t just impress — they tell a story.
Mercè Street Arts - MAC
The MAC Street Arts Festival offers over 300 performances this year, including circus, urban dance, comedy theatre and more. The focus of this year’s MAC will be Park la Estació del Nord. Another new venue is Oasi MAC, located in the pedestrian zone of Consell de Cent.
Guest City — Manchester
השנה, העיר אורחת היא מנצ’סטר, וסמל הדבורים שלה יוצא לחגוג בברצלונה. במיוחד עבור הפסטיבל נבנו שתי דמויות חדשות – דבורה ענקית ודבורה־חיה – שנוצרו בשיתוף אמנים מקומיים וקבוצת Global Grooves כדי לחבר בין הדמיון החגיגי של מנצ’סטר לברצלונה.
The connection between the two cities is not only industrial from the past but also cultural in the present: is bringing artists from its vibrant music scene to perform at and , featuring names like & , , , , , and .
Artists from will also take to the streets and open-air stages — including dance performances by , , , and ; sound and fire installations by and ; as well as circus shows and art interventions by with Bees! The Colony, with Catwalk Extravaganza, , and more.
In short, is bringing to the Festival a vibrant mix of music, dance, street art, and community theatre — a colorful celebration buzzing with bees.
Music
Celebrating its 31st anniversary with a diverse lineup of exceptional artists, the BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) festival is an integral part of the La Mercè celebration and offers an eclectic and vibrant music experience.
The festival is a showcase for Catalan, Spanish and international music with performances in four different venues in Barcelona: Mall de la Poste, Rambla del Raval, Plaza Real and the old Estrella Damm factory.
The Terra i Gust fair
If all this programming has made you hungry, I totally get it — after all, what’s a festival without food? And if that food can be sustainable too, even better! 🌱
At , a sustainable food festival will take place, featuring tastings, cooking shows, workshops, prizes, and concerts. This is the fourth edition of the , inviting you to enjoy music, food, and drinks in a more mindful way.
As always, my very, very warm recommendation: come early!
Especially if you’re with kids (or teenagers, heaven help us).
Is there a website? An app?
What's the story behind the poster?
Every year the municipality chooses a different artist to design the festival poster.
Posters from previous years can be found here .
Watch the attached video —
Instead of a two-dimensional poster, this year a living poster was created — a real wooden-and-metal cart, a physical artwork that roams the city and brings the celebration to the people. It wasn’t made as a solo piece, but as a collaborative project by dozens of professionals: artists, musicians, dancers, technicians, designers, and stage and craft wizards.
The core message: the poster is a story and an emotion — a tangible experience that invites the public to participate, feel, and celebrate. It’s a fusion of Barcelona’s roaming circus and theatrical traditions of the past with its bold, diverse contemporary culture.
Beyond its aesthetics, it makes a statement about returning to the tangible in an increasingly digital world — to an object you can touch, build together, and celebrate as part of a vibrant, living community.
In the end, he thanks all the collaborators and dedicates the creation to the city’s residents: the poster-cart is an invitation to live, feel, and sing La Mercè together.



