The Correfoc (“fire run” in Catalan) is one of the most iconic and symbolic events of La Mercè in Barcelona. The procession features dozens of “devils” and mythological creatures, dressed in traditional costumes and armed with handheld fireworks, which they ignite as they dash through the crowd.
The streets are deliberately darkened for the event, and slip into something almost surreal – a charged mix of thunderous drumming, exploding sparks, and firelit silhouettes dancing through the night.
The Correfoc is rooted in a medieval tradition and represents the age-old battle between good and evil, reimagined in a modern, adrenaline-charged form. It’s recommended to wear long clothing and head protection, as the crowd is integral to the experience.
La Mercè Barcelona 2025 – Complete Festival Guide
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Written by
Inbal Cabiri
- Last updated date - June 3, 2026
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La Mercè Festival in Barcelona – What to Expect
I’m generally skeptical of must-see lists. But La Mercè is one of the few things in Barcelona I’d tell someone to plan a trip around. The weather at this time of year is wonderful; it pairs easily with other trips in the region, and above all, the festival itself is a joyful, citywide celebration of culture, art, folklore, music, and food. In fact, it’s Barcelona’s biggest celebration. While each neighborhood has its own local Festa Major, this is the festival of the entire city – and a rare opportunity to witness and take part in a wide range of fascinating traditional events.
Table of Contents
Where is this happening?
In Barcelona, in many different locations in the city – see below.
How much does it cost?
Completely free. No tickets, no entry fees – just show up.
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?
What will happen at the festival?
Cultural events
The festival brings together many of Catalonia’s most important traditions in one place.
The main locations are:
Plaça de 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
Castells
The castells are striking human towers, built by local groups known as colles, and stand as a central, uniquely Catalan tradition.
During La Mercè, multiple groups of castellers gather in Plaça de Sant Jaume to build towers that can rise to ten stories high. Each “level” is formed by people standing on one another’s shoulders. The broad base, known as the pinya, provides stability and support, while very young children climb to the top, balancing the structure and raising a hand in a triumphant gesture.
Beyond the physical feat, this is a powerful expression of shared values – teamwork, precision, responsibility, and deep mutual trust.
In 2010, the Castells were recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
La Mercè is an excellent opportunity to experience this remarkable tradition firsthand.
Gigantes
The Gigantes (“giants”) are towering figures made of wood, papier-mâché, and fabric, typically standing between 3 and 4.5 meters tall. They are an integral part of the traditional celebrations of La Mercè in Barcelona.
Each figure represents a character drawn from Catalan history or folklore – kings, queens, warriors, peasants, or mythological beings – and is operated from within by a person who carries it and parades through the streets.
During the parade, the giants dance to the rhythms of street bands, spinning, bowing to the crowd, and at times even interacting – especially children.
This is an ancient tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, designed to tell local stories, celebrate Catalan identity, and connect generations playfully and engagingly.
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
This year, the guest city is Manchester, and its iconic bee symbol joins the celebrations in Barcelona. Specially for the festival, two new figures were created – a giant bee and a creature-like hybrid bee – developed in collaboration with local artists and the Global Grooves collective, bringing together the festive imagination of Manchester and Barcelona.
The connection between the two cities goes beyond their shared industrial past and extends into a vibrant cultural present. Manchester brings artists from its music scene to perform at Música Mercè and BAM, with names such as Queralt Lahoz & Werkha, Honeyfeet, Porij, Chloe Slater, Children of Zeus, and Space Afrika.
Manchester artists will also take over the streets and open-air stages – from dance (Stopgap Dance Company, Company Chameleon, Damae Dance, Motionhouse) to sound and fire installations (Oxford Contemporary Music, Walk the Plank), as well as circus performances and visual shows (Artizani with Bees! The Colony, Ghetto Fabulous with Catwalk Extravaganza, Mr. Wilson’s Second Liners, and more).
In short, Manchester brings to La Mercè a rich mix of music, dance, street art, and community theater – a vibrant, bee-filled celebration.
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.
Is there a website? Software? 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 traditional two-dimensional poster, this year’s edition features a living one – a real, mobile structure made of wood and metal, a physical creation that moves through the city and brings the festival to the people. It wasn’t conceived as a solo work, but as a collective project involving dozens of professionals: artists, musicians, dancers, technicians, designers, and stagecraft artisans.
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 visual appeal, it signals a return to the tangible in an increasingly digital world – to something that can be touched, built together, and celebrated as part of a living, breathing 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 together.
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