There is a time of year when Barcelona changes its rhythm.
For a few days, the squares fill up, the streets turn into stages, and Catalan traditions come out to meet locals and visitors alike. It’s La Mercè, Barcelona’s main festival.
From September 23 to 27, 2026, the city celebrates five days of culture, music, shows and traditions that are part of its identity.
If you’re in Barcelona during these dates, it’s worth stepping off the usual route and discovering the city from a more local perspective.
La Mercè is Barcelona’s main festival, held every year in honour of the Mare de Déu de la Mercè, one of the city’s patron saints.
Although its origins are linked to religious tradition, today La Mercè is, above all, a great celebration of Barcelona and Catalan culture.
For several days, different spaces around the city host concerts, shows, parades and some of Catalonia’s most recognisable traditions.
Each year it also has an international dimension. In 2026, Shanghai is the guest city, as part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the twinning between Barcelona and Shanghai.
Few images represent Catalonia as much as the castellers.
Members of the different colles build human towers that rise little by little until they reach several metres high. At the very top, a child crowns the castell.
But behind the spectacle there is much more: cooperation, balance, trust and enormous coordination among everyone who forms part of the tower.
During La Mercè you can see castells at different moments of the celebration, especially in iconic spots such as Plaça de Sant Jaume.
It’s one of those traditions that is hard to explain until you see it live.
If there’s one experience that can surprise any visitor, it’s the correfoc.
Dragons, devils, drums, fireworks and sparks run through the streets while the crowd follows the show.
It’s one of the most unique traditions of Catalan popular festivals and one of the most characteristic images of La Mercè.
If you want to get close to the route, remember to wear suitable clothing, preferably cotton, closed shoes, and always follow the organisers’ safety instructions.
During La Mercè you’ll also see the gegants, huge figures representing traditional characters that parade through the streets accompanied by musicians.
Kings, queens and other characters come to life above the heads of those carrying them, to the sound of drums and gralles, traditional Catalan wind instruments.
It’s an especially lovely tradition to enjoy as a family, and one of those scenes that make Barcelona feel different during these days.
La Mercè is also music.
Through BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) and Música Mercè, different spaces around the city host concerts and performances throughout the festival.
From local artists to international acts, the programme turns squares, parks and other urban spaces into open-air stages.
One of the best things about La Mercè is that many of these activities are free.
In 2026, the presence of Shanghai also adds an international dimension to the programme, with artists and cultural proposals linked to the guest city.
STAGES: Plaça de Catalunya, Rambla del Raval, Moll de la Fusta, Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm
La Mercè traditionally ends with one of its most anticipated moments: the Piromusical, a show that combines music, light and fireworks.
And in 2026 there’s an important change.
Due to construction works around Montjuïc and Plaça d’Espanya, this year the show moves to Barcelona’s seafront.
📍 Bogatell and Nova Icària
Sunday, September 27, 10:00 pm
The fireworks will be launched from the Bogatell breakwater, with several viewing points around the area.
If you want to see it, arrive early: it’s one of the moments that draws the biggest crowds of the festival.
Plan ahead. The most popular events can fill up quickly.
Check the official programme. There are simultaneous activities in different parts of the city, and some times or locations may change.
Use public transport. Streets may be closed and there can be large crowds.
September 24 is a public holiday. Some shops and services may have different opening hours.
If you’re going to the correfoc, dress appropriately. Cotton clothing, closed shoes and following the safety recommendations are all good ideas.
And don’t try to see everything. Part of the magic of La Mercè lies in letting the city carry you along a little.
35P.Max
from 2H
20P.Max.
1-3.5H
11 P. Max.
2H
11 P. Max
from 2H.
11 P. Max.
2.5H
35 P. Max
from 2H
Enjoy a fantastic sailing trip
along the coast of Barcelona.
© BarcelonaSail, 2026
