La Mercè Festival 2024 in Barcelona celebrates the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy, from September 20th to 24th. This exciting city-wide event features live music, traditional performances, fireworks, and more. Don’t miss out on these iconic traditions:
Must-See Events:
- Giant’s March (Cavalcada de Gegants)
Date: September 22, 10:00 AM
Location: Plaça de Sant Jaume
Route: Carrer Ferran, La Rambla, Pintor Fortuny, Plaça dels Àngels, Montalegre - Castellers (Human Towers)
Date: September 22, 12:00 PM
Location: Plaça Sant Jaume - Correfoc (Fire Run)
Date: September 20, 7:00 PM
Location: Passeig de Gràcia - Catalan Dancing – Sardanes
Date: September 22, 12:00 PM
Location: Avinguda de la Catedral - Drone Show
Date: September 23, 10:00 PM
Location: Platja de l’Espigó del Gas - Piromusical Fireworks Show
Date: September 24, 10:00 PM
Location: Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina
Top Concert Venues:
- Parc del Fòrum
Hosts major concerts with national and international artists.
Time: Various performances throughout the festival - Avinguda de la Catedral
Intimate performances in the heart of the Gothic Quarter.
Time: Concerts start from 7:00 PM - Plaça dels Àngels
Known for modern and alternative music, located near the MACBA Museum.
Time: Evening concerts starting around 8:00 PM
Interesting Facts About La Mercè:
- Over 600 Free Events: The festival boasts more than 600 cultural activities spread across plazas, streets, museums, and parks, all focusing on Catalan and Mediterranean culture.
- Free Museum Entry: Many museums open their doors for free visits during La Mercè. Don’t miss the chance to explore them!
- Unmissable Free Concerts: The best concerts happen at venues like Antiga Fàbrica d’Estrella Damm, Parc del Fòrum, and Avinguda Reina Cristina. Smaller stages also feature local bands and DJs at spots like Plaza Reial and the Gothic Cathedral.
- Traditional Giants Parade: Witness the iconic “Gegants i Capgrossos” from medieval Barcelona during the opening procession.
- Exciting Fire Parade: Marvel at fire-breathing dragons and beasts parading through the city at Plaça de Sant Jaume, followed by the thrilling Correfoc, where devils light up the streets with fireworks and firecrackers.
- Castellers (Human Towers): Be mesmerized by the famous human castles, featuring towers of 2 to 5 people per floor at Plaça de Sant Jaume. This is one of the festival’s most popular events.
- Spectacular Closing Ceremony: End your La Mercè experience at the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc with a grand display of music and fireworks – a truly unforgettable finale.
You should also see the Castellers display – those famous Human castles! There are plenty styles of towers (with 2, 3 or 5 people on each floor, as a single individual tower, and so on…) that it’s impossible not to get mesmerized! This performance always takes place at Plaça de Sant Jaume and its probably the most popular event of La Mercè.
To finish, you must take part of the closing act at the Magic Fountain of Monjuic, with roaring music, fireworks and thousands of Barcelona lovers! You won’t get a prettiest end to La Mercè!
Besides all this, you will also find other type of events like beach rugby tournamets, contests, book fairs, dance and street art…
You must really see it for yourself 😉