The weather is gorgeous and there is a feeling of festivity in the air. From the 21st to the 24th of September we are celebrating La Mercè 2018, the festival of festivals in Barcelona. It is in honour of one of the patron-saints of the city: our Lady of the Mercy. All of you lucky ones to be here, don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience some of the best Catalan traditions.
Of course, our scheduled Barcelona Free Walking Tours will be running as usual and we will probably stumble across some of the celebrations, which makes it even more special. You can download now the English programme of La Mercè 2018 main activities to give you a taste of what you can do and see. I have also selected the ones that I think you shouldn’t miss. Check them out!
Human towers (“castells”)
Castells is the Catalan word for castles and castellers are the people who form this incredible human towers up to 10 floors high. Like in architecture, there are many styles of towers: with 2, 3, or 5 people on each floor, as a single individual tower… The list goes on. Silently, listen for the music during its construction. Its changing tune gives crucial information to the castellers about what stage it is at. Once the child at the top raises a hand, then you can cheer out loud. The castle has been built! The next part is to deconstruct it floor by floor. Cheer louder!
Guest “castellers” day
Without doubt, the best day to experience human towers in Barcelona. The square will be crowded and hot (bring a sun hat) but the best groups from Catalonia will be performing.
- When: Sunday 23rd (12pm)
- Where: Plaça Sant Jaume
Local “castellers” day
Barcelona, Gràcia, Sagrada Familia, Sants,… Some of the local neighbourhoods have their own group and they will be building their towers this day.
- When: Monday 24th (12.30pm)
- Where: Plaça Sant Jaume
To give you a taste of what you can experience, check out this video of La Mercè Festival where the Terrassa castellers group built (and unbuilt) an amazing 10 storeys high human towers with 3 people on each floor.
Giants, dragons & beasts
Don’t be surprised if you see some dragons and giants on the streets during the festival. This is one of the longest standing traditions of the city. The giants sometimes measure higher than 4 metres, weighting up to 63 kilos. A hot and heavy job for the person carrying it underneath its skirt. You will see kings, queens and biblical figures alongside fishermen, thieves or butchers, all representing their local neighbourhoods. The beasts and dragons are also plentiful and varied and they come alive during the “correfoc” breathing live fire. A spectacle not to be missed.
“Toc d’inici” (start of the festival)
The best way to introduce yourself to the typical dances of the giants and beasts while celebrating the start of La Mercè.
- When: Friday 21st (7.45pm)
- Where: Plaça de Sant Jaume
Xambanga
A totally untraditional parade with fancy dresses for the giants and fun for everyone, including the people who carry the figures.
- When: Sunday 23rd (9pm)
- Where: From Maritime Museum to Plaça Sant Jaume (route: Portal de Santa Madrona, La Rambla, Ferran, Plaça Sant Jaume)
Beasts and dragons parade
To see them breathing fire you have to go to the “correfoc” but, if you prefer a quieter experience, this is the parade for you (no bangers or fire involved).
- When: Friday 21st (10pm)
- Where: To/From Plaça Comercial (route: Plaça Comercial, Comerç, Princesa, Rec, Passeig del Born, Montcada, Sombrerers, Plaça Santa Maria del Mar, Santa Maria, Passeig del Born, Plaça Comercial)
Main giants parade
You just can’t miss the long parade of every single giant of Barcelona dancing down the medieval streets.
- When: Monday 24th (6pm)
- Where: From Carrer Pelai to Plaça Sant Jaume (route: Carrer Pelai, Plaça Catalunya, La Rambla, Carrer Ferran, Plaça Sant Jaume)
In this video you can see the Giants Parade (cavalçata de La Mercé) together with many of the traditional activities at Festes de La Mercè:
Giants, dragons and beasts exhibitions
A wonderful display of the giants and beasts of the different neighbourhoods of the city at 2 different locations.
- When: From September 19th to September 22nd (10am to 8pm)
- Where: Maritime Museum (Giants) and Plaça Comercial (Dragons and Beasts)
Fire run (“correfoc”)
Although quite a modern tradition dating from 1979, this parade has become one of the landmarks of La Mercè 2018. I am sure it would be banned in any other European country but here in Barcelona we just love the fire. The spectacle of hundreds of people dressed as devils and pushing the beasts of the city down the street is something difficult to forget. Not for the faint-hearted but definitely for the adventurous. If you want to be in the front rows, remember to wear a cotton cap and long cotton sleeves as the devils will chase you with their giant whirling sparklers. It is all part of the fun.
Adult’s “correfoc”
The main one. Full on fire, bangers, devils, dragons and beasts. Don’t miss it!
- When: Saturday 22nd (8.30pm)
- Where: Via Laietana (route: Plaça Antoni Maura – Via Laietana – Plaça Antonio López)
Children’s “correfoc”
A little tamer than the adult one and just because children want to have fun too.
- When: Saturday 22nd (6.30pm)
- Where: Via Laietana (route: Plaça Antonio López – Via Laietana – Plaça Antoni Maura)
Light shows & fireworks
Forget the cinema in La Mercè 2018. Head towards Plaça de Sant Jaume every night and see how the façade of our city hall transforms itself into a giant screen. A quirky light projection show will delight young and old. After that, gaze to the heavens to catch some pretty spectacular fireworks down at the Barceloneta beach while enjoying a candy floss from the fair stands. The closing act of the festival also includes the Magic Fountain of Montjüic with roaring music, competing against the sound of fireworks exploding in the air. You just can not get a more dramatic end to La Mercè 2018!
Piromusical (closing act)
You can come early to get a place in front of the fountain although there is plenty of space to accommodate everyone.
- When: Monday 24th (10pm)
- Where: Av. Reina Maria Cristina
Fireworks at the beach
You will see them from everywhere at the beach. Sit on the sand and soak it all in.
- When: Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd (10pm)
- Where: Barceloneta beach
Light projection show
- When (show every 15 minutes):
- Friday 21st (from 9.15pm to 11.45pm)
- Saturday 22nd (from 8.30pm to 11.45pm)
- Sunday 23rd (from 10.30pm to 11.45pm)
- Monday 24th (from 8.45pm to 10pm)
- Where: Façade of Barcelona’s Town Hall (Plaça Sant Jaume)
There are many other activities you can participate in. Concerts, theatre, circus,… They all have a slot during La Mercè 2018 and the best part of it is that all of it is for free. To see a list of everything that is on offer you can visit the official website of La Mercè 2018. Go on, have the time of your life!
Main photograph by PhotographYeah!
- FEATURED REVIEW
A GREAT START OF OUR TRIP
We had the Old City Tour in our first day in Barcelona - it was very interesting, informative, funny and a really great way to start our visit. Eric was a great guide, full of amazing stories and lots of knowledge. He also gave us few recommendations for restaurants, good places to visit, and information about “La Merce” festival and explained about few of the catalan traditions (TripAdvisor 2018)
Thanks for easily summarizing everything for us!
No problem Dan. I hope you will enjoy the festival.
I’m confused about dates for Le Merce 2014. One website says the dates are unknown another says 20/9/14-24/9/14. I understand individual events will not be scheduled until 2 weeks before the date. We would like to book our accommodations soon. We plan to be in the BCN for Le Merce and travel to Costa Brava before or after the festival. I would appreciate your guidance!
Hi Chuck,
This year La Mercè Day (24th of September) falls on a Wednesday so the confirmed dates for 2014 are Friday 19th to Wednesday 24th. The programme is never available until a few days before the festival though.
I hope this helps 🙂
Thank you for your quick reply! We are so excited. I stumbled upon La Merce about 1998. We happened to be visiting BCN and found ourselves right in the middle of all the festivities. Im looking forward to returning!
I hope you will enjoy it as much this year Chuck. Keep posted for the activities when the City Council announces the programme (usually a few days before the date).
I am wondering where the La Merce festival takes place? I am trying to book accommodations to be near the festival. Any info would be very helpful. 🙂
Hi Juliet,
La Mercè is the main festival of Barcelona city so it happens everywhere, really. Probably there are more concentration of old traditions in the old town (Ciutat Vella) but the festival extends to very different locations.
You will have a great time 🙂
Здравствуйте)
Подскажите, пожалуйста какие музеи будут бесплатные?
¿Como museos gratuito?
¡Gracias!
Hi Liliya,
It all depends on the day. Best thing to do is check the whole programme of activities on this link: La Mercè 2014 programme. You can choose to see the activities by place, day or subject. Also, don’t forget that most public museums have a free entrance every Sunday after 3pm.
Dear Runner Beans – we arrive in Barcelona on Friday 19 September in the evening. I would love to do a walk with you but need some advice please. Sadly we are only there Saturday and Sunday. I would like to do the Gaudi walking tour but see that all the tickets for the afternoon entry to La Sagrada Familia on Saturday AND Sunday are sold out.
Should we do a tour with you Saturday and then try to visit La Sagrada Sunday? Is it worth it to see inside the building when there are so many other things to see – especially as La Merce is happening.
Thanks. I look forward to your reply.
Hi Dare,
I think that a visit to the interior of Sagrada Familia is one the highlights of Barcelona. If you don’t want to be waiting in the long lines my advice is to book the tickets directly through their website here: Sagrada Familia tickets online. La Mercè Festival is wonderful and you will have plenty of time to enjoy some of the activities as well as a visit to the church and our tour, of course. Maybe, as you suggest, do the tour on Saturday as a nice introduction to Gaudí and visit Sagrada Familia on Sunday. Most of the festival activities are in the afternoon or at night so that will fit with your schedule.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Ann Marie. Much appreciated!
Dare
Gracias, Ann Marie))
Are there any dates for La Mercè for 2015 or any kind of approximate dates so I can look at flights and accommodation?
The post is completely updated for 2015 and all the activities, dates and times are for this year’s festival. The dates are from the 19th to the 24th of September. You will have a great time :-).
Hi there.
Is the neighbourhood festival in Barcenoleta this year? It used to follow la merce, but that weekend is the Catalan Independence referendum, so it might be nixed. I found a website about it a few months ago, but can’t find it now. Were arriving late to Barcelona (22/09), and are going to miss the carrefoc. I’ve seen it before, but my girlfriend never has. I know the barceloneta event had one too, as well as some traditional activities.
Hi Pete,
The Barceloneta festival this year is from the September 25th to October 4th. The elections to the Catalan Parliament are on September 27th but the festival activities won’t be affected. Of course, you will find be all the traditional correfocs, castells, etc. The programme hasn’t been announced yet but you can search “Festa major de la Barceloneta” online nearer the time.
Hope it helps.
Thanks for the super fast reply, and on a Sunday too! After writing I did eventually find some references after changing my search terms. It seems that the Barcenoleta carrefoc will occur on the Saturday, so it will give us some time to relax after all the madness on 23rd and 24th. Its been a good few years since my last visit, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the city has changed.
No problem Pete. I hope you’ll enjoy Barcelona once again.
Hi Ann Marie, we’re travelling over to Barcelona ( again, love the place ) from the home turf on 7th Sept. & would like to know if there are any festivals asking place in the following 8 days,
Thanks in advance,
Paul
Hi Paul. From the 10th to the 20th of September you have the main festival of my neighbourhood: Poble Nou. It is only a 10 minute metro ride from the city centre and you will have the usual display of Catalan traditions as well as a lovely atmosphere, day and night :-). Here is the official website including the programme (in Catalan only): festamajorpoblenou.org. Hope it helps.
Hi Ann
thanks for ur information. I am very interested to go to the fire run (correfoc), but what would you suggest me to dress especially for that day for safety? how will the locals dress normally (of coz i dun wanna get burnt 😉 )
thanks
Riki
It all depends on how much you want to get into the action. You can see the “correfoc” from a distance. In this case, I would recommend staying at Plaça de la Cathedral or Plaça de l’Angel, 2 or 3 rows behind so you have space to walk back when the devils chase the viewers. If you want to be in the front rows, wear long cotton sleeves and a cap. Of course, you can always run with them. If you go for this, wear jeans, strong jacket and shoes, a hood and scarf for wrapping around your face and fire goggles are not a bad idea for eye protection. Don’t be too attached to these clothes either, just in case 😉
We have booked onto the gothic quarter tour on the 24th. Cant wait! Will we see any festival events along the way I wonder…..
Looking forward to it!
Hi Caroline,
It is not uncommon that we see some of the traditional activities during the tour but you can also wander around after the tour is finished. Ask your guide for help on what to see and do.
Is there somewhere we can find the 2017 schedule yet?
Hi Kelly. We updated the post yesterday straight after the programme was released. Hope it helps 🙂
Thank you, this was very informative. Will use this guide when I will be traveling to Barcelona from 22 – 25 September 🙂
Tj
India
Glad it was helpful. Have a fantastic time during La Mercè!