The La Mercè festival is approaching, and Barcelona is already preparing to transform its streets into vibrant cultural spaces. The city's biggest celebration will return this year with its distinctive mix of traditional festivities, street performances, family activities, cultural events and live music. Here's everything you need to know about La Mercè 2026.
History and origins of La Mercè
La Mercè is Barcelona's principal festival, celebrated in honour of Our Lady of Mercy, the city's patron saint. The festivities combine strong religious, cultural and civic traditions.
According to local tradition, the patron saint protected Barcelona from a devastating locust plague in 1687. Following the end of the outbreak, residents attributed their relief to the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy. She was officially recognised as the city's patron saint in 1868 during the pontificate of Pius IX.
The festival began to take a form similar to today's celebrations at the start of the 20th century. In 1902, Barcelona City Council introduced a special programme featuring parades, giants, human towers, sardana dancing and other expressions of Catalan popular culture. Since the return of democracy, it has evolved into a free and open celebration for all.
When is La Mercè in 2026?
La Mercè 2026 will take place in Barcelona from Wednesday 23 September to Sunday 27 September. The main festival day will be Thursday 24 September, the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. Shanghai will be the guest city for this year's celebrations.
Public holidays during La Mercè
Thursday 24 September will be a local public holiday in Barcelona in honour of La Mercè.
The holiday allows many residents to attend the festival's main events, including the human towers, parades and numerous free activities. As a local holiday, it applies only within Barcelona and not in other towns or cities.
La Mercè 2026 poster
The official poster for La Mercè 2026 was created by visual artist and muralist Cinta Vidal. The artwork presents a Barcelona shaped by multiple perspectives, pathways and connections between some of the city's most recognisable landmarks, including the cathedral, Plaça del Rei, the Basilica of La Mercè, the seafront, Ciutadella Park and the Laberint d'Horta.
The image also incorporates references to the city's ten districts and various festival venues. Hidden throughout the composition are oversized objects associated with local culture and celebration, including espadrilles, an oil cruet and a baritone horn.
When is the La Mercè Pyromusical? New location
The pyromusical is one of La Mercè's most popular closing events. This spectacular fireworks display is synchronised with music and traditionally attracts thousands of spectators. This year, it has moved location due to construction works at the Fira de Montjuïc site.
The La Mercè 2026 pyromusical will take place on Sunday 27 September at 10 pm on Bogatell Beach. Josep Montero, lead singer of Oques Grasses, curated the musical programme.
La Mercè 2026 programme
La Mercè 2026 will feature activities across all 10 districts of Barcelona. New additions include Plaça de les Glòries as an official festival venue, family-focused programming at Port Olímpic and a range of events linked to this year's guest city, Shanghai.
- Wednesday 23 September
- La Mercè opening speech: Toni and Meritxell Falgueras, owners of the historic Celler Gelida in Sants, will be in charge of opening the festivities from the Saló de Cent of Barcelona City Hall.
- Toc d'Inici: Popular culture takes over the city centre with one of the inaugural rituals of the main festival.
- Mercè Arts de Carrer kicks off: The MAC launches its first proposals for performing arts and street performances.
- Thursday 24 September
- Human towers in Plaça de Sant Jaume: The human tower groups star in one of the most followed traditional events in La Mercè.
- Cavalcada de La Mercè: The parade will go through the centre with giants, beasts, music and troupes.
- Premiere of the MAC in Glòries: The Plaza de les Glòries Catalanes is included for the first time in the festival's programming.
- Shows at Parc de l'Estació del Nord: The Fort Pinenc space will host hybrid proposals from young creators.
- Open doors: Museums and cultural venues in Barcelona will offer free admission or special programming:
- CCCB
- Museu Tàpies
- Olympic Museum
- Pedralbes Monastery
- CosmoCaixa
- Montjuïc Castle
- MUHBA
- Friday 25 September
- Mercè Street Arts in the neighbourhoods: Circus, theatre, dance, comedy and acrobatics events continue.
- Shanghai Shows: The guest city will bring the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe to Parc del Fòrum, performing acrobatics, drumming, hooping, diabolo and Russian bar routines. The Shanghai Dance School will also perform at Parc de l'Estació del Nord.
- Terra i Gust in Ciutadella Park: The foodie market returns with producers and sustainable food options.
- Catalan Book Week: The Lluís Companys promenade hosts the literary fair, which coincides with the festivities until 27 September.
- Saturday 26 September
- Children's fire run: The youngest children can participate in an adapted version of the traditional fire run.
- Correfoc de La Mercè: Devils, dragons, "fire beasts" and fireworks will roam the streets of the centre.
- International circus at Parc del Fòrum: The venue hosts part of the circus programme, including the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
- 50 years of contemporary Catalan circus: The Fòrum will host a special stage performance to commemorate this anniversary.
- Marea de les Arts at Port Olímpic: The new family space will feature shows for all audiences.
- Sunday 27 September
- Pyromusical on Bogatell beach: The fireworks and music show will close La Mercè 2026 at 10:00 p.m.
- Final performances of the MAC: Parks and urban spaces will close the Mercè Arts de Carrer programme.
- Last day of Terra i Gust: The Ciutadella park will host the closing of the food market.
- End of the Book Week in Català: The literary event will conclude on the Lluís Companys promenade after 10 days.
La Mercè 2026 concerts
The La Mercè 2026 music programme features 109 free concerts across 16 stages in Barcelona. Música Mercè and BAM have put together a diverse lineup that includes artists such as La Pegatina, Els Catarres, Love of Lesbian, Svetlana, Sandra Monfort, Els Amics de les Arts, Maria Jaume, Buhos, Nacho Vegas, María Terremoto, Aterciopelados, Miki Núñez and Leire Martínez.
- Wednesday 23 September
- Teatre Grec: 9:30 p.m., Pol Batlle; 11:30 p.m., Luisa Sobral.
- Cathedral Avenue: 10:00 p.m., Sabor de Gràcia; 00:00 h, Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers.
- Doctor Pla i Armengol Gardens: 9:00 p.m., Shanghai Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble; 11:00 p.m., Shanghai Restoration Project.
- Plaza Catalunya (BAM): 7:00 p.m., Concurs Sona9; 10:30 p.m., Bia Ferreira; 00:00, Brama; 1:30 a.m., Imarhan.
- Rambla del Raval (BAM - Portugal Alive): 9:30 p.m., Humana Taranja; 11:00 p.m., Sunflowers; 00:30 a.m., Maria Reis.
- Moll de la Fusta (BAM): 10:30 p.m., KIW & Mourad Belouadi; 00:00 h, La 126; 01:30 a.m., Juventude.
- Thursday 24 September
- Cathedral Avenue: 9:00 p.m., María Terremoto; 10:15 p.m., La Barcelona Flamenca.
- Gardens of Doctor Pla i Armengol: 12:00 p.m., ESMUC; 7:00 p.m., Xamfrà.
- Nou Barris District Headquarters: 8:45 p.m., Orchestra and Cor del Gran Teatre del Liceu.
- Friday 25 September
- Teatre Grec: 9:30 p.m., Nacho Vegas; 11:30 p.m., La Paloma.
- Cathedral Avenue: 11:00 p.m., Shanghai Chinese Orchestra.
- Doctor Pla i Armengol Gardens: 9:00 p.m., Fuensanta; 11:00 p.m., Marina and her Melao.
- Nou Barris District Headquarters: 8:45 p.m., Barcelona and the National Symphony Orchestra of Catalonia.
- Passeig dels Tillers: 10:30 p.m., Azucarillo Kings.
- Avenida de Maria Cristina (RAC105): 8:30 p.m., Maria Jaume; 9:30 p.m., Markos; 10:00 p.m., Els Amics de les Arts; 11:45 p.m., Els Catarres; 1:30 a.m., Teràpia de Shock.
- Bogatell Beach (ELS40): 7:30 p.m., Aina Machuca; 7:55 p.m., Enol; 8:30 p.m., Sexenni; 10:00 p.m., Miki Núñez; 1:15 a.m., Buhos.
- Plaza Catalunya (BAM): 10:30 p.m., Daoud; 12:00 a.m., The Slates; 01:30 a.m., Sandré.
- Rambla del Raval (BAM): 9:30 p.m., Restinga; 11:00 p.m., Uzi Freyja; 12:30 a.m., Queer Falafel x Mad Monkey.
- Moll de la Fusta (BAM): 10:30 p.m., Les Testarudes; 00:00, Kume Island; 1:30 a.m., Islandman.
- Saturday 26 September
- Teatre Grec: 9:30 p.m., Ana Rossi + Joana Queiroz; 11:30 p.m., Def Mama Def.
- Cathedral Avenue: 10:00 PM, Aterciopelados; 12:00 AM, Maika Makovski.
- Gardens of Doctor Pla i Armengol: 12:00 p.m., Jam Nation; 9:30 p.m., Marc Vilajuana; 11:00 p.m., El Extintor + LaTorre (Desacoples).
- Nou Barris District Headquarters: 12:00 p.m., Roquetes de Nou Barris Symphonic Band; 8:45 p.m., Barcelona Municipal Band.
- Passeig dels Tillers: 12:30 p.m., Marco de Ana; 10:30 p.m., Sorvina.
- Maria Cristina Avenue (Europa FM): 9:00 p.m., Ivan Herzog; 9:45 p.m., Neon Band; 11:00 p.m., Paula Koops; 12:15 a.m., surprise artist; 1:15 a.m., Leire Martinez.
- Bogatell Beach (Estrella Damm): 8:00 p.m., Al·lèrgiques al Pol·len; 9:30 p.m., La Pegatina; 11:00 p.m., Love of Lesbian; 1:30 a.m., Svetlana.
- Plaza Catalunya (BAM): 10:30 p.m., Intergalàctic Minibus; 12:00 a.m., Ypnosi; 1:30 a.m., Sandra Monfort.
- Rambla del Raval (BAM): 9:30 p.m., I AM ROZE; 11:00 p.m., TĀRA; 12:30 a.m., TootArd.
- Moll de la Fusta (BAM): 10:30 p.m., Gala i Ovidio; 00:00 h, Poncelam; 01:30 a.m., La Valentina.
- Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm (BAM): 1:15 p.m., Carmen Aciar; 2:15 p.m., Angela Blackburn; 4:30 p.m., Jovedry; 5:40 p.m., Admire; 6:50 p.m., Cristina Len; 8:15 p.m., Bophyrax.
- Sunday 27 September
- Doctor Pla i Armengol Gardens: 12:00 p.m., Liceu Blam Collective (Conservatori del Liceu).
- Nou Barris District Headquarters: 7:00 p.m., Marco Mezquida + Vozes.
- Passeig dels Til·lers: 1:00 p.m., Tumbakin; 7:30 p.m., Giulia Valle.
- Plaza de Sant Jaume: 7:00 p.m., Carola Ortiz, Havaneres i sons de mar .
- Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm (BAM): 1:15 p.m., Arar; 2:15 p.m., Mala Freixura; 4:30 p.m., AL-F; 5:40 p.m., Asra3; 6:50 p.m., MERCÈ; 8:15 p.m., Maig.
Living in Barcelona
Living in Barcelona means choosing between neighbourhoods with distinct identities, lifestyles and rhythms.
The city benefits from an extensive public transport network, as well as a wide range of educational, healthcare and sporting facilities.
Barcelona also stands out for its access to the sea and its extensive network of green spaces. Its urban beaches, together with Ciutadella Park, Montjuïc, Collserola and the waterfront, mean that residents can combine the energy of a major city with plenty of outdoor leisure options.
