La Mercè 2026 will take place in Barcelona from 23 to 27 September, with Thursday 24 September as the main day and a local public holiday. The La Mercè festivities will feature nearly 500 activities, human towers, giants and big-headed figures, free concerts, a correfoc fire run and a Piromusical display that will move from Montjuïc to Barcelona’s seafront this year.
When will La Mercè 2026 take place?
Barcelona’s main festival will begin on Wednesday 23 September and end on Sunday 27 September. 24 September, the feast day of or la Mercè (Mare de Déu de la Mercè), will be the main day of the celebrations.
| Date | Unmissable events |
|---|---|
| 23 September | Opening speech, Xambanga giants’ parade and first concerts |
| 24 September | Giants, big-headed figures, human towers and traditional culture |
| 25 September | Major La Mercè concerts |
| 26 September | Correfoc, concerts and Gaudí Year activities |
| 27 September | Human tower display featuring guest groups and the Piromusical |
This year, the La Mercè programme will take place across Barcelona, so it is worth planning each day by area and choosing two or three main activities.
Is there a long weekend for La Mercè in 2026? Thursday 24 September is a local public holiday in Barcelona, but Friday 25 September is not an official holiday. Therefore, there will not technically be a four-day La Mercè weekend.
Why is La Mercè the patron saint of Barcelona?
La Mercè is the patron saint of Barcelona and the religious figure associated with the city’s main festival. According to tradition, in 1218 she called for the foundation of a religious order dedicated to freeing imprisoned Christians. Centuries later, during the locust plague of 1687, Barcelona placed itself under her protection. After the plague ended, she was proclaimed patron saint of the city, although the Pope did not officially ratify the appointment until 1868.
The statue of La Mercè can be found in the Basilica of La Mercè, located in Plaça de la Mercè, in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, close to Passeig de Colom.
The statue is kept on the church’s main altar. A large bronze sculpture of the Virgin also stands at the top of the basilica’s dome and can be seen from different parts of the city.
Over time, the religious celebration also evolved into a major civic festival in which Catalan popular culture plays a leading role.
What should you not miss during the La Mercè festivities?
Human towers in Plaça Sant Jaume: an essential experience
If this is your first La Mercè, the human tower display in Plaça Sant Jaume is one of the events you should prioritise.
On 24 September at around 1:00 pm, Barcelona’s eight human tower groups will perform: Castellers de Barcelona, Castellers de Sants, Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia, Castellers del Poble-sec, Castellers de la Sagrada Família, Castellers de Sarrià, Esquerdats de l’Eixample and Colla Castellera Jove de Barcelona.
Each group attempts to build its best human towers through a combination of strength, balance and coordination. The base, known as the pinya, supports the tower, while the enxaneta climbs to the top of the structure. For visitors, Plaça Sant Jaume also provides a particularly symbolic setting, between Barcelona City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat.
This will not be the only human tower event. On Sunday 27 September at 12:00 noon, another display is scheduled to take place featuring guest groups. Castellers de Barcelona will host Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls and Minyons de Terrassa.
If you would like a good view, arrive early: Plaça Sant Jaume attracts large crowds during traditional events.
Giants and big-headed figures
The **giants and big-headed figures—known as gegants, nans or capgrossos in Catalan—**are another of the most characteristic sights of the La Mercè festivities. They represent historical, popular or symbolic characters and parade through the streets accompanied by musicians and different groups of giant carriers.
On 24 September, Plaça Sant Jaume will once again be the main focal point. At 10:45 am, giants from different Barcelona neighbourhoods will perform ceremonial dances, led by the city’s official giants, the Gegants de la Ciutat. At 11:30 am, the street parade will begin through the city centre.
In the afternoon, the La Mercè Cavalcade will begin at 5:30 pm and finish in Plaça Sant Jaume at around 8:00 pm, followed by the traditional dances of the Àliga and the Gegants de la Ciutat.
The giants’ celebrations begin even earlier. On the evening of 23 September, the Xambanga, a more informal and playful parade, will take place. The Giants Exhibition can also be visited at Barcelona City Hall from 13 to 22 September.
For families with children, the giants and big-headed figures are a particularly good alternative to more intense events such as the correfoc.
The main concerts
Music will be one of the highlights of La Mercè 2026, with 109 concerts on 16 stages across 14 venues and performers from around thirty countries.
The programme combines BAM, Música Mercè, large concert stages and performances by emerging artists. Friday 25 September will be one of the biggest nights. At Bogatell, Sexenni will perform at 8:30 pm, followed by Miki Núñez at 10:00 pm and Buhos in the early hours of the morning. Maria Jaume, Els Amics de les Arts, Els Catarres and Teràpia de Shock will perform on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina. Nacho Vegas will take to the stage at the Teatre Grec at 9:30 pm, with limited capacity.
On Saturday 26 September, Bogatell will host another major line-up: Al·lèrgiques al Pol·len at 8:00 pm, La Pegatina at 9:30 pm, Love of Lesbian at 11:30 pm and Svetlana at 1:30 am. Other venues will feature performances by Aterciopelados, Maika Makovski and Leire Martínez.
The programme will also include musical styles beyond pop and rock, including flamenco, Catalan rumba, electronic music, jazz and international projects. On 23 September, for example, Pol Batlle, Luísa Sobral and Sabor de Gràcia will perform. On 24 September, Avinguda de la Catedral will welcome María Terremoto and the La Barcelona Flamenca project.
Most concerts are free, but it is advisable to arrive early at venues with limited capacity.
The correfoc and the Piromusical
Saturday 26 September will be the main day of the correfoc, one of La Mercè’s most intense and spectacular events. Devils, dragons and other figures from Barcelona’s festive bestiary will parade through the streets amid drums, fire and showers of sparks. As a new feature, this year’s festival will unveil a new Porta de l’Infern, or Gate of Hell, marking the entrance of the fire creatures. If you would like to get close to the route, wear cotton clothing that covers your skin, closed footwear and protection for your head and eyes.
The Piromusical will bring the festivities to a close on Sunday 27 September at 10:00 pm. Due to construction work at the Fira de Barcelona exhibition site, it will temporarily leave Montjuïc and move to the Barcelona seafront. The show can be watched from Nova Icària Beach, while the fireworks will be launched from the Bogatell breakwater.
The soundtrack will be selected by Josep Montero, singer and creative driving force behind Oques Grasses. It will combine different musical styles, with a strong presence of Catalan-language music. The fireworks will be synchronised with the music to provide the grand finale to La Mercè 2026.
What is new in the La Mercè 2026 programme?
Shanghai is the guest city for 2026, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of its twinning agreement with Barcelona. More than one hundred artists will participate in music, street arts and Chinese cultural events.
Glòries will also gain prominence as a street arts venue, while the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death will be commemorated through special activities associated with Park Güell.
Josep Montero, singer and creative force behind Oques Grasses, will select the soundtrack for the La Mercè 2026 Piromusical. The show will take place on 27 September. In addition, this year the Piromusical is moving to a new location: it will no longer be held at Plaça d’Espanya, but at Nova Icària Beach, the new venue for one of Barcelona’s most eagerly awaited festival events.
How can you include La Mercè in your Barcelona City Tour itinerary? 🚌
A good strategy is to spend the morning sightseeing and leave the afternoon and evening free for the La Mercè programme.
The Barcelona City Tour Green Route connects areas such as Park Güell, Glòries, Ciutadella, Port Olímpic and the seafront, making it easier to travel between tourist attractions before the festival events begin.
If you would like to visit the Bogatell area during the day, the Port Olímpic stop is a useful reference point. Before setting off, always check the latest map and schedule, as major events may cause temporary changes to traffic and tour routes.
👇👇 Buy your ticket here! 👇👇
Our tickets
- 24-hour Hop-on Hop-off ticket
- Audio guide in 15 languages
- Hearing loop for people with hearing impairments
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Hop on and off whenever you like
- Hop on and off at 30 stops whenever you like
- Panoramic views
- Free walking tour
- Free cancellation until the day of your tour
- 24-hour Hop on - Hop off sightseeing bus ticket
- 60-minute Eco Catamaran trip
- Views of Barcelona’s skyline from the sea
- Audio guide in 15 languages
- Free Wifi on board
- Hop on and off whenever you want
- Hop on and off at 30 stops whenever you want
- Panoramic views
- Free walking tour
- Free cancellation until the day of the tour
- Available from 5 June to 13 September 2026
- Panoramic night tour without stops
- Live local guide in Spanish, English and Catalan
- Illuminated iconic buildings
- Free Wi-Fi on board
- Open-top double-decker bus with 360° views
- Departure from Plaça de Catalunya at 9:30 pm
- 48-hour Hop on - Hop off sightseeing bus ticket
- 60-minute Eco Catamaran trip
- Views of Barcelona’s skyline from the sea
- Audio guide in 15 languages
- Free Wifi on board
- Hop on and off whenever you want
- Hop on and off at 30 stops whenever you want
- Panoramic views
- Free walking tour
- Free cancellation until the day of the tour
- 48 hours Hop on Hop off Ticket
- Audio guide in 15 languages
- Free Wifi on board
- Hop on and off as many times as you want
- More than 20 stops close to the main landmarks
- Panoramic views
- Free walking tour
- Free cancellation until the day of the tour
Hop On Hop Off Barcelona 24 hours ticket
Hop On Hop Off Barcelona 24h + 1h Eco-Catamaran cruise
Barcelona Night Tour
Hop On Hop Off Barcelona 48h + 1h Eco-Catamaran cruise
Hop On Hop Off Barcelona 48 hours ticket
Frequently asked questions about La Mercè 2026
When will the La Mercè 2026 festivities take place?
They will be held from 23 to 27 September 2026. Thursday 24 September is the feast day of Barcelona’s patron saint and the main day of the city’s festival, featuring some of its most important traditional cultural events.
When will the human towers take place in Plaça Sant Jaume?
Barcelona’s human tower groups will perform on 24 September at around 1:00 pm. Another display featuring guest groups will take place at 12:00 noon on Sunday 27 September. Both events offer an excellent opportunity to discover one of Catalonia’s most recognisable traditions.
When will the giants and big-headed figures parade?
On 24 September, the giants will perform dances in Plaça Sant Jaume from 10:45 am, followed by a morning street parade and the La Mercè Cavalcade in the afternoon. Other events featuring giants will also take place on 23 and 27 September.
Are all the activities and concerts free?
Most street events and concerts are free. Some venues have limited capacity, so arriving early may be important, particularly for popular concerts and traditional events in Plaça Sant Jaume.
Where will the Piromusical take place?
In 2026, it will be held on the Barcelona seafront, with the fireworks launched from the Bogatell area. It will take place at 10:00 pm on Sunday 27 September, exceptionally replacing its usual Montjuïc location.
