What is the La Mercè Festival?
La Mercè is often called the “festival of all festivals” in Barcelona, and for good reason. Every September, the city transforms into one big stage, with artists, musicians, and performers filling the streets with everything from traditional dances to contemporary shows.
The festival honours Barcelona’s patron saint, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (Our Lady of Mercy), but it has grown far beyond its religious origins. Today, it’s made up of countless smaller celebrations that together capture the cultural richness and creativity of the city.
This year, the lineup is bigger than ever. Expect live music, dancing, fireworks, parades, circus acts, street art, and plenty more.
Ultimately, La Mercè is more than just a party. It’s a festival that brings the whole city together, celebrating the traditions, values, and vibrant spirit that make Barcelona unique.
La Mercè Festival
History of La Mercè in Barcelona
La Mercè has been celebrated in Barcelona since 1868, with the official holiday falling on 24th September, though the festivities now last for several days.
The festival honours the city’s patron saint, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (Our Lady of Mercy), who the people of Barcelona believe to have performed miracles to protect the city. According to one legend, in 1218 the Virgin appeared to King Jaume I, Saint Peter Nolasco, and Saint Raymond of Peñafort, asking them to create a new religious order devoted to rescuing Christian captives. This became the Order of Mercy, and the Virgin was from then on closely tied to Barcelona.
Another story dates to 1687, when the city was devastated by a plague of locusts. The people turned to Our Lady of Mercy for help, and when the plague ended, she was declared one of Barcelona’s patron saints (alongside Saint Eulàlia). In 1868, Pope Pius IX officially named her the principal patroness of the city, and in 1871 her feast day on 24th September was made a public holiday.
At first, La Mercè was celebrated in a very religious and conservative way. But in 1902, the festival began to take on a new character, introducing parades, castells (human towers), sardana dances and other popular traditions. From that point on, La Mercè started evolving into the open, diverse, and culturally rich celebration we know today.
Festival Highlights
Gegants and capgrossos
Gegants and Capgrossos (giants and big heads) are a huge part of the La Mercè festival and Catalan culture as a whole.
Rooted in Corpus Christi celebrations, the Giants parade can be found in festivals all throughout Catalonia. These figures are crafted from paper-mâché as representations of important historical figures and symbols in Catalan culture. Rising above a lively crowd, the giants sway and dance to the drums and percussion of the parade music. Overall, this parade is a highlight of La Mercè celebrations and worth going to for people of all ages!
Correfoc
The Correfoc, also known as ‘fire run’, is an iconic, highly anticipated aspect of the La Mercè festival. The parade consists of diables and dracs (devils and dragons) performing mesmerising dances amidst a breathtaking shower of thousands of fireworks.
Since the Correfoc can get quite dangerous, it is not recommended for children; however, there is an alternative fun, yet safe, junior Correfoc happening shortly before the main event. The main difference between the junior and the adult Correfoc is that in the adult one, firework flames are thrown to the people. So, if you are planning on attending the main event make sure to take extra safety precautions and wear protective clothing.
Castellers
Another age-old Catalan tradition that makes up a huge part of the La Mercè festival is the Castellers, or human towers, a tradition that came about at the end of the 18th century and has been popular in Catalonia ever since. People get together and climb on top of one another, creating a human tower that is almost 8 stories high. To finish off the tower, a child will climb to the top. During the La Mercè festival, this event usually takes place in the Gothic Quarter.
BAM Festival
Live music makes up a huge part of the La Mercè festival. So much so, that there is an entire music festival itself within the La Mercè festival. The BAM (Barcelona Accio Musical) Festival is a series of free, outdoor concerts all across the city of Barcelona. From 23rd to 28th September 2025, you’ll find performances spanning electronic, pop, indie, rock, and experimental sounds. With stages spread throughout the city and a line-up featuring both international acts and emerging local talent, BAM offers something for every music lover!
La Mercè 2025 Poster
Every year, La Mercè unveils a new poster that captures the spirit of Barcelona’s great annual festival. For 2025, the tradition has taken a bold new turn. Instead of a static image, this year’s “poster” is something you can see, touch, and experience in the streets: a real cart, crafted from wood, metal, and imagination.
Designed under the artistic direction of filmmaker and set designer Lluís Danés, the 2025 poster is not just a work of art, it’s a celebration of collaboration. Dozens of artisans, carpenters, welders, designers, make-up artists, musicians, dancers, circus performers, photographers, and more all came together to build it. Much like the festival itself, every person had a part to play, transforming the project into a living symbol of shared creativity and collective joy.
The cart draws inspiration from the travelling theatres of the past while looking firmly toward the future: modern, radical, and full of emotion. Every detail tells a story of the city, its traditions, its food, its music, its sport, and above all, its diverse and creative people.
As singer-songwriter Gemma Humet captures in the festival’s anthem ‘La Mercè canta’, “She’s the hand that never hides, seeds sown in windy times.” That spirit runs through this year’s creation: open, generous, and made for everyone to enjoy.
The 2025 poster is more than just an image, it’s an invitation to live the festival, to feel it, and to sing with La Mercè.
La Mercè 2025 Guest City - Manchester
This year, La Mercè welcomes Manchester as its guest city and with it, the bees have arrived to join the party! The bee, a historic symbol of Manchester’s industrious spirit, has been reimagined for Barcelona’s Festa Major. Thanks to a collaboration between local artisans and cultural groups from both Catalonia and England, festival-goers will spot two special creations during the traditional parades: a giant bee figure and a mythical bee creature, fusing Manchester’s festive imagination with Barcelona’s own traditions.
But the connection between these two cities goes far beyond shared industrial roots. Both Barcelona and Manchester thrive on culture, and this year’s programme reflects that shared creative energy. Música Mercè brings a taste of Manchester’s music scene, with Ríoghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet, Porij, and Chloe Slater, plus a special set from Queralt Lahoz and DJ Tom Werkha. At BAM, don’t miss Children of Zeus and Space Afrika.
Mercè Arts de Carrer will also showcase Manchester’s creativity, from Stopgap Dance Company and Ro-Tes to large-scale installations like ‘Warning Notes’ and the magical ‘Fire Garden’. Other highlights include Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Joseph Tonga’s Born to Protest, Artizani’s Bees! The Colony, the Family Catwalk Extravaganza, and performances by Company Chameleon, Damae Dance, and Motionhouse.
Together, Barcelona and Manchester prove that culture is best celebrated when shared.
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