La Mercè, 2026 – Barcelona (23rd – 27th September)
Flying to or from Barcelona this year? Around the end of September Barcelona holds an enormous street party, the Barcelona La Mercè Festival in thanks for help received in the Middle Ages from of its patron saint, the Virgin of Grace or ‘La Mare de Déu de la Mercè’.
Celebrations have taken place in various forms since 1687, when Barcelona suffered a plague of locusts. According to the traditional story, the city placed itself in the hands of the Virgin of La Mercè, and after the plague had passed, she became the city’s patron saint.
Celebrations have taken place at this time of year in one form or other since 1687, when Barcelona suffered a plague of locusts. The government asked the Virgin for help, and the city was delivered from the pest.
Enjoy 4 days of all that is the most traditional in the popular culture of Catalonia, with the main event, the Día de la Mercè, taking place on the 24th, one of Barcelona’s main bank holidays.
‘The festival starts on September 23rd – 27th – and it’s all free.
Look out for street parades, castellers, giants, street theatre, music, dance, correfocs, circus, street races……or if you’re feeling vulnerable, avoid like the plague!
It’s not the easiest time to hire or drive a car in Barcelona, with major celebrations, road closures and large crowds affecting parts of the city.
La Mercè – patron saint of Barcelona
The legend goes that on the night of 24 September 1218, the Virgin appeared simultaneously to King Jaume I, Saint Pere Nolasc and Saint Ramon de Penyafort. According to the legend, she asked them to create an order dedicated to freeing Christians held captive by the Saracens.
Centuries later, in 1687, Barcelona suffered a serious plague of locusts. The city turned to the Virgin of La Mercè for help and, after the plague was overcome, the Council of the City named her patron saint of Barcelona. Pope Pius IX officially recognised her patronage in 1868.
The origins of the annual festival
After La Mercè’s patronage was officially recognised, Barcelona began celebrating a festival in September.
The first popular La Mercè festivities were held in 1871, when the celebrations became a civic event involving the people of Barcelona. Francesc de Paula Rius i Taulet subsequently played an important role in developing the festival during his time as councillor and later as mayor.
The history of La Mercè has had its ups and downs, including the disruption caused by the Civil War and the Franco period. With the return of democracy, the festival developed into the huge, city-wide celebration it is today, with organisations and neighbourhoods from across Barcelona taking part.
The festival today
Today, La Mercè transforms Barcelona into a huge open-air stage. The programme brings together traditional Catalan culture, street arts, concerts, dance, theatre, circus and other performances across venues and public spaces throughout the city.
There are castellers, giants and traditional dances alongside contemporary music and international street performances. With so much taking place over just a few days, you’ll inevitably have to choose between events.
Barcelona’s speciality
Many of the most traditional activities of La Mercè are a celebration of popular culture from across Catalonia.
There’s the sardana, human towers and correfocs, alongside traditional dances and processions. One of Barcelona’s particular specialities is its street parades, which have their origins in the spectacular processions once held for Corpus Christi.
Today, these parades bring together groups representing Barcelona’s popular culture with street artists, helping to keep alive the festive and theatrical character of these centuries-old traditions.
La Mercè 2026 – Shanghai comes to Barcelona
One of the highlights of La Mercè 2026 is the festival’s focus on Shanghai, this year’s guest city.
2026 marks 25 years of the twinning between Barcelona and Shanghai, and La Mercè will welcome more than 100 artists from Shanghai and members of Barcelona’s Chinese community, bringing Chinese music, street arts and cultural traditions into the festival programme.
So, if you’re flying through Barcelona between 23rd and 27th September 2026, expect the city to be particularly lively — and allow extra time if you’re travelling across town.
Check the official Mercè website programme for the latest events, locations and timings.
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