Local Colles Take Centre Stage on La Mercè Day
The annual casteller events will return to Plaça de Sant Jaume as part of Barcelona’s La Mercè 2026 festivities. On Thursday 24 September, designated as La Mercè day, eight local casteller colles will perform in a tradition that draws one of the most loyal audiences of the festival. The event begins at 1 PM and will be broadcast live on DTT and the betevé website. This performance marks a key moment in the popular culture programme of the festival, celebrating the city’s human tower heritage with teams from across Barcelona.
Historic Casteller Event Features Top Invited Groups
A second major event, the Historic Casteller Event, will take place on Sunday 27 September at 12 PM in the same location. It will feature three of Catalonia’s most renowned groups: Castellers de Barcelona, the city’s oldest colla and long-time hosts of the event; Minyons de Terrassa; and Joves Xiquets de Valls. Organisers expect top-category castell constructions, showcasing the peak of the tradition’s technical and collaborative skill. Ahead of the event, a casteller parade will depart from the Palau de la Virreina at 11:30 AM, leading the participating colles to Plaça de Sant Jaume. Both events will be available to follow live via betevé, the city’s municipal broadcaster.
How to Attend and Watch
Plaça de Sant Jaume, located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, will be accessible via public transport. Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) typically operates extended metro services during La Mercè, as it did for 91 consecutive hours in 2023, though the 2026 schedule has not yet been confirmed. Visitors are advised to arrive early to secure viewing space. Those unable to attend can watch the events live on DTT or streamed on the betevé website.
Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat, noticies.tmb.cat, tmb.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, ca.wikipedia.org, elperiodico.com, elmoncasteller.cat, 20minutos.es, naciodigital.cat, ultimahora.es, CatalunyaPress.es, betevé.
