Three-Day Weekend Confirmed for 2026

Barcelona will observe Catalonia's National Day, known as La Diada, on Friday, 11 September 2026. Since the date falls on a Friday, those not working on weekends will have a three-day break until Sunday, 13 September.

This public holiday, established by the Generalitat de Catalunya, is one of the most significant in the region and commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714.

La Mercè Festival to Follow

Later in the month, Barcelona’s second local holiday, La Mercè Day, will be observed on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The city council has confirmed that the annual Festa Major will run from 23 to 28 September, with a full programme of accessible cultural events.

The La Mercè Parade, featuring colles geganteres (giant puppet groups), will take place on 24 September from Plaça de Catalunya to Plaça de Sant Jaume between 6 pm and 9 pm.

"Shows, workshops and installations are just a small selection of the activities that will include a wide range of accessibility measures this year."

Accessibility features include reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility and noise-cancelling headphones for those with auditory sensitivity. Cognitive accessibility guides are also available for children with ASD.

Further holidays in 2026 include Spain’s National Day on Monday, 12 October, which will create another three-day weekend.

  • 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • 6 January: Three Kings Day
  • 3 April: Good Friday
  • 6 April: Easter Monday
  • 1 May: Labour Day
  • 24 June: Sant Joan
  • 15 August: Assumption of the Virgin
  • 11 September: Catalonia’s National Day
  • 24 September: La Mercè Day
  • 12 October: Spain’s National Day
  • 8 December: Immaculate Conception
  • 25 December: Christmas Day
  • 26 December: Sant Esteve

Barcelona will observe 14 public holidays in total in 2026, including two local holidays and 12 established by the Generalitat.

Primary sources: Barcelona City Council. Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, David León Himelfarb, Turisme de Catalunya, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.