La Mercè 2026: A Festival for All Ages

The La Mercè 2026 festivities will take place from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September, filling Barcelona with concerts, street arts, parades, and cultural displays designed for all ages. Many events are tailored for families, offering children the chance to experience Catalan traditions including human towers, giants, fire runs, and musical processions.

Main Events for Families

On Thursday 24 September, the official opening begins at 8 am with Grallers' morning calls in Plaça de la Mercè, followed by an official procession and a Giants dance show at Plaça de Sant Jaume. At 1 pm, the first Human Tower Day will be held at the same location, broadcast live on betevé.

In the evening, the Mercè cavalcade starts at Plaça de Catalunya at 6 pm and arrives at Plaça de Sant Jaume by 7 pm. At 8:30 pm, 'The Eagle' leads a parade from Plaça Sant Jaume to Palau de la Virreina. A choral concert follows at 9 pm, and drone shows light up Platja de l'espigó del Gas at 9 pm and 10 pm.

Friday Fire and Light Displays

On Friday 25 September, families can attend a display of dragons and fire beasts at El Born Cultural Centre starting at 9 pm, with a parade beginning at Plaça Comercial. The International Pyrotechnic Festival launches at 10 pm on the same beach.

The children's fire run takes place on Saturday 26 September at 6 pm along Passeig de Gràcia, offering young participants a safe, festive version of the traditional correfoc.

Saturday Highlights

Saturday 26 September features the itinerant musical show Girafes en ruta at Plaça Comas (Les Corts) at 11 am and 6–7 pm. Mercè Dansa begins at 11 am on Avinguda de la Catedral, culminating in a closing performance at Plaça de Sant Jaume at 5:30 pm.

At 7 pm, El Galop de la Mercè invites public participation in a communal dance at Plaça de Sant Jaume. The evening’s fire events begin with the children’s fire run at 6 pm on Passeig de Gràcia, followed by the main fire run and premiere of 'Gate of Hell' at 8:30 pm.

Sunday Closing Celebrations

Sunday 27 September opens with a Falcons parade at Plaça Nova (Avinguda de la Catedral) at 10:30 am, followed by the Falcons morning at Plaça de Sant Jaume at 11 am. An additional Girafes en ruta performance takes place at Plaça de Sarrià from 11 am to noon and again from 6–7 pm.

The historic Human Tower Day, featuring invited groups, begins at 12 pm at Plaça de Sant Jaume. The festival concludes with the Toc a plegar parade departing at 8:30 pm from Plaça Sant Jaume and arriving at Palau de la Virreina at 10 pm, where the contradansa of the Giants marks the official close.

The Piromusical de la Mercè fireworks display will launch at 10 pm from Nova Icària beach, a change from previous years, lighting up the sky in sync with music.

Exhibitions and Open Days

  • Giants and Popular Culture Exhibits: From 11 to 23 and 25 to 27 September, Palau de la Virreina hosts displays of festival icons including the Eagle, Lion, Víbria, Dragon, and City Giants. Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9 am–9 pm; 23 Sept 9 am–3 pm; weekends 10 am–9 pm.
  • Restored Giants: The 120-year-old Plaça Nova Giants, newly restored with updated costumes, are on view from 15 to 27 September at the same venue (closed Mondays).
  • Dragons and Beasts Exhibition: The Museum of History – El Born showcases Barcelona’s mythological creatures from 8 to 26 September (10 am–8 pm, closed Mondays).
  • Singular Giants: Unique giant figures from across Catalonia will be displayed alongside regular exhibits from 15 to 27 September.

Additionally, the Zoo and Tibidabo Amusement Park will offer free access for children during the festival period, providing accessible family outings.

Reported by beteve.cat, betevé.