Citywide Festival Opens with Record Reach

La Mercè 2026 is taking place across all ten districts of Barcelona for the first time, with new performance spaces in Sarrià, Les Corts and Plaça de les Glòries. The festival, running from 23 to 27 September, features 109 concerts, 55 traditional culture displays and 180 street arts performances in 32 locations, according to the Ajuntament de Barcelona. This year’s theme emphasizes decentralisation and inclusivity, with the city’s annual celebration transforming public spaces into open-air stages.

Glòries Draws Families Under Scorching Sun

Plaça de les Glòries hosted its first La Mercè Street Arts programme on Thursday 24 September, attracting large numbers of families despite the public holiday and summer-like heat. The newly renovated square, once dominated by a major road junction, welcomed performances including contemporary circus by Cia. Lanördika and a dance-sound fusion act by Laura Morales. Municipal staff distributed cardboard hats to prevent sunstroke as crowds filled the space early, with attendees arriving before 11:00 to secure viewing spots.

  • The first show began at 11:00, drawing hundreds to the main stage.
  • A second performance at 12:30 on an adjacent stage also saw full attendance.
  • An itinerant parade with giant giraffes toured the park throughout the afternoon.

Some attendees criticised the limited visibility, particularly for children. Facundo Domínguez, attending with his family, said he could barely see the stage even with his daughter on his shoulders: "They should put up a platform like they do at the Fòrum. If you arrive at the time of the show, it's impossible to see anything."

"More reserved spaces for children are needed, that are truly for them. I know it's difficult to control adults from sitting there, but a solution should be found.", Álex, attending with wife and son

Others welcomed the new venue. Retired couple Pere Bazar and Francesca Carrillo, visiting out of curiosity, said they were "very happy" with the experience: "We wanted to give this part of the main festival a chance; we already know the other activities. Some things are also being done well in Barcelona!"

Parallel Family Activities at Estació del Nord

Just one metro stop away, Parc de l'Estació del Nord also served as a family-focused venue, offering workshops, food trucks and rest areas across all four festival days. The Martínez family, unaware the children’s area had moved to Glòries, said they missed the larger dedicated space from previous years. Still, residents Arnau and Judit Tura praised the relaxed atmosphere: "Here, the stress isn't as noticeable as in other parts of the city; we like to come for a walk and see the atmosphere."

Evening Highlights Include Drone Show and La Fura dels Baus

As night fell, the festival continued with major events. A drone show by Flock Drone Art Studio, titled El fil vermell. De Barcelona a Shanghai, lit up the sky at Espigó del Gas beach, marking 25 years of friendship between Barcelona and its twin city. The performance, featuring 750 drones, wove together symbols from both cities in a choreography inspired by the legend of the red thread of fate. Meanwhile, La Fura dels Baus premiered EMERGENCY ÈXIT at Moll de la Fusta, an immersive production on climate emergency combining electronic music by Satori and visuals by Eyesberg. The show forms part of a broader programme highlighting Shanghai as this year’s guest city, the first Asian city invited to La Mercè.

What’s Next

Friday’s programme includes daytime family activities and evening concerts, leading into a weekend packed with live music, street arts and traditional Catalan culture, culminating in Sunday’s Piromusical. Full details are available on the official La Mercè 2026 programme.

Primary sources: barcelona.cat, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona. Reported by elperiodico.com, lavanguardia.com, barcelonasecreta.com, El Periódico Barcelona.