Full Lineup Across 16 Stages

Barcelona’s La Mercè 2026 festival will host 109 free concerts from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September, with performances spread across 16 stages in 14 city spaces, according to the official programme published by the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona.

The festival, one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events, will feature artists from around 30 countries, reflecting "the diversity cultural and the richness of accents that define today’s Barcelona", said Anna Lleó, head of Festes i Tradicions at the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona.

Concerts will take place at established venues including the Teatre Grec, Avinguda de la Catedral, Passeig dels Til·lers in Parc de la Ciutadella, Plaça de Sant Jaume, and Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol, as well as at Parc de les Glòries, Avinguda de Maria Cristina, and Bogatell Beach.

Major Acts and New Talent

Headliners include Leire Martínez, Nacho Vegas, Miki Núñez, Svetlana, Els Amics de les Arts, Els Catarres, Buhos, and La Pegatina. One act will remain a surprise until performance time, organisers confirmed during a press briefing.

The programme combines popular appeal with support for emerging artists and contemporary creation. Música Mercè, under the final direction of Gisela Sais, will present 34 concerts, while BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical), now led by Marta Mei and Aina Pociello, will deliver 39 performances focused on new local and international scenes.

The festival consolidates La Mercè as one of the country’s major musical events, blending big names with fresh voices.

Stage Highlights by Location

  • Avinguda de Maria Cristina: Hosts RAC105 and Els 40 collaborations with Maria Jaume, Els Amics de les Arts, Teràpia de Shock, Sexenni, Miki Núñez, and Buhos.
  • Bogatell Beach: Venue for Europa FM and Estrella Damm’s Nit Mediterràniament, featuring Paula Koops, Leire Martínez, Al·lèrgiques al Pol·len, La Pegatina, and Svetlana.
  • Teatre Grec: Focus on major singer-songwriters and special productions.
  • Avinguda de la Catedral: Dedicated to rumba, flamenco, and traditional music.
  • Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol: Intimate jazz, contemporary works, and emerging talent.
  • Plaça de Catalunya, Rambla del Raval, Moll de la Fusta, and Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm: BAM stages highlighting experimental and cross-genre acts.
  • Plaça Major de Nou Barris: Returns as the symphonic music hub.

The 2026 edition includes a special focus on gender equality, cultural diversity, and youth engagement, with a total budget of €184,000 allocated to the music programme.

Shanghai is this year’s invited city, marking an expanded international presence from regions including Senegal, Portugal, and the United States.

How to Access the Full Programme

Residents and visitors can view the complete schedule, including daily lineups and exact timings, via the official La Mercè 2026 programme guide published by betevé.

Reported by beteve.cat, elperiodico.com, rtve.es, 20minutos.es, Catalan News (in English), betevé.