Free-entry openings linked to Barcelona's La Mercè festivities will begin on Tuesday 22 September, according to a guide published by El Nacional. The programme lists museums, historic buildings and cultural spaces opening on specific dates through Sunday 27 September.

For residents and visitors planning their festival days, the largest group of free openings is scheduled for Thursday 24 September. Opening times differ by venue, and several sites close earlier than the usual evening timetable.

Openings before and across the festival days

The guide lists the following openings outside the main Thursday programme:

  • Biblioteca Pública Arús: Tuesday 22 September, 18:00–20:00.
  • Jardí Botànic: Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September, 10:00–19:00.
  • Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona: Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 September, 10:00–19:00; Thursday 24 and Sunday 27 September, 10:00–14:00.
  • La Fabra Centre d'Art Contemporani: Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 September, 12:00–20:00; Thursday 24 and Sunday 27 September, 11:00–15:00.
  • La Capella: Wednesday 23, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 September, 12:00–20:00; Thursday 24 September, 11:00–14:00.
  • Espai Bombers – Parc de la Prevenció de Barcelona: Wednesday 23 September, 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00.
  • Espais Volart: Saturday 26 September, 11:00–19:00.
  • Museu Can Framis: Saturday 26 September, 11:00–18:00.

Free entry on 24 September

On Thursday 24 September, the guide lists free admission at MUHBA El Born and Castell de Montjuïc from 10:00 to 20:00, while MUHBA Plaça del Rei will open from 10:00 to 19:00.

  • Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch and Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya: 10:00–14:30.
  • MNAC, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya: 10:00–15:00.
  • Vía Sepulcral, part of the Museu d'Història de Barcelona: 10:00–14:00.
  • Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes: 10:00–17:00, including the museum and its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
  • Museu de la Música and Museu d'Història de Catalunya: 10:00–19:00.
  • Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona: 10:00–19:30, with access to the courtyard, terrace and lobby exhibition space.
  • Disseny Hub Barcelona, Museu Picasso, Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món at Montcada, Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món at Montjuïc Park, Museu Marítim de Barcelona and the schooner Santa Eulàlia, MACBA, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, CaixaForum Barcelona, Fundació Joan Miró, Pabellón Mies van der Rohe and Palau Güell: 10:00–20:00.

The guide says Museu Picasso's free admission will include its permanent collection and the temporary exhibition Picasso Cyprus. Encounters with Mediterranean Ceramics. At the Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, it will include Planet Life, Invisible Animals and the Living Rooftop.

Poble Espanyol will offer free entry on 24 September, 10:00–20:00, for people registered as residents of Barcelona city. MOCO Museum will offer free admission that day to visitors named Mercè, Mercedes or Merche, while other visitors will be offered a two-for-one promotion, according to the guide.

Museu de la Xocolata is also listed with access to its permanent exhibition from 10:00 to 15:00, with final entry at 14:30. Visitors should check the official La Mercè programme before travelling, as it is identified in the guide as the listing for activities running from 23 to 27 September.

Reported by elnacional.cat, El Nacional.