La Mercè 2024: The Ultimate Guide
Concerts, the piromusical, open doors, ‘castells’… Everything you need to know about Barcelona’s grand festival!
When is La Mercè celebrated?
La Mercè happens around September 24th, and this year, it’s from the 20th to the 24th.
What is La Mercè?
La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest party, along with the Santa Eulàlia festivities. It’s a celebration dedicated to Mercè, the city’s patron saint, and has been going strong since 1868, when the first religious and popular festivities were held in her honor.
Nowadays, La Mercè is all about hundreds of activities across different themes: there’s the Mercè Arts de Carrer (street art), popular culture events, the BAM music festival, and Acció Cultura Viva. Some of the highlights? The big parade, the fire run (correfoc), the Gegants i Nans (giants and dwarves), and the famous human towers (diades castelleres). The streets and squares come alive with culture, parades, and people just having a blast celebrating Barcelona.
Top activities
La Mercè: The best of each day
I’m sure you’re excited to see all the amazing things happening in Barcelona during La Mercè! Dance, music, circus, popular culture – whatever you’re into, there’s something for you!
Friday, September 20th
Things kick off with a bang on Friday! Carme Solé Vendrell will give the opening speech to officially start the festivities. After that, the fun begins with the ‘toc d’inici’ and the opening parade featuring Barcelona’s famous giants – from the city itself, El Pi, and Santa Maria del Mar, plus many others. Around the same time, in Avinguda de la Catedral, there’s a sardana dance with live music from the Cobla Sant Jordi – Ciutat de Barcelona. And at 10 PM, don’t miss the fire-breathing dragon parade starting at Plaça Comercial!
As for street art, the Parc de l’Estació del Nord will host ‘Danser Casa’ at 8:30 PM, a cool project by Moroccan choreographers Kader Attou and Mourad Merzouki. Then at 10 PM, the American disco scene takes over with ‘Underscored’, and at midnight, you can catch a DJ set by Partisana.
Saturday, September 21st
Big day for the giants! Barcelona’s giants turn 600 this year, so we’re going big. At 5 PM, they’ll gather for the International Giants Meeting at Rambla and Carrer de Ferran, ending at Plaça Sant Jaume with a huge party. On Passeig de Gràcia, there’s the drum parade (4:45 PM) and the ‘correfoc’ for kids (6 PM). The fire show starts at 8:30 PM, kicking off with the Ceptrotada and the ‘Encesa de la Porta del Infern’.
For street arts lovers, check out the circus and tightrope show ‘H’ at Castell de Montjuïc. If you’re in a playful mood, head to Parc de l’Estació del Nord for ‘Arrels’, a fun installation where you can explore traditions from all over the world through games.
Also, don’t miss MercèDansa! Starting at 11 AM, there’s traditional dance and sardanas at Avinguda Catedral, with music from Cobla Sabadell. The fun continues at Plaça Sant Jaume with the big Galop de la Mercè at 6:30 PM.
For the little ones, Palauet Albéniz is hosting ‘Un tros de pa’, a cute show for kids aged 2 to 4 about the origins and making of bread.
Sunday, September 22nd
Busy day! From 10 AM to noon, the International Giants Meeting continues with a parade from Plaça Sant Jaume to Plaça Catalunya. Then, head back to Plaça Sant Jaume at noon for the Diada Castellera – human towers by the Castellers de Barcelona, Minyons de Terrassa, and Colla Joves Xiquets de Valls.
At 1 PM, Cobla La Mediterrània will provide the tunes for another sardana dance at Avinguda Catedral. All day long, Plaça Reial will be alive with ‘esbarts’, traditional Catalan dance performances.
For street art, check out the magical ‘Le Manège de Contravent’ installation at Parc de la Trinitat. And at Parc de l’Estació del Nord, you can catch ‘11ONCE’ at 11 AM, a short choreography project inspired by two of J.M. Espinàs’ books.
Monday, September 23rd
Start the day at 10 AM with a visit to the popular exhibition at Palau de la Virreina. In the evening, don’t miss the Clavé 2024 Bicentennial concert at Plaça Sant Jaume, where you can hear the famous zarzuela L’Aplec del Remei. At 9 PM, there’s a carillon concert at the Palau de la Generalitat, with music played on its 50 bells. And if you’re up for some late-night magic, stay at Plaça Sant Jaume for the Nit de la vigília, where the giants come to life!
Over at Estació del Nord, photography fans can check out the ‘Ballar el Barri’ exhibit, featuring eleven portraits by Kiku Pinyol and a space where you cavents.
All the BAM and La Mercè concerts for 2024
From Friday, September 20th to Monday, September 23rd, 2024, Barcelona will turn into a musical paradise for La Mercè. Artists from over 20 different countries will perform across the city at various stages, offering more than 100 free concerts. And, as always, there’ll be something for everyone: from bold, experimental acts to family-friendly shows.
Expect big names like Oques Grasses, Figa Flawas, Miki Núñez, and Els Catarres, as well as some hidden gems. Portugal Alive will bring us fresh talent from Portugal, while more alternative vibes will come from Las Niñas del Corro, Cala Vento, Califato 3/4, and Okdw. And if classical music is more your thing, you’re covered too! The OBC, Barcelona’s Municipal Band, the Orquestra i Cor del Gran Teatre del Liceu, and the Simfònica Vozes with Maria Hinojosa will be there to sweep you off your feet.
With so many stages and so many days, picking where to go can be tough. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve organized the concerts by venue and day, so you can easily find the ones you can’t miss. Here’s the lineup!
Friday 20th
Plaça de Catalunya
Futuroa - 23.30 h
Los Ganglios - 01.30 h
Plaça Reial
Nicole Torrealba - 21.30 h
Blood Quartet + Dongyang Gozupa - 23 h
Abdullah Miniawy - 00.30 h
Rambla del Raval
Ale Hop & Laura Robles - 21 h
Latineo - 22.30 h
Gotopo - 00.30 h
Av. de la Catedral
Marwán - 22 h
Arrels de Gràcia - 00 h
Menéndez y Pelayo - Europa FM
Àlex Pérez - 20 h
Mariona Escoda - 21 h
Roger Padrós - 22 h
Jim - 23.15 h
Flashy Ice Cream - 00.15 h
Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol
San Isidro - 20.30 h
Pinan 450f - 22 h
Vic Mirallas - 23.45 h
Parc de la Ciutadella
Aïta Mon Amour - 22 h
Plaça Major de Nou Barris
Banda Municipal de Barcelona - 20.45 h
Platja de Bogatell. Escenari Mediterràniament
Maria Jaume - 20 h
La Ludwig Band - 21.30 h
Oques Grasses - 23.30 h
Figa Flawas - 1.30 h
Recinte Fabra i Coats - Escenari L'Harmonia
Valentina & the Electric Post - 18 h
Okdw - 19.20 h
Electro Ma Non Troppo - 20.45 h
Plaça de Can Fabra
Bravo 'Un aplauso para mí' - 22 h
Meli Perea - 23.30 h
Las Bajas Pasiones - 00.45 h
Teatre Grec
Sopa de Pedra - 21.30 h
Encuentro d'Arreu - 23.30 h
Saturday 21st
Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm
Lucía Fumero - 12 h
Lleona - 13 h
Crnds - 14 h
Cheb Kerem - 17.15 h
Malika - 19.15 h
Cheb Runner - 20.15 h
Plaça de Catalunya
Propuestas ganadoras del Concurs de Música Acústica y Pedrera 3.8 - 20.30 h
Ciutat - L'Amistat Ensemble - 22.30 h
Ouineta - 00 h
Chill Mafia - 1 h
Plaça Reial
Rozi Plain - 21.30 h
Repion - 23 h
Finale - 1.30 h
Rambla del Raval
Maalem Hassan Boussou & Raúl Rodríguez Ensemble - 22 h
Cala Vento - 00 h
Carrer de Menéndez y Pelayo - Cadena 100
Coco - 20 h
Mama Dousha - 20.50 h
Sexenni - 21.40 h
Guillem Roma - 22.30 h
Marlon - 23.20 h
Alfred García - 00.10 h
Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol
Dodideca - Conservatori del Liceu - 11.30 h
Big Band de les Escoles de Música Jam Session - 13.15 h
Diana Palau - Pedro Rosa - Zé Luis Nascimento - 20.15 h
Kailedoscope feat. Rita Payés & Javier Colina - 22 h
Augusto Bracho - 23.45 h
Parc de la Ciutadella
Alejandro y María Laura - 13 h
Juanlu Leprevost - 22 h
Plaça Major de Nou Barris
Orquestra Simfònica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC) - 20.45 h
Platja del Bogatell - Els 40
Ginestà - 20.30 h
Álvaro de Luna - 22 h
Stay Homas - 23.30 h
Buhos - 1.10 h
Teatre Grec
Mercedes Peón - 21.30 h
Vive La Fête - 23.30 h
Recinte Fabra i Coats - Escenari Fabra i Coats
Carpa Negra - 17.30 h
Kora - 18.50 h
Vitu Valera - 20.10 h
Recinte Fabra i Coats - Escenari L'Harmonia
Sordida - 18 h
Belén Natalí - 19.20 h
Roko Banana - 20.45 h
Plaça de Can Fabra
Cecé & the Soul Kitchen - 22 h
Dan Peralbo i el Comboi - 23.30 h
Øbsidiaän - 00.45 h
Recinte Fabra i Coats - Espai Vertical
Twerk Your Life - 16.00 h
Cants del Cor del Món - 17.45 h
Percussió Corporal - 19.30 h
Sunday 22nd
Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm
Fades - 12 h
Twin - 13 h
8kitoo - 14 h
Nina Emocional - 17.15 h
Somadamantina - 18.15 h
Rebe - 19.15 h
SDH - 20.15 h
Av. de la Catedral
Els 50 de Zeleste - 21 h
Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol
Esmuc: Aina & Eric i Julia Rodríguez - 12 h
Alba Haro - 19.45 h
Martín Sued & Orquestra Assintomática - 21.15 h
Puuluup - 22.45 h
Parc de la Ciutadella
Aymée Nuviola Quintet feat. Kemuel Roig - 12 h
Egosex - 22 h
Plaça Major de Nou Barris
Orquestra i Cor del Gran Teatre del Liceu - 20.45
Platja del Bogatell - RAC105
Scorpio - 19 h
Miki Núñez - 20 h
La Fúmiga - 21.15 h
Els Catarres - 23 h
Teatre Grec
Oum - 20 h
Mayra Andrade - 20.50
Recinte Fabra i Coats - Escenari L'Harmonia
Oye Sebas - 12.30 h
U.N.I.T.Y. - 13.45 h
Maracumbé 15 h
Monday 23rd
Plaça de Catalunya
Concurs Sona 9. Semifinals en directe - 20 h
Superreservao + Guxo (Live) - 22.30 h
Las Ninyas del Corro - 00 h
Putochinomaricón - 1.30 h
Plaça Reial
Magalí Datzira - 21.30 h
Gabriela Richardson - 23 h
Kassa Overall - 00.30 h
Rambla del Raval
Portugal Alive: Ana Lua Caiano - 21.30 h
Portugal Alive: King Kami b2b Bleid - 23 h
Portugal Alive: Bateu Matou - 00.30 h
Av. de la Catedral
Karime Amaya - 22 h
Califato 3/4 - 00 h
Jardins del Doctor Pla i Armengol
Magalí Sare & Manel Fortià - 20.15 h
Tina Masawi - 22 h
Carmen y María - 23.45 h
Plaça Major de Nou Barris
Simfònica Vozes i Maria Hinojosa - 19.30 h
Terra i Gust: Sustainable Food Festival at La Mercè 2024
This year’s La Mercè will once again host the Terra i Gust festival, from September 20th to 22nd—a celebration of sustainable food that highlights local, healthy, and eco-friendly produce. Set in the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella, it’s a must for food lovers.
Expect tastings, cooking demos, workshops, prizes, and even live music. This edition will shine a spotlight on key topics like food waste, sustainable fishing, and water conservation. Fourteen restaurants will be participating, each offering two signature dishes. You’ll get to savor delights from places like La Sonsega and Casa Xica, among others.
🧑💻 https://www.alimentaciosostenible.barcelona/en/terra-i-gust
📍 Parc de la Ciutadella, Passeig Picasso 21
🚇 Arc de Triomf (L1) / Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica (L4)
💶 5€ per dish
La Mercè 2024: Free museum day
CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona)
The CCCB joins the open house on September 24 to celebrate La Mercè. Don’t miss the exhibition on artist Agnès Varda.
Reservations required on the website.
Hours: 24th of September, 11 AM to 8 PM
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Open from 10 AM to 3 PM on September 24, this is your chance to explore both the museum’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
Hours: 24th of September, 10 AM to 3 PM
MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona)
The MACBA opens its doors all day on September 24. Be sure to check out the exhibition “Mari Chordà… and many other things.”
Hours: 24th of September, 10 AM to 8 PM
Palau Güell
Antoni Gaudí’s early masterpiece, commissioned in 1886 by Eusebi Güell, will also be open on La Mercè day.
24th of September, 10 AM to 8 PM
Biblioteca Pública Arús
Visit this historical library, designed by architect Bonaventura Bassegoda in the late 19th century.
Hours: September 20, 11 AM to 2:30 PM
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
This UNESCO World Heritage site offers free visits on September 24 with prior reservation.
Hours: September 24th, 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Filmoteca de Catalunya
Enjoy films at an unbeatable price. From Buster Keaton to Jean-Luc Godard, this spot is a cinema lover’s dream.
Hours: September 24th, 10 AM to 2 PM and 4 PM to 9 PM
Museu de la Xocolata
A must for chocolate lovers, this museum offers a fun, informative experience with chocolate sculptures and interactive exhibits.
Hours: 24th of September, 10 AM to 3 PM
Fabra i Coats, Centre d’Art Contemporani
This contemporary art space is free to visit during La Mercè weekend.
Hours: September 20, 21 & 23 from 12 PM to 8 PM; September 22 from 11 AM to 3 PM.
Make sure to check the exact times and reserve tickets where needed!
*Sagrada Familia offers an open house but sadly, to enter you need to win a draw made a few days ago.
Piromusical (Fireworks Show)
The spectacular combination of light and music that marks the end of the festivities. Last year, the Sónar soundtrack took over, and this year, it’s none other than Rosalía curating the playlist for the fireworks show!
📍 Avinguda Maria Cristina
📅 September 24th, 22.00h
Diada Castellera (Human Towers) at La Mercè
One of the must-see events at every Mercè! Sant Jaume Square fills up with people to witness the incredible human towers.
There are two major dates:
• On Sunday, September 22nd at 12 PM, you’ve got the Historical Diada with the Castellers of Barcelona, the Minyons of Terrassa, and the Colla Joves Xiquets of Valls. The parade kicks off at 11:30 AM from Palau de la Virreina.
• On Tuesday, September 24th, another Diada Castellera happens in Sant Jaume Square from 1 to 3 PM. This day focuses on the city’s casteller groups: Castellers of Barcelona, Castellers of Sants, Gràcia, Poble Sec, Sagrada Familia, Sarrià, and more.
La Mercè Festival is much more than just fireworks and concerts; it’s a unique opportunity to dive into Barcelona’s rich culture. With a wide variety of free activities, including museum visits, art exhibitions, food festivals, and music events, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re enjoying modernist architecture, admiring chocolate sculptures, or soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere, La Mercè turns Barcelona into a showcase of its cultural heritage. So, leave your routine behind and immerse yourself in the countless experiences this festival has to offer. Don’t miss it!
Thanks for helping me be there in spirit!
Thank you for putting this together! We live near Arc de Triomf so plan to take part in the festivities. I want to see the monsters in the Born Cultural Center! And looks like they are setting up a huge book festival in front of the Arc? People must really love books here; just one of many things I love about this city.