La Mercè 2016 Festival – Main Events & Program

La Mercè 2016 Festival – Main Events & Program

La Mercè 2016 Program in English (PDF)

La Mercè is the biggest annual festival in Barcelona, honoring the Virgin of Grace (Mare de Déu de la Mercè in Catalan), patron saint of the archdiocese of Barcelona and co-patroness of the city, along with Saint Eulàlia.

Although the actual public holiday is September 24th, the festival lasts four days (September 22nd to 25th). All sort of activities and concerts take place across the city but Plaça Sant Jaume, where the City Hall is located, is by far the epicenter of La Mercè.

Here are our favorite activities (check the PDF above for more details):

THURSDAY 22

19.00 – Inaugural procession

FRIDAY 23

18.00 to 21.00 – International Folklore Festival

SATURDAY 24

11.45 – Parade of dwarfs and giants

12.30 – Castells (human towers built by local groups)

9.30 – Parade of dragons and fire-breathing beasts

SUNDAY 25

11.30 – Parade of casteller human tower building groups

20.30 – Correfoc de La Mercè fire run

EVERYDAY

Starting around 20.30 – Projection mapping on the façade of Barcelona City Hall: Colorama

See you there!