La Mercè in Barcelona: Dates, Correfoc, Castells and Piromusical
What happens at La Mercè, when and where the main events take place, how to follow the official programme and how to stay safe at the correfoc.
La Mercè is Barcelona’s main city festival, held each year around 24 September, the feast of the city’s patron and a local public holiday. In 2026 it ran from 23 to 27 September, with castells (human towers) in Plaça Sant Jaume, the correfoc (fire run) on Passeig de Gràcia and a closing piromusical at Bogatell beach.
When is La Mercè?
The festival is built around 24 September, the day of the Mare de Déu de la Mercè, which is one of Barcelona’s two local holidays; our calendar of Barcelona public holidays lists it with the others. In 2026 the festival covered five days around that date.
The 2026 edition ran from Wednesday 23 to Sunday 27 September, with Shanghai as guest city. The Ajuntament (Barcelona City Council) has announced that Mexico City will be the guest city in 2027. The 2027 dates and program are published on the official La Mercè website in the weeks before the festival.
What are the main events?
| Event | What it is | 2026 date and place |
|---|---|---|
| Castells | Human towers built by teams of castellers | Plaça Sant Jaume, 24 and 27 September |
| Cavalcada | Festival parade | 24 September, 6 pm, Carrer de Pelai to Plaça Sant Jaume |
| Correfoc dels petits | Children’s fire run | 26 September, 6 pm to 7:45 pm, Passeig de Gràcia |
| Correfoc | Fire run with devils and fire beasts | 26 September, 8:30 pm to 11 pm, Passeig de Gràcia from Provença to Consell de Cent |
| Piromusical | Fireworks set to music, closing the festival | 27 September, 10 pm, Bogatell beach breakwater |
| Drone show | Light show over the sea | On the beach front |
Castells are towers of people built by teams called colles castelleres, with a broad base of supporters at the bottom and a child climbing to the top to signal that the tower is complete. Plaça Sant Jaume, between the Ajuntament and the Palau de la Generalitat, is the traditional stage, and during La Mercè the square fills so quickly that the city limits entry once it reaches capacity. UNESCO added castells to its list of intangible cultural heritage in 2010.
The 2026 drone show, “The Red Thread. From Barcelona to Shanghai”, marked 25 years of friendship between the two cities. Beyond these, the program includes the BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) concerts, the MAC street arts program and sports activities. In 2026 the piromusical moved to the Bogatell breakwater for the first time. Expect venues to change from year to year and check the program before you go.
How do you stay safe at the correfoc?
At the correfoc, groups of devils and fire beasts run through the crowd with lit fireworks that throw off sparks and loud bangs. The city’s safety advice for participants and spectators is:
- Wear long sleeves and long trousers in cotton, not synthetic fabrics. Add a cotton scarf around your neck and a cap if you plan to get close to the sparks, plus sturdy closed shoes.
- Protect your eyes and ears from the bangs. People with reduced mobility should watch from a safe spot away from the route.
- Do not bring glass or alcohol; drink non-alcoholic drinks.
- Keep children out of the front row and away from the fire, or take them to the children’s correfoc instead.
- Never throw water at the fire groups.
Medical teams and ambulances are on site during the event. If you or a child is burned or injured away from them, our guide to emergency numbers in Barcelona explains when to call 112.
How do you get around during La Mercè?
Use the metro. During the 2026 festival it ran all night on 23, 25 and 26 September and until midnight on 24 and 27 September, with about 30% more trains on the main lines. Street closures around Passeig de Gràcia and the beach front divert bus lines. A T-casual or T-usual works on the metro as on any other day.
The city also runs Punts Lila (purple points) where people can report sexual harassment, assault or LGBTI-phobic incidents. In 2026 they stood on the Bogatell beach front and Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina on the busiest nights, with mobile teams at the correfoc. Police checkpoints at big venues looked for knives and other dangerous objects.
Where can you find the official program?
The full program appears on the La Mercè website, which has an English version. You can also ask at the city’s information point in the Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla 99, or by calling 010. Castells in Plaça Sant Jaume fill up: the city controls access once the square reaches capacity, so arrive early.
Bottom line
For the correfoc, decide in advance whether you want to be inside the sparks or watching from a distance, and dress for that choice; old cotton clothes you do not mind marking are the safest bet. For the castells, get to Plaça Sant Jaume well before the start, since entry is cut once the square is full.
FAQ
Is La Mercè free?
The main street events, including the castells, correfoc, parade and piromusical, are free and open to everyone.
Is 24 September a holiday?
Yes. La Mercè day is one of Barcelona’s two local public holidays, alongside Whit Monday. Other towns in Catalonia have their own local holidays.
Can children attend the correfoc?
Yes, but keep them out of the front rows. The children’s correfoc, held earlier the same day, is designed for them.
