La Mercè Festival in Barcelona 2025 Overview, Main Events and Program
Page Content
Every year close to the end of September Barcelona holds its largest street party, the Barcelona La Mercè Festival.
 |
| Correfoc - Devils dancing in the streets |
This page will give you the low-down on what is probably the highlight of Barcelona's festival calendar.
 |
| Barcelona Cathedral night illumination during Festes de La Mercè |
Dates for La Mercè 2025
Dates: Event date not yet confirmed
Mercè program schedule of events
La Mercè program of events (PDF)
La Mercè history
 |
| Night parades |
Barcelona La Mercè lasts for around 5 days and is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona.
The festival, which officially first took place in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.
Leave your car!
The streets will be filled with events, parades, fire runs (Correfoc) and people! So it's highly advisable that you don't consider hiring a car if you intend to use it in the city centre during the time of the festival.
There are hundreds of activities that will be occurring in the Mercè Festival this year however there are some "staple events" that are now famous at the festival.
La Mercè Highlights
Here are the details of some of the main events at the festival:
Correfoc - Fire Run
 |
| Correfoc - fire run |
Location: Passeig de Gracia (Carrer del Rosselló - Carrer d'Aragó)
Date: Event date not yet confirmed
Time
Children: 18:00
Adults: 20:30
 |
| Fire-breathing dragon spraying sparkers into the crowd |
If you are going to experience the Correfoc it is highly advisable to take protective clothing because often powerful sparkler fireworks are sprayed into the crowds. People should bring hats, protective glasses and thick long sleeved tops that will protect you from the flying sparklers.
There is normally 2 types of Correfoc on the same evening. One of them is for the children and is a lot more tame than the "adult" Correfoc which happens later on in the evening
The Correfoc event takes place at dusk. The road will be closed off and then opens to "The Devils".
 |
| Correfoc devils |
The Devils are special community groups that dress up as devils and parade the streets during certain festivals in Barcelona. La Mercè is one such event. The devils run up the streets with bangers and handheld fireworks. Lots of bangs and fire is the order of the day. Fire breathing dragons (or at least sparkler-breathing dragons) also roam the streets with Devils skipping along with spiralling fireworks held in their hands.
The "adult" Correfoc takes place after the "junior" Correfoc. The main difference with the adult event is that the crowds are actually sprayed with flames from the sparklers. If you are of a nervous disposition then maybe you should consider standing well back from the Correfoc itself.
 |
| Demon preparing a "fire weapon" |
More information on the pyrotechnics and fireworks display at the La Mercè.
 |
| Castellers: human towers |
Castellers - Human Towers
Location: Plaça de Sant Jaume
Date: Event date not yet confirmed
Time: 12:00 Noon
This event is one of the highlights of the Mercè festival and takes place in Plaça de Jaume. Thousands of people will pack out the square so it is worth arriving early. The aim of the Castellers is to build a human tower and have a young child climb to the top of the tower and stand up. It requires a tremendous amount of planning and teamwork to build a human tower and it is quite an amazing sight to see. See this page for more information on the Castellers in Barcelona.
 |
| The Gigantes - the giants parade is popular with kids |
Gigantes (Giants Parade)
 |
| Giants Parade |
Location: Plaça St Jaume
Date: Event date not yet confirmed
Time: 10:00
The Giants parade is a popular event for the whole family. Huge giants with effigies of kings, queens and nobles march through the streets. These huge figures tower above the crowds and spin around and around so the crowds can see them in all their glory. The Parade is often accompanied by small percussion groups that beat out a rhythm on drums as the Giants go by.
La Mercè will have something for everyone, music, street performances, drama in thousands of venues across the city. Join in the fun with Barcelona's biggest party of the year.
 |
Did you know you can enjoy unlimited travel on public transport for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days? See for free top attractions in Barcelona and get a 10% discount for other attractions which you wish to visit? Barcelona Essentials Pass
|
