This annual event celebrates the Patron Saint of Barcelona, Our Lady of Mercy (La Mare de Déu de la Mercè), and is one of the most significant festivals that takes place in the city.

The festival typically lasts a number of days, with the most important day – the feast day – being on 24 September. This year, La Mercè runs from September 22 to September 25.

Here are some of the key features and highlights to watch out for.

Street Performances

One of the defining characteristics of La Mercè is its emphasis on street arts and performances. Throughout the festival, the streets of Barcelona come alive with street theatre, dance performances, acrobatics, and music. These performances often take place in various squares and public spaces throughout the city.

Castells

One of the most iconic traditions of the festival is the castells – human towers built by groups of people, often with hundreds of participants. These impressive structures are a UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition and a symbol of Catalan identity.

Concerts

La Mercè features a wide range of musical performances, from traditional Catalan music to contemporary pop and rock concerts. These concerts are often held in various venues across the city, including the famous Plaça de Catalunya.

Fireworks

The festival typically culminates with a spectacular fireworks display on the night of September 24th, the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy. The fireworks show is a breathtaking sight over the Barcelona skyline.

Correfoc

This is a spectacular and fiery event where participants dressed as demons and dragons parade through the streets, spraying sparks and fireworks into the crowd. It’s an exhilarating and visually stunning experience.

The giants

Giant puppets and big-headed figures, known as gegants and capgrossos, are a common sight during La Mercè. These figures are often paraded through the streets in colorful and lively processions.

Traditional Catalan Culture

The festival is an excellent opportunity to experience Catalan traditions, including traditional dances, music, and regional cuisine.

Art Installations

Various art installations and exhibitions are set up across the city, allowing festival-goers to explore different forms of artistic expression.

Educational and Family-Friendly Activities

La Mercè also offers a wide range of family-friendly activities, workshops, and exhibitions designed to engage people of all ages.

Where to find out more about what’s going on

The specific events and activities that take place during La Mercè vary from year-to-year, so you will probably want to consult the official programme for further details.

The post La Mercè: Barcelona’s most vibrant cultural festival appeared first on Barcelona.

During the Festa Major de Gràcia, the streets of the Gràcia district are adorned with elaborate and creative decorations. Each street competes to create the most visually stunning and imaginative decoration based on a specific theme. These decorations often include recycled materials, handmade crafts, and various artistic elements. The competition fosters a sense of community and friendly rivalry among the residents.

The festival also features a wide range of activities, including live music performances, traditional Catalan dances, cultural exhibitions, workshops, parades, and various contests. You can find a variety of food stalls offering local cuisine, and there’s often a festive and joyful atmosphere throughout the neighborhood.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Correfoc, a fire run where participants dress up as demons and creatures from Catalan folklore, carrying torches and fireworks, creating a spectacular display of light and sound. Another notable event is the Castells, where human towers are built in a competition of strength, teamwork, and balance.

The Gràcia festival takes place between August 15 and August 21. To get to Gràcia you can take the metro to Fontana. This metro stop will land you right at the heart of Gràcia and from there you can start exploring.

Festa de Gracia app

Don’t forget to download the festa de Gracia app for your smart tone before you start exploring the streets. It’s really well done and provides you with a walkable map of the streets that are decorated. It also offers 360-degree images of street displays from previous years.

You can also use the app to vote from your favourite street!

The post Gràcia’s street festival: August 15-21 appeared first on Barcelona.