Lorraine Williamson
Every September, Barcelona erupts in a riot of sound, light, and tradition for La Mercè, the city’s annual celebration of its patron saint, the Virgin of Mercy. In 2025, the festivities run from 23 to 28 September, with the main holiday on 24 September, transforming the Catalan capital into a stage of free concerts, dazzling parades, and centuries-old rituals.
La Mercè attracts more than a million visitors each year, blending medieval legend with modern creativity. What began as a religious feast now stands as one of Europe’s most vibrant urban festivals.
A legend that shaped a city
La Mercè’s roots stretch back to 1218, when the Virgin of Mercy is said to have appeared to King Jaume I, urging the creation of an order to free Christian captives. Centuries later, during a devastating locust plague in 1687, Barcelonans prayed to the Virgin for protection. When the plague lifted, she was declared the city’s patroness, a status confirmed by the Pope in 1868.
By 1902, the festival had evolved into a civic celebration, introducing the castells (human towers), parades of giant figures, and the elegant sardana dance. Though suppressed during Franco’s dictatorship, La Mercè roared back with the return of democracy, becoming a proud showcase of Catalan identity and artistic innovation.
2025 programme: 500 events across the city
The 2025 edition promises more than 500 free activities across 14 venues and 16 open-air stages. Music spans activist punk to experimental electronica, with headline acts including Pussy Riot, Rigoberta Bandini, Ladilla Rusa, Niño de Elche, Maria Arnal, Beret and Vicco.
This year, Manchester joins as guest city, bringing fresh energy from the UK’s cultural powerhouse. Expect genre-bending performances from Children of Zeus, Space Afrika, Honeyfeet and Porij, plus new festival characters such as Giganta Bee and Bestia Bee, created especially for Barcelona’s parades.
Day-to-day highlights
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24 September: Morning procession from the Cathedral to Plaça de Sant Jaume, castells in the square, and evening Cavalcada de la Mercè parade.
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Correfoc (Fire Run): Devils and fire-breathing dragons race through the streets with sparklers and fireworks, creating one of the festival’s most thrilling spectacles.
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Piromusical: A grand finale of music-synchronised fireworks on Barceloneta beach.
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Cursa de la Mercè: The annual city race unveils a new, more dramatic route.
Barcelona’s political leaders were also among the crowds celebrating. Junts Vice President, Josep Rius captured the mood on X, sharing a photo from the day’s events with the message: “Hem viscut la màgia del seguici de la festa major i hem gaudit d’una jornada castellera extraordinària. La cultura i les tradicions nacionals són ben vives i també vibren a la capital de Catalunya. Bona Mercè a tots!”
Roughly translated, Rius wrote that the city had “experienced the magic of the festival’s procession and enjoyed an extraordinary day of human towers,” adding that “national culture and traditions are very much alive and thriving in the Catalan capital.” His words, and the accompanying image of soaring castells against the city skyline, capture the essence of La Mercè—a celebration where Catalan identity and community spirit remain vibrantly alive.
Moving around the city
Key areas such as Avinguda de Maria Cristina, Moll de la Fusta, Plaça Catalunya, and Bogatell will see traffic restrictions, while metro services run through the night to keep the crowds moving.
Fiestas, ferias, and celebrations in Spain 2025
More than a party
La Mercè is not just a festival but a statement of Barcelona’s identity. It preserves Catalan traditions, inspires citizen participation, and draws international visitors who return year after year for the city’s unique mix of history and creativity.
In 2025, expect an unforgettable week where fire meets music and ancient rituals meet cutting-edge art—all against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most charismatic cities.
Source: ABC