The summer season is slowly coming to an end… but not until September ends! If you will be in Barcelona this weekend, be prepared to enjoy city’s activities. La Mercè is the annual festival of the city of Barcelona. The actual holiday is September 24th which is when the main festivities take place, but the festival lasts several days
The city organizes a program of special activities to celebrate the fest day of Our Lady of Mercy, Mare de Déu de la Mercè. Events, concerts and lots of entertainment to be busy the whole day.
Some of the most important features of the festival include gegants, correfocs, castellers and a pyro-musical: fireworks, water fountains and music all together that takes place at Montjuïc Mountain.
- Fireworks at Montjuïc
What you can’t miss
Gegants
Huge figures of kings, queens and other nobles march through the streets accompanied by percussion groups. This is one of the important part of the festival and a good place to get a look at this parade is Plaza Sant Jaume.
- Gegants in La Mercè
Correfoc
Literally translated the “fire race” the correfoc is a parade of devils, dragons and other fire-spitting creatures that takes place on Via Laietana. While somewhat dangerous, it is recommended that festival goers wear something to protect themselves from the sparks that fly through the air. There is also a kids’ version and a more adult version of this parade! So the whole family can enjoy it.
Castellers
A huge highlight of the festival are the Castellers. Plaza Sant Jaume will be packed for this event, in which different teams create building human towers. The aim is to have a child climb to the top of the tower and stand up. This practice requires a lot of team work and everyone participating has his/her specific role in building the tower as high and stable as possible.
- Castellers, human towers
La Mercè is a festival where culture, art and music welcome the fall season. And you don’t want to miss it!
You can find all the information here.
