Cavalcada de La Mercè 2026

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Photo by Víctor Parreño Vidiella courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

Barcelona has a long tradition of all sorts of solemn and festive processions, offering authentic itinerant displays like the cavalcada de la Mercè: the procession for the city’s festa major.

Gegants (giant figures) provide the central theme for this festive parade. The procession starts at Carrer de Fontanella, goes along Via Laietana to Plaça de l’Àngel then Carrer de Jaume I arriving at Plaça de Sant Jaume. The parade is finished off with a dance performance from some of its most symbolic and spectacular giants and beasts.

What to Do for La Mercè

Celebrated in the days surrounding September 24th, the La Mercè festival program is packed with things to do and see. From parades and exhibits filled with gegants, capgrossos (bigheads) and fire-breathing beasts to giant castells (human towers), traditional dances, correfocs (fire runs), drone light shows, fireworks displays and free concerts, you're sure to find something to delight and amaze you.

But if all the festivities of La Mercè get to be a bit too much, why not take a culture break? Many of the city’s museums observe the holiday with a jornada de portes obertes (open doors). To make the most of your time, take a look at our interactive map with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free: Map of Barcelona Museums with Free Entry for La Mercè.

See our Guide to La Mercè for a list of the festival's events and discover the story behind one of the biggest celebrations on Barcelona's calendar and the many traditions that make this beloved Catalan holiday so special.

For more events during the Festes de la Mercè check our online events calendar.