La Mercè Opening Ceremony

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Photo by Xavi Torrent courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

With the toc d'inici (opening ceremony), Barcelona dives into La Mercè in all its splendor. When the bells toll seven, the opening speech takes place at  Palau de la Virreina and then the real festival begins with the opening procession. You can follow them from Palau de la Virreina along La Rambla to Carrer Ferran and finally to Plaça de Sant Jaume 

There the city's gegants (giants) alongside those from El Pi and Santa Maria del Mar lead the group with their majestic, choreographed steps. The capgrossos macers (mace-bearing bigheads) and the cavallets cotoners (cotton merchants' hobby horses) fill the Plaça de Sant Jaume with color and laughter, while the city's fantastical bèsties (beats) such as the eagle, the lion, the mulassa (giant mule), the vibria (she-dragon) and the drac (dragon) solemnly parade. The human towers of the Falcons de Barcelona add an impressive touch to the celebrations, while the Ministrils del Camí Ral set the beat with powerful tunes that fill every corner.

Fireworks and tradition come to life with the Perot Rocaguinarda Trabucaires (blunderbuss troupe) and bursts of flame from the diables (devils) will illuminate the streets as the festival gains momentum. La Mercè begins with a burst of life, tradition and joy that fills the city with light and festivities. Let the festival continue!

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.