Celebrated this year from September 22 to 25, the La Mercè festival program is packed with things to do and see. The streets will be filled with fire-breathing dragons, capgrossos (big heads), esbarts (traditional dance groups), bastoners (stick dancers), trabucaires (ancient armed bandits) and gegants (giants). The central parade, la calvacada de la Mercè on September 24th is a spectacle for the whole family. Effigies of kings, queens and other courtly figures spin and dance through the streets, towering above the crowds. Measuring up to four meters high, the gegants parade is a sight not to be missed. Then, you can set your sights even higher as the castellers build their dizzyingly tall human towers up to 10 levels high!
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). Check out our interactive map above with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free. You should note that because these visits are so popular, a number of locations either require or recommend that you reserve your ticket in advance so you're not left waiting in long lines or get stuck without a ticket.
Open Doors for La Mercè
- Arts Santa Mònica September 22-25, 2023, 11:00-20:30.
- Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona September 24, 2023, 10:00-14:00.
- Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Biblioteca Pública Arús September 22, 2023, 11:00-14:30.
- Born Centre Cultural September 24-25, 2023, 10:00-19:00.
- CaixaForum September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Can Framis September 24, 2023, 11:00-14:00.
- Castell de Montjuïc September 24-25, 2023, 10:00-20:00. Attendance is limited so advance registration is suggested.
- Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) September 24, 2023, 11:00-20:00. Tickets must be reserved at least four days in advance.
- CosmoCaixa September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Espai Bombers September 23-25, 2023. Advance registration is required.
- Espais Volart September 24, 2023, 11:00-14:00.
- Fundació Antoni Tàpies September 24, 2023, 10:00-15:00.
- Fundació Joan Miró September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00. Advance registration is required.
- Fundació Julio Muñoz Ramonet, September 23-24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Jardí Botànic September 24, 2023, 10:00-19:00.
- L'Auditori September 24-25, 2023, 10:00-19:00.
- La Virreina Centre de la Imatge September 16-25, 2023, 11:00-20:00.
- Monestir de Pedralbes September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- MUHBA Museu d'Història de Barcelona El Call September 24, 2023, 11:00-15:00, 16:00-19:00.
- MUHBA Oliva Artés September 24, 2023, 10:00-15:00, 16:00-20:00.
- MUHBA Temple d’August September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00, September 25, 2023, 10:00-19:00.
- MUHBA Turó de la Rovira September 24, 2023, 16:00-19:00.
- Museu d’Arqueologia September 24, 2023, 10:00-14:30.
- Museu d’Història de Catalunya September 24, 2023, 10:00-19:00, September 25, 2023, 10:00-14:30.
- Museu de Carrosses Fúnebres September 24, 2023, 10:00-14:00.
- Museu de Ciències Naturals September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Museu del Disseny September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Museu Etnològic i Cultures del món (c. Montcada) September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Museu Etnològic i Cultures del món (Montjuïc) September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Museu Frederic Marès September 24-25, 2023, 11:00-20:00.
- Museu Marítim de Barcelona September 24-25, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) September 24, 2023, 10:00-14:30. Attendance is limited so advance registration is suggested.
- Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch September 24, 2023, 10:00-14:30.
- Museu Picasso September 24, 2023, 9:00-20:00. Advance registration is required.
- Palau Güell September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00. Attendance is limited so advance registration is suggested.
- Palauet Albéniz de Montjuïc September 23-25, 2023, 11:00-19:30.
- Pavelló Mies van der Rohe September 24, 2023, 10:00-20:00.
- Poble Espanyol September 24-25, 2023. Attendance is limited so advance registration is suggested.
- Sagrada Família September 22, 23, 24, 2023, 14:00-20:00, Advance registration is required.
Discounted Tickets
- Mirador Torre Glòries September 23-25, 2023. Tickets are half price and must be purchased in advance.
- Barcelona Aquàrium September 23-25, 2023, 10:00-20:00. There is a €4 discount on adult and children’s tickets if you mention the “Promoció Mercè.”
For other ideas about how to celebrate La Mercè check out our article Celebrating La Mercè.