La Mercè festival 2024: new stages, folk culture, and Rosalía fireworks show

From September 20 to 24, Barcelona celebrates its iconic La Mercè festival, the city's 'festa major,' with a program of 130 concerts, 54 folks culture performances, and 80 street art shows. 

A bumper program spread over 23 stages and venues in seven different districts of the city awaits Barcelona locals, with Casablanca as the guest city of the festival to add a Moroccan touch.

New locations such as the Olympic Port and Nova Icària beach have been added to the schedule this year as part of the Regatta Cultural linked to the America's Cup sailing competition.

In addition, Parc de la Trinitat is back as a venue for activities, meaning La Mercè will reach all corners of Barcelona again this year.

The festival's traditional fireworks show set to music will return once again, and this year with a special touch from one of Catalonia's greatest ever musicians, Rosalía.

To see the full festival program, check out the La Mercè website here.

Main events, including concerts and the fireworks display, during La Mercè are free.

Music

La Mercè always comes with an extensive musical offering, with different styles to be enjoyed in various venues spread out through the city.

A total of 130 different concerts will be offered for free as part of La Mercè this year over the course of five days.

The Antiga Fàbrica de Estrella Damm will host an eclectic mix of indie, techno, jazz, and DJ sets.

Other venues hosting musical performances over the weekend are Plaça Catalunya, Plaça Reial, Recinto Fabra i Coats, La Rambla del Raval, Teatre Grec, Carrer Menéndez Pelayo, Bogatell Beach, Jardines del Doctor Pla i Armengol, Plaça Sant Jaume, Plaça Major de Nou Barris, and Ciutadella Park.  

Performing arts (MAC)

The performing arts program (MAC) of La Mercè is always one of the most eagerly anticipated parts of Barcelona's 'festa major', always delivering a fantastic lineup of local and international talent. 

Theatre, dancing, circus, visual arts, and more will play out on the streets, squares, and parks of Barcelona up and down the city as part of the street arts segment of La Mercè.  

This year includes 300 performances by 75 different companies, all being performed in 7 venues.

Montjuïc Castle will become the epicenter of contemporary European circus for the festival.

At the Olympic Port, new as a La Mercè venue this year, Cristina Cazorla is putting on family-friendly and large-format shows. The Nova Icària beach will host Teatres de Campanya – Interference 01, by Marc Salicrú, an experimental proposal.

Even more shows will be available throughout the long weekend at the Estació del Nord park, Parc de la Trinitat, Palauet Albéniz, and Parc de l'Aqüeducte de Ciutat Meridiana.

Folk Culture

Folk culture has always been central to La Mercè, with Plaça de Sant Jaume as the epicenter of the most traditional activities.

Traditional Catalan giants, known as 'gegants', will parade through La Rambla and make their way to the Plaça de Sant Jaume square to open festivities.

The 'correfoc' fire run will also return to Passeig de Gràcia on Saturday night with fire, lights, and music, performed by dancing devils and fiery beasts.

The morning and early afternoon of Sunday, September 22, is a fixture not to be missed in Plaça de Sant Jaume, when the 'castellers' human towers crews wow spectators with another festival highlight, and a gem of Catalan culture. The Castellers de Barcelona, ​​Minyons de Terrassa, and Colla Jove dels Xiquets de Tarragona will perform on the day full of excitement.

Rosalía fireworks

One of the most outstanding surprises festival organizers have in store for the public this year will keep us waiting until the last moment.

After last year's successful collaboration with Sónar for the festival-closing musical fireworks show, known as the 'piromusical', the "pyro-musical," this year the curtain closer features none other than Catalan superstar Rosalía.

The singer has selected the music that will accompany the fireworks in the city sky to end the festival, a gift from Rosalía to Barcelona that will be seen on the night of the 24th, just a few hours before she celebrates her 32nd birthday.