A list of the events.........

The Roots of Barcelona

The ancient processions through the city were full of magical figures with a strong symbolic significance: the dragon, the image of the devil; the giants, a representation of the heroes and historical figures; the eagle, the symbol of political power. All these figures have lasted in one form or another, and are still paraded in the Festival as the true myths of Barcelona.

We recommend:
Thursday 22nd / 19.45
Plaça de Sant Jaume (Metro Line 4, Jaume I / Line 3, Liceu)
Toc d’inici (The first note)
Ceremonial dances for the start of the Festival. The music is performed by a group playing early musical instruments which only meets once a year, for La Mercè.

Friday 23rd / 20.30
Avinguda de la Catedral (Metro Line 4, Jaume I / Line 3, Liceu)
Correfoc (Fire Run)
An enormous adrenalin surge: devils burst into the city and chase everyone around with fiery torches. It is important to ensure that your whole body is covered in cotton clothing and young children should not be allowed to run in the front rows as they may be frightened by the bangers.

Thursday 22nd / 22.30
Plaça Reial (Metro Line 3, Liceu)
Dragons and Giants
The giants and fire beasts meet in the Plaça Reial, next to the Rambla, in a peaceful procession to lively musical accompaniment.

Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th / 12 midday
Plaça de Sant Jaume (Metro Line 4, Jaume I / Line 3, Liceu)
Castells (Castles)
One of the best-known Catalan traditions in the world: the “castells” are human castles which can reach up to 10 storeys tall. An exuberant display of strength, equilibrium and teamwork.

Friday 24th / 18.00
From Plaça de Catalunya to the Avinguda de la Catedral (Metro Line 3, Catalunya or Liceu)

Cavalcada de la Mercè (La Mercè Parade)
This is the biggest street parade in the whole of La Mercè Festival, with giants from different points of Catalonia. In addition, in order to commemorate the fourth centenary of Don Quixote, this year there will be images of the good knight of La Mancha from all over Spain.


Exhibitions of Popular Culture
When they are not parading, the dragons, giants and other creatures will be resting in different spaces where they can be seen close up to discover their remarkable history.
19th to 23rd, City Hall (Plaça de Sant Jaume): dragons and fire beasts
19th to 23rd, Pati Manning (Montalegre, 7): giants
19th to 25th, Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla, 99): popular procession of Barcelona

22nd to 24th, Barceloneta beach (Metro Line 4, Barceloneta)
Sunday 25th, Avinguda Reina Maria Cristina (Metro Line 3, Espanya)
Fireworks

Each night a different firework display company will present its show. The guests this year are Xaravia (Galicia), Promo 3 (Brazil) and Sas (France). On the last night, to close La Mercè Festival, there will be a special treat: the closing Musical Fireworks show which combines water, light and melodies.




Street Shows

Because of its distinctly Mediterranean character, Barcelona is very prone to holding its celebrations in the open air. So during La Mercè, the great tradition of street art groups is more evident than ever.

Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th / All Day
Ciutadella Park (Metro Line 1, Arc de Triomf / Line 4, Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica)

The Great Ciutadella Circus
An ancient military stronghold, the Citadel was demolished to make way for the city’s first large park. During La Mercè, this public space becomes a huge circus accommodating some of the biggest circus companies in Catalonia, accompanied by international guests. You can also find activities for children there.

Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th / All Day
Santa Caterina Market area (Metro Line 4, Jaume I)
Street Artists’ Festival
Accompany Barcelona in an historic moment: the official opening of Santa Caterina market – a colourful example of new Barcelona architecture. To celebrate the event, dozens of street artists from around the world will meet close to the façade to offer us all kinds of entertainment: comedy, circus, acrobatics, juggling, etc.

Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th / 22.30 - 1.00
La Rambla (Metro Line 3, Catalunya, Liceu or Drassanes)
Mercè Bandstand
A series of itinerant music shows which will fill with fun the streets they pass through. The best alternative to regular music concerts.





100 Concerts

From electronic music to traditional melodies. The live concerts in La Mercè cannot be pigeonholed in any one musical style. Everyone will find the soundtrack for their life.


Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th / Nights
BAM Independent Music Festival
More than a decade ago, the BAM (Barcelona Acción Musical) became a reference point for the country’s independent music scene. Today, it continues to be faithful to its founding principles, offering high quality musicians with independent criteria. The event includes some fifty concerts in all, the highlights being:

Thursday 22
22.15 Sébastien Schuller (France, pop). Pl. de Joan Coromines
22.45 Iness Mezel (Algeria/France, jazz + Amazigh music). Rambla del Raval
00.00 Shukar Collective (Romania, electro-gypsy). Av. de la Catedral
02.00 The Sunday Drivers (Spain, pop). Forum Park

Friday 23
23.45 Ben Lee (USA, pop). Pl. de Joan Coromines
21.30 Brazzaville (Catalonia, pop). Pl. de Catalunya
00.30 Saul Williams (USA, hip-hop). Forum Park
00.45 Panico (Chile, electro-latin rock). Forum Park
03.30 Craig Richards (UK, electronic). Forum Park

Saturday 24
22.45 h Daby Touré (Mauritania, afro-pop). Rambla del Raval (my area!)
23.45 h Tahiti 80 (France, pop). Pl. de Joan Coromines
00.00 h Duquende (Catalonia, flamenco). Av. de la Catedral
00.45 h Raw-T (UK, garage and hip-hop). Forum Park

FESTIVAL DANCES
The essence of the festival nights is experienced on the Plaça Reial. There, you will find the most popular orchestras and lots of people ready to dance to all the well-known rhythms in the open air, before the nights gets colder.


22nd, 23rd and 24th / 22.00 Portal de la Pau, next to the Columbus statue (Metro Line 3, Drassanes)
Habaneras and Rumba
Where the Rambla meets the port you can find sea songs and hot rhythms every night. It’s also a great place to see the firework displays.

Saturday 24th / 21.00
Plaça de Sant Jaume
Carillon Concert
Fairytale music. If when you’re walking through the Plaça de Sant Jaume you hear the bells chiming to a jazz beat – its La Mercè Carillon Concert.






Aeronautical and Space Week

From 23rd September to 3rd October Barcelona will show its aeronautical face. During these days the traditional air show will take place as well as professional meetings, activities in homage to Jules Verne…


Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th / Beaches (Metro Line 4)
1st and 2nd October / Plaça del Fòrum (Line 4, Maresme-Fòrum)
Festival of the Sky
A meeting of hot air balloons, kites and varied exhibitions at one of the places of which the city is proudest – its beaches:

- Motorised hang glider exhibitions: Friday 23 (18.00 to 20.00) and Sunday 25 (11.00 to 13.00). Platja de Sant Sebastià (Line 4, metro stop Barceloneta)
- International Kite Festival. Friday 23 (10.00 to 20.00) and Saturday 24 (10.00 to 15.00). Platja de Sant Sebastià
- Static hot air balloon flights: Friday 23 (19.00 to 23.00), Saturday 24 (10.00 to 13.00 and 19.00 to 23.00) and Sunday 25 (10.00 to 13.00). Moll de Marina (Near the Olympic Port)

Balloon flights: Sunday 25 (18.00). Platja de Sant Sebastià


2nd October/ Plaça del Fòrum (Line 4, Maresme-Fòrum)
Air Festival
The biggest festival of its kind in Spain. It will include air acrobatic displays and also the participation of the biggest passenger aircraft in the world: the Airbus A380.

29 September to 2 October
AIR AND SPACE SHOW IN BARCELONA
A great event for professionals and the general public alike. The Air Show includes exhibitions, conferences and a set of games and shows in homage to Jules Verne.