Festivals in Barcelona
Discover the main festivals, celebrations and traditions of Barcelona, municipality of Barcelona, in Catalonia.
Local festivals in Barcelona
La Mercè, Barcelona's city festival, together with the Santa Eulàlia and district festivals, forms the core of the city's festive calendar.
Usual celebration
La Mercè is usually celebrated around 24 September and lasts several days. Plaça de Sant Jaume, Avinguda de la Catedral, Montjuïc, Parc de la Ciutadella and venues in several districts host the opening speech, gegants, castells, correfocs, sardanes, concerts, street arts and the Piromusical. The City Council and Institut de Cultura organise the festival with popular-culture groups, associations, artists, residents and visitors.
Local public holidays in 2026
Barcelona's official calendar declares Monday 25 May, Second Easter, and Thursday 24 September, Mare de Déu de la Mercè, as local public holidays. These are the two local non-working days in 2026; the full duration of La Mercè does not therefore become a non-working period.
Other cultural events
Other events include Santa Eulàlia, celebrated in February with popular culture, while the Gràcia festival and other district festivals bring cercaviles, residents' street decorations, music and community activities to squares and streets for several days.
Sources
- Barcelona City Council: official La Mercè portal
- Barcelona City Council: 2026 labour calendar and local public holidays
- Barcelona City Council: popular culture and traditions
Detailed information on individual celebrations: