As every year, at the end of September, Barcelona bids farewell to summer with its grand annual festival: La Mercè. The celebration pays tribute to Mare de Déu de La Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona since 1687. In 2025, La Mercè will be celebrated from September 23 to 28, filling the city with culture, music and tradition.
Fun facts about La Mercè
One little-known fact is that for many years, La Mercè was not Barcelona’s only patron saint. Until the 19th century, the city’s main patron was Saint Eulàlia, a young martyr from the 4th century.
Today, both share the patronage, but while the February festivities in honor of Saint Eulàlia are more traditional and intimate, La Mercè has become the city’s great popular celebration.
Moreover, the celebrations of La Mercè as we know them today didn’t begin until the late 19th century, when elements such as castells and correfocs were introduced. Before that, La Mercè was primarily a religious event, focused on solemn masses, processions and liturgical ceremonies in honor of the Virgin.
Manchester, guest city at La Mercè 2025
As every year, Barcelona welcomes a guest city to celebrate La Mercè. In 2025, Manchester arrives in the Catalan capital with all its creative energy and its iconic bees, the symbol of the city.
During the festival, you’ll spot the Giant Bee and the Beast Bee at the Parade and the correfoc, the result of a collaboration between local artisans and the Global Grooves project.
La Mercè Festival 2025 activities
Barcelona’s La Mercè Festival offers nearly 500 activities for all tastes: from the shows of the Mercè Arts de Carrer festival, to popular culture displays featuring gegants, castells and correfocs, all the way to the BAM and Música Mercè concerts, not to mention the spectacular pyromusical show that brings the festival to a close.
The full official program will be available very soon on the Barcelona City Council website, where you can also download the official app to check schedules, maps and real-time events.
Accommodation for La Mercè Festival 2025
If you’re looking for accommodation in Barcelona for La Mercè 2025, MH Apartments offers a variety of tourist apartments right in the heart of the city.
Don’t miss the chance to stroll through Barcelona’s streets and immerse yourself in its people and culture, book your stay now!
