Event Dates
From: Thursday, September 23, 2027
To: Monday, September 27, 2027
La Mercè is the annual festival of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It has been an official city holiday since 1871
La Mercè is the annual festival of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It has been an official city holiday since 1871 when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè in Catalan.
- Are you visiting La Mercè? Stay close to all the events at the H10 Madison, and enjoy the historic centre’s celebrations, with a rooftop plunge pool and cathedral views between events.
The Festival
- Next Edition: Thursday, September 23, 2027 – Monday, September 27, 2027
- La Mercè is Barcelona’s annual festa major, celebrating the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy.
- Its program brings together traditional culture, live music, street theatre, circus and large outdoor spectacles.
- The 2027 edition runs for five days, with the local holiday falling on Friday 24th September.
- Arrive on Thursday to enjoy the holiday eve and stay through Monday for the full festival dates.
- Mexico City is the guest city for 2027, taking over from Shanghai. Its contribution to the programme will be announced with the new edition.
- The main municipal festival programme is free -concert lineups, parade routes and fireworks arrangements are awaiting announcement.
- Most of the events occur in the Plaça de Jaume in the Gothic Quarter.
Where to Stay for La Merce
- Cram Hotel – Perfect for evenings in the gay district. A modern interior sits behind an Eixample façade, with a rooftop pool for downtime and a location on Aribau convenient for the surrounding gay bars.
- H10 Metropolitan – A practical choice for mixing neighbourhoods. Close to Plaça de Catalunya, the hotetl has two terraces with plunge pools and puts you between the old town and Eixample, with easy transport connections closeby.
- Hotel El Palace Barcelona – Choose this for a luxury city break: the former Ritz combines grand interiors, a rooftop garden and a Mayan-inspired spa. Its central Eixample setting is close to Passeig de Gràcia’s famous shops and boutiques.
Fireworks and the Piromusical
- Monday 27th September, 2027 – The Piromusical is La Mercè’s closing spectacle, synchronising fireworks with a specially selected soundtrack. It deserves its own place in your festival plans.
- The 2026 finale moved from Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina to Nova Icària beach.
- La Mercè’s International Fireworks Festival is a separate event and features a combination of fireworks and drones.
Gay Barcelona During La Mercè
- Combine the public celebrations with evenings in Gaixample, the gay nightlife area in the Eixample streets around Consell de Cent, Diputació, Muntaner and Casanova.
- Thursday 23rd September is the holiday eve, making it a useful night to plan a late evening out.
- La Mercè is a city festival with a mixed audience.
- Gay club nights have their own programs and admission arrangements.
- The Gay district of Eixample is a 12 minute drive from the Gothic Quarter.
Gay Parties During La Mercè
- Wednesday 22nd September, 2027 – Icónicas at Arena Experience – A weekly Wednesday drag gala celebrating well known performers, paired with pop hits and reggaeton.
- Friday 24th September 2027 – Bananas Gay Party at Safari Disco Club – A Friday-night queer party with pop hits and reggaeton in the main room, plus electrohouse in the second room. Drag hosts, performers and dancers..
- Saturday 25th September, 2027 – YASS! at Safari Disco Club – Saturday LGBTQ+ session with two musical spaces covering pop, urban sounds and house.
- Sunday 26th September, 2027 The Black Room – A regular Sunday gay party at City Hall, with a harder edge, cruising and shirtless boys!
The Correfoc
- Devil groups and fire-bearing beasts fill the streets with drums, sparks and pyrotechnics.
- This is one of the festival’s most intense traditional spectacles.
- The 2026 Correfoc used Passeig de Gràcia and introduced a new Porta de l’Infern, the gateway that opens the fire procession.
- For a first visit, watch from outside the spark-filled procession. If taking part, follow the organiser’s clothing and safety guidance; a hat and glasses alone are not adequate preparation.
- Full schedule to be confirmed.
Human Towers and Giant Parades
- Castellers build multi-tiered human towers, supported by a tightly packed base of teammates. Plaça de Sant Jaume is a traditional setting for the festival’s tower-building displays.
- Arrive before the announced start to find a viewing position. Keep access routes clear and give the teams room to work.
- The gegants and capgrossos are giant figures and oversized heads that parade to traditional music.
- Look for the Cavalcada and other processions in the programme, rather than expecting every appearance in one square.
Concerts and Street Arts
- BAM, Barcelona Acció Musical, and Música Mercè form the festival’s main music strands, with emerging artists and established performers across different outdoor stages.
- Mercè Arts de Carrer brings circus, theatre and other outdoor performances into parks, squares and public spaces. In 2026, the festival reached all ten districts, with Glòries joining the programme and the Fòrum hosting circus.
- Build each day around a few nearby activities. The Gothic Quarter is a useful starting point for traditional celebrations, but the wider festival requires journeys between neighbourhoods.
- Light installations, projections and large productions vary by edition.
Where to stay?
Choose your base around the part of La Mercè you most want to experience. Celebrations stretch across Barcelona, so plan on walking and using the metro between venues.
- Eixample – Best for gay nightlife and late evenings. Choose the Esquerra de l’Eixample around Carrer de Consell de Cent and Carrer de Casanova for easy access to gay bars, restaurants and drinks before the parties.
- Gothic Quarter – Best for traditional celebrations. Staying near the cathedral or Plaça Sant Jaume puts you close to the historic squares associated with La Mercè’s giants, processions and human towers.
- Poblenou – Best for combining the festival with beach time. Choose accommodation near an L4 metro station for trips into the old town, or towards Bogatell beach for easier waterfront access. Check the final programme before choosing a hotel around a fireworks location.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Hotel El Palace Barcelona
is our preferred hotel in the city.
For further information and advice on
La Mercè Festival, Barcelona Website
The gay district of Barcelona is located in the city’s Eixample district, known locally as “Gaixample”. Here you will find most of the gay bars, clubs and restaurants. It is quite compact and easy to navigate. There are also lots of hotels and apartments available in this area.
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 651, 08010 Barcelona
Address: Gran Vía de las Cortes Catalanas 559, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Bergara, 11, 08002 Barcelona
Address: Carrer d’Aribau 54, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer d’Aribau 33, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Casanova 64, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C/ del Parlament, 12, L'Eixample, 08015 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Balmes, 56, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C/ de la Diputació, 203, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de la Diputació, 167, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Calàbria, 96, 08015 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de la Diputació, 174, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 586, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C. del Consell de Cent, 257, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C/ de Montserrat, 9, 08001 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Villarroel 86, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ Consell de Cent 275, 08011 Barcelona (Eixample)
Address: Carrer d'Aribau, 40, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 73, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ d'Aribau, 46, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer de les Carretes, 57, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 67, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ de Salvà, 3, 08004 Barcelona
Address: C/ del Consell de Cent, 245 bis, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 34, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: 104, Avinguda del Paral·lel, Superilla Sant Antoni, Eixample,
Address: Rambla del Raval, 22, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer d'Aribau, 55, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 11, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ d'Elkano, 69, Sants-Montjuïc, 08004 Barcelona
Address: C/ de Sepúlveda, 178, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de la Diputació, 161, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C. de Balmes, 52, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C. del Consell de Cent, 273, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 65, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer d’Aribau 33, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C. de Villarroel, 68, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Av. de Roma, 155, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C. de Villarroel, 60, 08011 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ de Muntaner, 34 Bis, L'Eixample, 08011 Barcelona
Address: C/ del Consell de Cent, 319, L'Eixample, 08007 Barcelona
Address: 19-21, Ronda de Sant Pere, la Dreta de l'Eixample, la Salut,
Address: Passatge de Prunera, 18, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
Address: Carrer de la Diputació 233, 08007 Barcelona (Eixample)
rel="noopener">Website
Address: Carrer De La Diputació 182, 08011 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ d'Aragó, 130, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ d'Aragó, 130, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Address: C/ de Lluís el Piadós, 4, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
Address:Carrer de Tarragona, 141, Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona
Address: Carrer de Calàbria, 91, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
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We have chosen hotels in Barcelona that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Higlights of La Mercè
Barcelona is known for its diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and there are several popular gay neighbourhoods that offer exciting experiences. Here are five of the most well-known gay neighbourhoods, each with its own unique charm and attractions
Raval has a bohemian atmosphere with an alternative gay scene and is home to Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
The gothic quarter offers a mix of historic charm, trendy shops, and an inclusive atmosphere in the heart of the city.

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