Event Dates
From: Friday, September 22, 2023
To: Monday, September 25, 2023
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, with spacious rooms and a sublime rooftop pool.
The Party
- Barcelona La Mercè lasts for around five days and bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.
- La Mercè is a local holiday in Barcelona observed on September 24th each year. The festival itself is a four-day event featuring more than 500 activities, shows and cultural events.
- Most of the events occur in the Plaça de Jaume in the Gothic Quarter.
Event Highlights
- The streets of Barcelona are transformed with events, parades, fire runs (Correfoc) and thousands of people. The most traditional activities of the Mercè Festival are, in fact, a compendium of popular culture from all over Catalonia. Here are the most popular:
The Correfoc
- Fire Run. Join the beasts and run during the fire along Via Laietana from 8 pm.
- Visitors dance under sparkling fireworks as a parade of Devils wreak havoc on the city streets. If you intend to dance in the fire parade, make sure you wear a hat and some glasses for protection.
Castellers
- Watch the human towers on Plaça de Sant Jaume from 11am.
- The Human Tower event is one of the festival highlights. Arrive early as it attracts thousands of visitors. The Castellers aim to build a human tower. Once the tower is complete, the group’s youngest member, typically a small child, will climb to the top of the tower and stand, raising their hand as the crowd cheers in appreciation. Human towers require a lot of planning and teamwork, and the result is quite a sight. Highly recommended.
Gigantes
- The Giant Parade on Plaça de Sant Jaume from 11am.
- Ten-foot giants with effigies of kings, queens and nobles march through Barcelona. The giants spin and dance to traditional music played by the accompanying marching bands.
Light Projection Show
- One of the most memorable events during La Mercè is the Light Projection show, as the buildings of Plaça St Jaume are light up with specially commissioned projected images. The show takes place each evening.
Gay Celebrations
- The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and the gay bars are full each night.
- Many of the club nights will host special parties on the 23rd of September, as the following day is a public holiday.
- The Gay district of Eixample is a 12 minute drive from the Gothic Quarter.
Where to stay?
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
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.
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Barcelona that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Hotel El Palace Barcelona is located in Eixample District, close to the Ramblas, the main shopping area and Barcelona’s main tourist attractions. It offers a Mayan-style luxury spa. A limousine service with a chauffeur is available on request. Stylish air-conditioned rooms with classic decor, satellite TV, desk, minibar and a private bathroom
Featuring a rooftop terrace with a bar and chill-out pool, H10 Metropolitan is located in Barcelona, 90 m from Plaça Catalunya. It offers a tapas restaurant and free WiFi. Each room has a flat-screen satellite TV, air conditioning, coffee machine and a minibar. The private bathroom comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes.
Hotel Catalonia Plaza Cataluña offers an outdoor pool and stylish, air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and satellite TV. It is housed in a Modernist building 50 m from Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya. The hotel serves a continental buffet breakfast with show cooking and it includes a wide variety of regional products and home-made cakes.
The Cram Hotel is located in a building that dates back to 1892 and features a modernist façade, and a modern, elegant interior. Rooms boast advanced lighting and access control technology. The air-conditioned rooms a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Rooms feature beds by Treca de Paris, and elegant curtains by Gastón y Daniela.
Higlights of La Mercè
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Barcelona that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
A restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a poolside bar, and a snack bar/deli are onsite. All 255 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and 24-hour room service
A restaurant, a 24-hour fitness center, and a bar/lounge are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace, coffee/tea in a common area, and spa services. All 211 soundproofed rooms feature WiFi & pillowtop beds
A full-service spa, a restaurant, and a fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a poolside bar, and a coffee shop/café are onsite. All 275 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and 24-hour room service.
Along with a 24-hour fitness center, this smoke-free hotel has a bar/lounge and a poolside bar. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace, a 24-hour business center, and self parking. All 126 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and minibars.