La Mercè 2017, how to enjoy the Festa Major of Barcelona

If you scroll down you’ll find the main events of La Mercè 2017 so that you can fully enjoy the Festa Major of Barcelona

La Mercè 2017 spreads all around the city… literally. The Festa Major of the city, which will be held from 22 to 25 September, will bring this year the celebrations to more neighbourhoods than ever to become one of the most intense and participative festivities in the history.

Four days full of concerts, fireworks, popular meals, casteller shows, correfocs and much more in a program that brings together tradition, culture, entertainment and a lot of festivities.

So that you can fully enjoy La Mercè like a local, we offer you a guide with the main events of a festival that this year will have Reykjavík as a guest city.

Main events of La Mercè 2017

Music for every taste

Music is one of the main attractions of La Mercè. The two music festivals of the Festa Major: BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) and Mercè Música, will include a wide catalogue of free concerts by renowned national and international artists.

Rumba on the beach with Mercè Música

Bogatell beach, Parc del Fórum and Moll de Fusta will be the epicenters of the festival Mercè Música, that has chosen this year rumba as main genre in a festive and varied programme.

Among the main artists are Manel, Txarango, Mishima, Sopa de Cabra or the legendary Los Manolos, who will play some of the songs that made the whole world dance during the celebration of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 92.

Indie’ sounds in the BAM

For its part, BAM will bring together 45 pop, rock, hip hop and electronic music groups in the Raval neighbourhood, including Shanique Marie, Bala, the trío de Corea del Sur Idiotape, Bejo, Ray BLK or the Jamaican Equiknoxx Feat.

On Sunday night, Reykjavíkvik’s music will invade the stages of Plaça dels Àngels and Joan Coromines along with JFDR, Samaris, Reyjavíkurdaetur, Kiasmos, Emmsjé Gauti, Olöf Arnalds, Glowie and Grísalappalísa.

The avenida de la Catedral and avenida Reina María Cristina are 2 out of the 12 stages that will host concerts of around 130 groups and soloists, in an eclectic proposal that will suite all tastes.

Tradition and modernity in La Mercè

The dissemination of the Catalan culture is another of Mercè’s fundamental pillars. An exhibition of dragons and beasts of fire, the shows of castellers (human towers) , correfocs, gegants, sardanes or trabucaires combine art and tradition and represent an ideal opportunity to know the true essence of the city and its inhabitants.

Linking past and future, La Mercè 2017 once again bets on innovation and new technologies through screenings and audiovisual shows in emblematic buildings of the city.

Theatre and circus in the streets

Mercè Arts de Carrer (MAC) has an artistic proposal that includes street theatre, dance, circus, charangas and travelling shows (small musical band). Parc de Sant Martí, Parc de la Ciutadella, Passeig de Lluís Companys, Palacete Albéniz or the Montjuïc castle are some of the main stages of the festival MAC, whose shows are spread practically all over the city. In addition, this year the Plaza Real (very close to the Hotel Arc la Rambla) will have a stage, where habaneras concerts (Catalan version of the contradanse) will be held.

Open days in museums and historic buildings

Some of the most important buildings and cultural centres join the festival with open days. The City Council of Barcelona, the Palau de la Generalitat and museums such as the Picasso Musseum, the Museu Nacional d’ Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the CCCB and the Museu Marítim are some of the buildings that can be visited free of charge during La Mercè on different days and times.

Fireworks as the culmination of La Mercè

Fire is a very present element in La Mercè with the spectacular correfocs (one of the main symbols of the Catalan tradition) and the International Pyrotechnic Festival, which will flood the sky of Barcelona with light and beauty. In addition, as in each edition, the Piromusical will close the celebrations in one of the most emotional moments of the festival. This massive event will begin this year with a minute of silence in tribute to the victims of the Barcelona and Cambrills attacks. Then the song Imagine, by John Lennon, will be played as the audience waves flares that will bring colour to María Cristina Avenue. Simultaneously, the symbol of peace will be projected on the MNAC  façade. The 25th anniversary of the Olympic Games will also be remembered, the first manifestation for LGTB rights and the composer Enric Granados. Check here the complete programme of La Mercè 2017  and don’t hesitate to ask our staff if you have any doubt!