La Mercè Festival is a farewell to summer in Barcelona. Folk festivities last about 5 days and include a number of colorful performances.

Usually the festival is held at the end of September (timed to coincide with the end of the beach season and the arrival of autumn). The official start date of the festival is September 24. However, festivities begin a few days before.

La Merce was first officially celebrated in 1871 (La Merce is the patron saint of Barcelona).

Parade of giants in Barcelona

Today the holiday includes: a parade of giant dolls – giants (Gigantes), competitions in the construction of human towers (Castellers) and a night fire show (Correfoc).

Correfoc takes place in the area of Via Laietana at nightfall. Special groups of people “devils” run along the street and light giant fireworks, throw firecrackers, shower tourists with sparks and fire. If you decide to come to this event, be sure to take fire-resistant closed clothing and glasses with you if you do not want to get burned.

Castellers takes place during the day at Plaça de Sant Jaume in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Groups of people (teams) build giant living towers. The one whose tower is the tallest will win.

Gigantes also takes place in the area of Plaça de Sant Jaume. Giant dolls of giants representing kings, queens and court nobility parade through the city to the sound of drums.

At night in the Plaça de Sant Jaume during the festival, you can watch a grand video projection show every day, when the image is projected onto the walls of buildings. Viewing the show, like all other events, is free.