Barcelona is getting ready to experience its main festival with more intensity than ever. Streets full of music, centuries-old traditions and free cultural events make September the ideal month to discover the city. And there is no better starting point than staying in Las Ramblas, the centre of the Catalan capital.
What is La Mercè and when is it celebrated?
History, dates and spirit of Barcelona's main festival
La Mercè is Barcelona's main festival, an event that fills the city with music, culture and tradition every September. It is held in honour of the Mare de Déu de la Mercè, patron saint of the city, and turns the streets into a huge open stage. In 2025, La Mercè will take place from the 23rd to 28th Septemberwith a programme that combines free concerts, street performances and activities for all audiences. We already know the details of this new edition, and we know that Emma VilarasauSpanish actress known for her extensive career in theatre, film and television, including productions such as "Nissaga de poder", "Ventdelplà", "Los sin nombre" and more recently the film "Casa en llamas" (for which she won the Gaudí Award and was nominated for the Goya for Best Actress in a Leading Role) will be the this year's town crier and the guest city will be Manchesterwith a strong cultural presence.
Programme of La Mercè 2025: what you can't miss
From Las Ramblas, the nerve centre of Barcelona life, you can easily reach the main venues of the Mercè 2025 festival: Parc de la Ciutadella, Passeig de Gràcia, Plaça de Catalunya and Montjuïc. Staying in this area means being just a few minutes away from the parades of giants, the mapping projections on the façade of the City Hall and the concerts that fill the city with rhythm. You can consult the official programme here.
Free music very close to the hotel
Concerts in Passeig de Gràcia, Ciutadella and Montjuïc
La Mercè is also synonymous with free open-air music. In 2025 there will be more than 100 free concerts on 16 stages all over the city. The most emblematic are Parc de la Ciutadella, where emerging and familiar sounds mix; Passeig de Gràcia, which is filled with pop and electronic music; and Montjuïc, with more alternative proposals. Other highlights include Platja del Bogatell and the Teatre Grec.
Rigoberta Bandini, Pussy Riot and more
In 2025, the line-up for La Mercè includes names such as Rigoberta Bandiniwith their mix of pop and electronica; the Russian collective Pussy Rioticon of protest and feminist music; as well as Sidonie, Maria Arnal, Suu, The Tyets, Figa Flawas, Doctor Prats and many more. On Saturday 27th the big concert will take place ELS40 Pop La Mercè at the Platja del Bogatell, with performances by Beret, Mama Dousha, Vicco and The Tyetsamong others.
Street culture: art, castellers and unique experiences
Murals, giants, aerial dance and activities for all audiences.
Beyond the music, La Mercè is a showcase of urban culture. The giants and big-headed men and women walk through the historic centre, the castellers (human towers) erect human towers in iconic squares and aerial dance companies turn façades and buildings into stages. There are also children's workshops, art installations and murals that transform the city into an open gallery for the whole family to enjoy.
A Barcelona as creative as ever, full of life and within everyone's reach.
During these days, Barcelona is experienced in a different way. Every corner is an opportunity to discover local creativity, from the fire processions (correfocs) to the evening screenings of mapping. The closing of the festival will come with the traditional pyromusical at the Font Màgica de Montjuïc on 28 September. The city is open, diverse and full of energy, inviting locals and visitors to experience culture without barriers.
Stay at Hotel España and experience the Mercè festivities from the inside.
Stay at Las Ramblas for the Mercè festivities
The Hotel España is located in the heart of the historic centre, just a few steps from Las Ramblas. From here, you can walk to most of the venues and return comfortably after a day of music and culture.
With the rest, design and comfort that make the difference.
The hotel combines modernist charm with contemporary design and all the comforts you need after an intense day of partying. Elegant rooms, Mediterranean cuisine and attentive service will make your experience at La Mercè 2025 even more memorable. In addition, its strategic location allows you to experience not only the main stages of La Mercè, but also to discover parallel activities in nearby neighbourhoods such as the Raval and the Gòtic, just a few minutes' walk away.
Staying at Hotel España means having the city's cultural agenda literally just around the corner. Enjoying the party and walking back to the comfort of your room is a luxury that makes all the difference. Because there's no better way to experience Barcelona than with everything at your fingertips.
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