From 23 to 28 September. The annual festival kicks off with the reading of the Opening Speech (Pregó) and the Opening Ceremony (Toc d’Inici) on the evening of 23 September, at 7 pm in Plaça de Sant Jaume. The festival ends on September at 10 pm with the La Mercè musical fireworks display on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina.
Yes. All activities organised by Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Institute of Culture are free of charge.
Shows and activities in squares, streets, and parks will take place on Tuesday 23rd, between 7:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.; Wednesday 24th, between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; Thursday 25th, from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Friday 26th, between 7:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.; Saturday 27th, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.; and Sunday 28th, between 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. You can check the activities on La Mercè’s website by morning, afternoon, or evening time slots.
In the districts of Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, Sants-Montjuic and Sant Martí.
The La Mercè website contains information organised by days, times, venues, types of activities, accessibility and district. You can also download the programme booklet in PDF format or check each activity with more detailed information, location and a map of the venue.
At the Citizen Culture Office (Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, 99). Seven days a week from 10.15 am to 8.15 pm in person, or by phoning 933 161 000.
By calling the freephone 010 from 7 am to 11 pm every day of the week. From outside the Barcelona metropolitan area, phone 931 537 010 at the ordinary rate.
On social media: @bcncultura, @festivalBAM, @culturapopularbcn or using the #LaMercè tag.
There will be uninterrupted metro service on Tuesday 23rd and until midnight on Wednesday 24th, and from Friday 26th until midnight on Sunday 28th.
For updated information on the public transport service, check the website www.tmb.cat
To go to Bogatell beach:
• It is recommended to travel by metro (L4, Llacuna) and by bus lines 6, 59, H16, V23, V25, V27, V29, B20, B25.
• Night bus service available (N6, N8, and N28).
To get to the Joan Maragall Gardens, within the Palauet Albéniz grounds:
• It is recommended to use bus lines 55 (stop: Museu Nacional–Museu Etnològic), 150, and 125 (stop: Piscines Picornell–Museu Nacional).
• On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th, bus line 150 will be reinforced. It connects Plaça d’Espanya with the Joan Maragall Gardens in the Palauet Albéniz grounds.
Note: The Palauet Albéniz remains closed due to improvement works. This year, there will be no open house or welcome show at the Palauet. Street arts performances will take place in the Joan Maragall Gardens within the same grounds. Entry and exit to the venue is exclusively via Avinguda dels Montanyans (behind the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya).
To get to the Parc de l’Aqüeducte:
• On Tuesday 24 September, we recommend the metro service (L11, Ciutat Meridiana), Rodalies (R3-R4-R7, Barcelona-Torre Baró | Vallbona) i and also bus lines 62, 76, D50 and 183.
To get to the Parc del Fòrum - Parc dels Auditoris
• It is recommended to use the TRAM service (line T4, stops El Maresme and Fòrum), metro (L4, El Maresme i Fòrum station), and bus lines 7, H16, V29, V31, V33, 136, B20, B23.
All venues used for La Mercè are accessible. All the music venues have a space set aside for people with disabilities (limited capacity), as do certain venues in the parks where shows in the Mercè Arts de Carrer festival are held, as long as the characteristics of the terrain make them possible. La Mercè venues have entrances and toilets set up for people with disabilities.
You can check the activities with accessibility measures using the ‘Accessibility’ search tool in the Programme menu on the La Mercè website.
You can request information on the accessibility of the venues and shows by phoning 933 161 000 or emailing infoicub@bcn.cat.
You will find the following measures or information with the corresponding icon:
- Accessible for people with hearing disabilities
- Artists with functional diversity
- Induction loop
- Sign language
- Vibrating backpacks available
- Accessible space for people with reduced mobility
- Quiet space / Relaxed session: activities or performances with reduced noise, movement, and lighting
- Text-free performance
For a Mercè free of gender-based violence, you will find a Purple Point at Bogatell Beach, on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, and on Passeig de Gràcia (Correfoc).
If you notice a situation that could directly affect you or someone else, or if you see a person in a situation of vulnerability, do not continue celebrating but instead ask for help and phone 112.
The main venues at La Mercè have emergency medical services ready to attend you if you do not feel well, have an accident or have any medical incident.
For residents, shops and services:
- Remove all vehicles from the streets on the route.
- Protect windows and displays, and keep windows and doors closed.
- Lower the blinds: close windows and lower blinds.
- Plan on receiving and dispatching goods before 12 noon.
- Take out waste when the Fire Run has finished to prevent possible incidents with fire.
For participants and spectators:
- Wear long sleeves and trousers. If you're going to head into falling sparks, wear a cotton scarf on your head. Avoid wearing clothing made of synthetic material. Wear a cap to protect your head. Wear appropriate footwear (trainers, hiking boots, etc.).
- Carefully protect your eyes and ears. If you have mobility issues, watch the Fire Run from a safe location.
- No alcohol or glass: drink alcohol-free liquids and avoid glass bottles and glasses.
- Children should be kept away: children have the best time at the Fire Run when they're little, but if you're taking them there, keep them away from the first row and the fire.
- Don’t throw water onto the people watching the Fire Run.
- If you have an emergency: If you’ve been burned or don’t feel well during the celebration, there are always medical services and ambulances stationed nearby to help you.
Municipal museums and cultural facilities offer free admission during La Mercè. Some of them include activities like workshops, guided or dramatised tours, which may be free or paid. The La Mercè website offers general information on these activities. If you need more detailed information on conditions of access and advantages, please contact each museum or facility directly.
On the La Mercè app you can explore the upcoming activities depending on your geolocation and desired distance. You can also receive notifications and updates in real time and create your list of favourites by choosing the themes, venues, days or times of the activities that best match your interests. The activities that correspond to your selection will be the first to be shown when you open the app. Available for both iOS and Android.
There is free entry for activities in La Mercè 2025. However, some venues may require you to book in advance. You can check the conditions on each centre’s website.
You can collect a paper copy of the La Mercè 2025 poster, created by Lluís Danés, free of charge (50 x 70 cm) at the Sala Ciutat (C/Ciutat, 2) or at the Citizen Culture Office (OCCU) at the Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla, 99). They will be available until stocks run out.
You can download the La Mercè poster free of charge and the variations on the poster for the MAC, Folk Culture, Música Mercè, BAM, Manchester Guest City and La Mercè Fun Run free of charge, all measuring 50 x 70 cm, from the municipal website (barcelona.cat/cartells/en/2025/merce-2025).
