The greatest celebration of Barcelona, La Merce’s festivities, is starting this Friday. This festival says good bye to the summer and will transform the city during 7 days (18th to 24th September) into a huge street party.
Take a look at the “La Merce” events program (schedule of events) to see all the activities for all ages and tastes: tradition, arts, circus, food parades, dances, concerts, fireworks and much more. There is so much things to do that you will probably get in trouble to choose where to go.
To help you making the most of the party we have choose our favorites. If you like Art i Sa you will probably like our selection:
18th Sept – Friday:
11:00 to 18:00 Start the day with a healthy breakfast a head to the Ciutadella Park. Even not all the programmed activities at the Park will start on Friday (most of them start on Saturday), you will be able to enjoy almost the half of the Barcelona Street Arts Festival in a more relaxed ambience: urban art, music, circus, theatre… Also, in this magnificent ambience will be host most of the shows run by this year invited city Buenos Aires: travel to the city, enjoy their meal, dance tango and much more. Shows and activities are run during the whole day and they repeat several times during the day.
18:30 – Later, head to Gothic Quarter for the official starters events. At 19.00 the sound of the “Repic de Camapanes” (all church bells ringing at the same time) will mark the official start. At St. Jaume Square takes place the Opening Pronouncement followed by traditional Catalan dance: “Sardanes”.
19.15 Walk to the “Virreina Palace” on the Ramblas to enjoy an free afternoon snack while the inaugural procession starts: traditional figures of historical beasts will take over the streets. Follow the procession back to St. Jaume Square where they will perform a dance.
Take a rest and dine something but do not leave the area. Remember Art I Sa is very close. Later, at 21.15, again at St Jaume square, the main hall façade will be beautifully lighted by film projection: “Portraits of Barcelona”.
22.00 When the projection is finished hurry up and go to the Barceloneta beach (Espigó del Gas) to be dazzled by the Merce first Pirotecnical Show.
23:00 Later on you can finish the night back at Ciutadella Park, night shows will go on until 2AM. If you are still hungry we recommend you to try the food parades you will find at the Park.
19th September, Saturday: Cultural and traditional events start from the early morning
11:00: At Sant Jaume Square, attend the “Catalonian alive dances show”, an exhibition of dances which are seen in various areas of Catalonia.
After this, during day time, you can choose between Montjuic Castle holding contemporary circus itinerant shows with around 30 troupes from around the world or come back to Ciutadella Park to take some of the Tango lessons that are taking place today or to enjoy the rest of the shows starting today.
Back in town center, at 16:30 at Merce Square, a peculiar human tower dance is performed, and at 18:00 at St. Jaume Square, in case you could not see it in the morning, it is hold the “Catalonian alive dances shows”.
18:30 “Sardanes” are danced at the Cathedral square
19:00 “Gegants” at Drassanes Street.
Dine and prepare to join the parade with dragons and mythical creatures that will fill the Via Laietana street at 21.00
22:00 Again it is time for Fireworks at Barceloneta Beach
After Fireworks the city will be full of music concerts, have a look at the program and choose the ones that most suit your style.
20th September, Sunday: The third big day of the party. Again traditional shows fill the city center:
10:00 Morning Stick Dancing and Procession starts at St. Jaume Square
10:30 Barcelona Falcons and Parade starting a Cathedral Sq.
11:00 Sardana’s competition takes place again at Cathedral Sq.
12:00 Do not miss the Castellers (human towers) at St Jaume Sq.
Take a rest and continue at 17:00 with the “Tabalada” Drumming parade and concert at Rei Square
At 18:30 takes place a Devils fire-run specialy hold for the little ones.
At 20.30 follows the real fire-run, “Correfoc”. Both at Via Laietana
One more night, choose the tune of music you most fancy and join the concert.
21st and 22nd September, Monday and Tuesday: As these are two labour days for Barceonners shows and activities are hold in a more relaxed way. At Ciutadella Park and Montjuic Castle is where most of the action takes place. We recommend you to go during these days to enjoy these spaces in a not so crowded way.
23rd September, Wednesday: During day time, same as for Monday and Tuesday. At nights, concerts and night life continue as tomorrow is the main party and a day off. We recommend you Havaneras Concert at Merce Sq. at 21.00. Xabana on La Rambla it is also a nice Parade to see (21.00-22.00).
24th September, Fryday: Last and main day of the celebration.
09:45 The day starts very early today. Following the tradition Piper Mornings calls and Trabucaire Blunderbuss Gala will wake up everybody shutting their guns. The main party starts!!!
11:00 At St. Jaume Square takes place an exhibition of Giant Dances, followed by a morning Stick Dancing and Parade at 12:00, Dances of the Eagle and the Giants of the City 12:15 pm and Castellers (Human Tower) Show at 12:30
6:00 Later at Pelai Street starts Cavalcade of La Mercè: The Light of La Mercè and at 6.15 pm at La Merce square you can find locals Dancing Sardanas.
6:00 If you have seen many parades and traditional dances you could maybe prefer heading to “Mercat de les Flors” for the “Milonga” Masterclass performed by professional Argentinian dancers, this year special guests.
6:15 Sardana Dancing at Pl. de la Mercè Choral Concert 7 pm Pl. del Rei Closing Ceremony 8 pm Start: pl. de Sant Jaume Close of the International Folklore Days 8:15 pm Pl. de Sant Jaume Concert with la Cobla Sant Jordi Ciutat de Barcelona 9 pm Basílica de la Mercè (pl. de la Mercè) Projections on the City Hall Façade: Portraits of Barcelona 10 pm, 10:30 pm and 11 pm Pl. de Sant Jaume.
Once more the city night is filled with music in every corner. Make your selection and do not forget to head to Av. de Maria Cristina at 22:00 for the final touch that will come with the eagerly-anticipated Piromusical, the fantastic closing of la Mercè 2014. The magic will mix music, water and pyrotechnics, accompanied by poetry and images projected onto a gigantic screen. This whole show will unfold by the Magic Fountain of Montjuic.
