The most anticipated festivals for the people of Barcelona are back, the Festivals of la Mercè 2023 are returning. From September 22 to 25, 2023, Barcelona will be filled with activities for all tastes: exhibitions, open doors, museums, music, theater, workshops, and much more.
Check the program: Mercè 2023
THE 2023 MERCÈ FESTIVALS IN BARCELONA
This year la Mercè returns with numerous plans for all audiences. There will be events, music shows, activities for children and families in different parts of the city. It will be a Mercè full of fun and new things.
What to see and do with children during the Festivals of la Mercè in Barcelona? The program is very comprehensive, so we’re going to simplify it for you… here is our selection of the best plans for children for la Mercè 2023.
BEST PLANS TO DO WITH KIDS IN LA MERCÈ 2023
LA MERCÈ AND TRADITIONS:
La Mercè 2023 is pure tradition. The Giants of the City, the Eagle, the Ox, the Mulassa, the Víbria, and the rest of the beings from the festive imagination of Barcelona will attend the main festival this year. If you like strong emotions, don’t miss any of the appearances of the Bestiari del Focs and closely follow the devils and the “tabalers”, who have been preparing the gunpowder for days to ensure you experience a very memorable Merced!
More than fifty activities are organized, featuring over two hundred entities related to popular culture, among which there will be concerts, giant parades, giant dances, etc. Check the official program as the activities are divided into different spaces in the city center.
LINK INFORMATION: Program Fiestas de la Mercè 2023
CHILDREN’S CORREFOC
The children’s correfoc is a perfect activity for the little ones. The route will go from Consell de Cent to Provenza. You can enjoy it on Saturday 23rd at 6:30 pm. It’s important to be careful with the fire.
SHOW OF GEGANTS AND DRAGONS AND BEASTS
THE EXHIBITION OF THE POPULAR PROCESSION returns to the Virreina, the traditional space for this exhibition. From September 16 to 25, you can see the Capgrossos Macers, the Giants of the City, the Eagle, the Lion, the Mulassa, the Ox, the Dragon, the Víbria, the Tarasca, the Cotton Horsemen, the Giants of the Pine and those of Santa Maria del Mar. The Procession exhibition can be visited from September 16 to 25, from 10 am to 8 pm.
EXHIBITION OF DRAGONS AND FIRE BEASTS IN EL BORN. From September 15 to 22, starting at 10 am. On the night of the 22nd (at 10 pm), there is a parade of dragons and beasts through various streets of El Born.
EXHIBITION OF GIANTS IN THE PATIO MANNING. The Giant Exhibition returns to the Patio Manning of the Casa de Caridad (Montalegre Street, 7). In this special edition, there will again be nearly a hundred giants, big giants, and little giants from the neighborhoods of the city. The hundred Barcelona giants will be on display from Saturday 10th to Saturday 23rd of September and can be visited every day of the week from 10 am to 7:30 pm. On Saturday 23rd, the exhibition will close at 5 pm
MORE INFORMATION: Program Fiestas de la Mercè 2023
MONTJUÏC CASTLE. Activities are scheduled for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of September. At Montjuïc Castle, you can find circus performances: juggling, trapeze, acrobatic cycling, trampoline, various games for all ages, road education space, DJ music for all ages, and much more.
JOAN MIRÓ PARK. Activities are scheduled for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of September. At Joan Miró Park, various stages are also set up where performances for all ages can be enjoyed. There are different types of shows: musicals, clown acts, and theater. Additionally, you can find two installations named ‘El gran gorilla’ and ‘La Ballarina’.
PALAUET ALBÉNIZ. Activities are planned for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of September. At Palauet Albéniz, there are organized activities like circus, clown performances, theater, space for new technologies and visual arts, magic, traditional music from different countries, etc. You can also take advantage of the open-door days to explore it.
ESTACIÓ DEL NORD PARK. Activities are on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of September. Another city location where families can partake in diverse activities for all audiences. Dance, rumba, circus, theater, puppets, clowns, interactive installations, and music.
OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE THERE WILL BE FAMILY ACTIVITIES FOR LA MERCÈ: Program Fiestas de la Mercè 2023
THE MOST SPECTACULAR MERCÈ. LIGHTS AND FIRE
As in all the Festivals of la Mercè, light and fire shows are the main attractions. These are the ones organized for this edition.
LA MERCÈ DRONE SHOW
GEOMETRICS X200. One of the major highlights of the La Mercè 2023 program is the drone show that will take place on the Espigón del Gas beach, starting at 10:00 pm. The show will feature about 200 luminous drones and will be carried out by the company Floc Drone Art. Proposals like Geometrics x200, which display a choreography of two hundred drones to the rhythm of music and sound effects, forming shapes up to a hundred meters wide and visible from a kilometer away. It’s undoubtedly a great activity for kids; they’ll surely be awestruck by the many lights in the sky!
Day: Sunday, September 24, starting at 10:00 p.m. Location: Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta – Oriol Bohigas, 14 (Espigón del Gas Beach). Duration: 12 minutes.
THE PIROMUSICAL OF LA MERCÈ.
One of the star shows of la Mercè is the Piromusical, organized on the night the festivities come to an end. The Piromusical is a citywide celebration, an absolute spectacle. Fire and music, perfectly synchronized, take center stage on a night when the people of Barcelona turn their gaze to Montjuïc.
This year, Sónar will provide the music for the Piromusical to celebrate the festival’s thirtieth anniversary. Three decades of history condensed into 25 minutes, allowing Barcelona to bid farewell to la Mercè 2023 and, at the same time, pay tribute to a major musical event that draws thousands of visitors from around the world to the city with each edition. And it will do so in collaboration with Pirotecnia Igual, which will light up Barcelona’s night sky with a spectacular and innovative display.
Day: Monday, September 25. Time: 10 p.m. Location: Av. Maria Cristina 1. Duration: 25m
More info: Program Fiestas de la Mercè 2023
THE MERCÈ OF THE MUSEUMS
Municipal museums and other cultural facilities are joining the celebration of the Major Festival of la Mercè with an open-door day. You can visit many city museums on Sunday 24th, and some also on Monday 25th, taking advantage of their open doors. Similarly, some museums organize special activities for the occasion, such as concerts, guided tours, performances, and workshops.
These are some of the museums that you can visit taking advantage of the open doors of the Mercè: Museu de la Música, Museu Marítim, EL Born CCM, Museu del Diseny, Museu d’Història, Museu Picasso, Cosmocaixa, Caixaforum, Museu Santa Mònica, Biblioteca Public Arús, Fundació Miró, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Monastir de Pedralbes, Museu Blau and others
OPEN DOORS OF THE SAGRADA FAMILIA. Also, take advantage of the Mercè holiday to visit the Sagrada Familia with your family. To gain access, you need to enter a draw organized on the Sagrada Familia website. The days for the free visit are the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of September at different times. If you win the draw, you’ll receive tickets to visit one of the city’s most iconic buildings. All the information: Open doors Sagrada Familia 2023
THE GASTRONOMIC MERCÈ FESTIVAL
EARTH AND FLAVOR, the Sustainable Food Festival. Tastings, showcookings, workshops, awards, concerts… The 3rd edition of the festival invites us to enjoy music, food, and drink in a more conscious way, with quality proposals that help to care for the planet through sustainable practices. We invite you to enjoy it in a new location, at the Ciutadella Park. Truly an experience for the senses!
LA MERCÈ PROGRAM 2023
f you want to check out the entire schedule for the Mercè 2023 festivities, you can visit the website. You’ll find all the activities by day, by venue, and all the necessary information to fully enjoy the Barcelona celebrations.
More info: Programa Fiestas de la Mercè 2023
