When most people outside Spain hear of a “festival in Barcelona”, they probably think about one of its many music festivals, like Primavera Sound or Sonar. Festival La Mercè isn’t one of those modern music ones though – it has its roots in Spanish Catholic history and has been celebrated as the “main festival of Barcelona” for over one hundred years. 

La Mercè is one of Barcelona's patron-saints. In the 13th century, she is said to have appeared to the Spanish King and ordered him to go to war with the conquering Moors; years later her spirit shielded the city from a plague of locusts; and by the early twentieth century, Barcelona’s municipal politicians thought she'd make the perfect excuse for an official city holiday – cue a lot of dancing, drinking and traditional papier maché statues.

That single holiday has expanded into an entire week of festivities, with art, music and traditional culture all jostling through the streets of Barcelona, with vivid colours and Catalan style. One of the most famous attractions are the castellers, also known as the daring men dressed in red who form literal human pyramids.

Check out the official website of this year’s festival to find out the programme. They haven’t announced much yet  – things happening in the run-up to the actual parade and festival dayson 24th of September 2024. The locations haven’t yet been announced, but they won’t be far from Generator Barcelona.