Everyone who has lived long enough in the city probably knows that Barcelona in September is synonym to "La Mercè" or, also known as the Barcelona Major Parties. It means concerts, exhibitions, dances, shows, everything! And most of them (if not all) for free.
But, first things first, and here there is a little backup history: La Mercè is the patron saint of Barcelona, celebrated on September 24th. The festival took off in 1902 but due to the political instability during the 20th Century it did not became a truly popular celebration until the arrival of democracy in the eighties. Nowadays the festival offers a large number of activities, including concerts, traditional dances, art... Every year we do also have a guest city, and so artists and musicians from there are invited to join the local festivities and by the way, this year's guest city is the one and only Paris!
THIS YEAR
Days: 22 -25 September (although some activities may start earlier or last longer)
Where: everywhere and all around in Barcelona
Information: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en
But, first things first, and here there is a little backup history: La Mercè is the patron saint of Barcelona, celebrated on September 24th. The festival took off in 1902 but due to the political instability during the 20th Century it did not became a truly popular celebration until the arrival of democracy in the eighties. Nowadays the festival offers a large number of activities, including concerts, traditional dances, art... Every year we do also have a guest city, and so artists and musicians from there are invited to join the local festivities and by the way, this year's guest city is the one and only Paris!
THIS YEAR
Days: 22 -25 September (although some activities may start earlier or last longer)
Where: everywhere and all around in Barcelona
Information: http://lameva.barcelona.cat/merce/en