La Mercè 2014

This six-day festival opens with giants and dragons in the Plaça Sant Jaume. It’s followed by more than 600 events including sardanes (traditional Catalan dancing) and correfocs (fire-running). Other highlights include dazzling fireworks displays, free concerts, a seafront air show, sporting events including a swim across the port and a regatta, and a heap of activities for children. Many visitors are enchanted by the processions of gegants, large hollow figures made of papier-mâché and carried around by groups of enthusiasts, which were first introduced into the festivities at the beginning of the 20th century. Those brave enough to want to experience the correfocs and see the processions of firework-wielding devils should attend suitably equipped and protected against flying sparks by wearing adequate footwear, hats, protective glasses and thick long-sleeved shirts.