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Concerts, traditions and family activities you won't want to miss during Barcelona's biggest festival, La Mercè, September 21 to 24
During this year's La Mercè celebrations, in honour of the city's patron saint, you'll thrill with festival essentials such as the 'correfoc' (fire run), 'castells' (human towers), the amazing Piromusical fireworks and music show, and concerts in the BAM festival. This is your guide to all you need to know to get the most out of Barcelona's Festa Major, from September 21 to 24.
Head to Plaça de Sant Jaume for the pregó given by Barcelona-born actor Leticia Dolera
Your guide to the museums and landmark buildings offering free entry during La Mercè
Taste wines and cavas from 70 wineries around Catalonia, and sample local food as well
It wouldn't be a Mediterranean festival without the smell of gunpowder and the sight of sparks
Devils, beasts and other creatures parade along the city streets and shoot fire in the traditional 'correfoc'
The sky over Barceloneta beach shines with light and colour over two nights
Local human tower building groups ('castellers') take center stage in the great Diada Castellera de la Mercè
The Castellers de Barcelona parade to Plaça Sant Jaume, where they'll build their 'castells' along with invited casteller groups
From September 21 to 24 you can see the video projection 'Oda des del Cel' on the façade of the Ajuntament (City Hall)
On Saturday, September 22 from 10am to 2pm, Via Laietana becomes a car-free space
Traditions are alive and kicking in Catalonia, and proof of that are the many age-old traditional dances still being performed throughout the region
Principal carillonist Anna Maria Reverté, puts on a special concert where Portuguese music is the star
Plaça Catalunya is the heart of the Festa Major for the third edition of this big party of the city's associations
See performances of dance, street theatre, circus arts and music during the day and at night in and around Parc de la Ciutadella
Montjuïc castle changes into a Big Top for a few days to the delight of kids and any fans of the circus arts
You'll find all kinds of music and dance performances in the form of shows you can watch and workshops you can participate in
Circus, mime, animation, concerts, games for the whole family... All this and more September 22 to 24 at the Palauet Albéniz
Among the activities is a show featuring the exotic structures from Jordà Ferré and his company Antigua i Barbuda
African sounds are the star of the first of three themed nights of La Mercè festivities at the Moll de Fusta at the Barcelona Port
This year's guest city for La Mercè is Lisbon, and Cuca Roseta represents the sound of a new generation of fado singing
The Barcelona Municipal Band performs 'A sea of music', a series of traditonal pieces from Mediterranean countries
Local radio station RAC 105 hosts these concerts by four Catalan bands at the Parc de la Ciutadella
Local radio station Cadena 100 hosts this night of concerts in Av. Reina Maria Cristina
Concerts tonight feature Chile's Tomasa del Real, Oshun from New York, and Ammar 808 and The Maghreb United from The Maghreb
These pioneers on the ska scene in Catalonia are hanging up their instruments, but first they bid farewell to their fans old and new
On Saturday 22, at Bogatell Beach, you can catch local acts La iaia, Love of Lesbian, and Fundación Tony Manero
The Barcelona Symphony and Catalonia National Orchestra (OBC) kick off their season with a date during La Mercè
On the stage in Plaça Joan Coromines are Barcelona's Ferran Palau, and two bands from London, IDER and Warmduscher
The Rambla del Raval brings to the stage these acts from Nigeria, Brazil and Angola
Today at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm catch these artists from Barcelona, Cádiz, Belgium, France, and beyond
Concerts in Av. Paral·lel feature music from Barcelona, Portugal, Madrid and Argentina
On Sunday 23 the music by the sea continues with Dr. Prats, Els Catarres, and Gertrudis
The Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphonic Orchestra and Choir venture into Nou Barris for this performance
The second day of concerts at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm brings in bands from Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia
Discover Time Out original video