Barcelona Holidays

La Mercè 2019 is around the corner! For another year running, the streets of Barcelona will be filled with music, activities and events galore during the city’s biggest celebration of the year. From 20 to 24 of September, La Mercè will take over the city together with this year’s special international guest, the city of Beirut.

With over 500 things to do for the whole family, we’ve compiled this small guideto ensure you don’t miss out on a thing!

Diades Castelleres (Human Towers)

In the biggest events of the year on the castellers calendar, Plaça Sant Jaume plays host to these spectacular Catalan human towers.

In this 50 th anniversary of the Castellers of Barcelona, don’t miss the best groups of the city battling it out from noon on Sunday 22 and Tuesday 24 to see who makes it to the top.

Correfocs

Head to Via Laietana on Saturday 21 from 6:30 pm onwards and you’ll be greeted by giants and devils. Although it may sound like a fairytale, these are two Catalan traditions that are not to be missed.

Watch how these enormous giant-like figures are paraded through the city centre and let yourself be amazed at the jaw-dropping fire run in this fabulous display of colourful sparks.

Live music concerts

La Mercè is synonymous with music and this year is no exception. With three musical programmes underway – BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) Mercè Música, y BAM Cultura Viva – there is sure to be something for everyone. From the old Estrella Damm factory, Plaça Catalunya and MACBA to various beach locations, there will be almost 100 open-air concerts for all to enjoy completely for free.

Museum open days

In addition to all the festivities and celebrations, many of Barcelona’s museums open to the public completely free of charge on Tuesday 24, the official day of La Mercè.

From the National Museum of Catalunya and the Castle of Montjuic to the CCCB Cultural Center and the Museum of Modern Art, be sure to snap up this unique chance to discover the history and culture of Barcelona.

Town hall mapping

In celebration of “Any Brossa” (the Year of Brossa), the façade of Barcelona’s town hall will come alive with art. Discover the creative world of this renowned Catalan poet, playwright and visual artist in a 3D projection from 20–24 September.

Cursa de La Mercè

Unlike other years, this annual race will be held after La Mercè celebrations. Grab your trainers and set out on this emblematic 10-km run around the city that starts on Avinguda de Maria Cristina. Sign up here! 

Piromusical

This traditional Piromusical show concludes the celebrations in a grand mix of music and fireworks. This year tribute will be paid to the Beatles, the Liceu Theatre and Glenn Miller. The event will also welcome typical music from Beirut as the guest city of La Mercè 2019. Don’t miss this free feast for the eyes and ears on 24 September at 9 pm, Avinguda de Maria Cristina.

What’s more, on Sunday 22, the city will respect the global “Car-free Day” with Via Laietana and Gran de Gràcia giving priority to cyclists and public transport. Join everyone in raising awareness about reducing pollution in the city.

See Barcelona in all its splendour and take part in the celebrations with locals and tourists alike. Check out the official programme here where you will find listings for the four days of the festival. And so you don’t miss any of the action, book with bizflats.com to find the ideal apartment for your stay.

Carnival is a great time to be in Barcelona, with loads of fun events happening, there’s plenty to see. This year, Barcelona Carnival will happen between February 27 and March 6, with events happening throughout the city and also in cities like Sitges, very close from Barcelona and with a spectactular carnival with several parades.

Origin of the carnaval: Why we celebrate it?

Carnival is held seven weeks after the first full moon past the Winter solsitce, traditionally ending the same day as Ash Wednesday, 40 days before Easter. As such, carnival is thought to be the last party before the start of Lent, a period in which people are meant to abstain from vices, such as alcohol. A festival with Roman origins, the holiday was first documented as having been celebrated in 1333. Little by Little the party began to take shape as we know it today, with costumes becoming commonplace by the 19th Century. 

Structure of the Carnival in Barcelona

Arrival of the Carnival King

This will happen on February 28 and is when the Carnival King will arrive at La Rambla, in front of the Arts Santa Mònica museum. The Carnival King arrives to inaugurate the crazy carnival week. Jumping, dancing and singing, the parade will arrive at the Palau de la Virreina, the Carnival’s Republic. 

Carnival Parades

Parades will start to take place on March 2, when throughout the city there will be over 30 different parades, ending with the main parade through the old town. Here you will see people dressed in colourful and traditional costumes for Barcelona Carnival, music and dancing filling the streets. If you want to check out all the details of Barcelona Carnival Parades, you can find the full program by district here.

The Burial of the Sardine

This takes place on the last day of Barcelona Carnival, which this year will be March 6. This marks the end of the carnival period and is a symbolic burial of the past to allow society to be reborn and transformed over the period of Lent. 

If you want to make the most of Barcelona Carnival, you can also head to Sitges, just a short train ride away from Barcelona. Here a large and extravagant carnival is hosted, and residents dress up in mourning to signify the end of carnival. The Sitges Carnival is famous throughout Catalonia for being a great party. Check the program here.