Barcelona celebrates La Mercè 2026 festival and local commerce

Barcelona is celebrating La Mercè 2026, a major festival spanning from September 23 to 27. The festivities include 109 concerts, 55 folk culture performances, and 180 street art shows. Shanghai is the guest city this year. Key musical acts include María Terremoto, Miki Núñez, and Love of Lesbian, with various stages located across the city, including Bogatell beach.

The festival's opening proclamation (pregó) was delivered by Antoni and Meritxell Falgueras of the historic Celler de Gelida. They used the platform to advocate for the preservation of local, neighborhood commerce, emphasizing that traditional shops provide community and identity that digital platforms cannot replace. This coincides with Barcelona's role as the European Capital of Local Commerce 2026.

To accommodate the crowds, Barcelona's public transport network is being reinforced. The Metro will operate with 30% more trains and will provide continuous service during three specific nights. Additionally, the city has launched a 200,000 euro urban challenge to fund innovative solutions for improving the competitiveness and sustainability of local businesses.