Barcelona Travel Newsletter
Issue #28
Hola,
Summer may be drawing to a close, but some of Barcelona's main events are still to come. Each year, towards the end of September, Barcelona celebrates its official fiesta. And they certainly celebrate in style. Five days of concerts, processions and events pay homage to the city's two patron saints - Santa Eulália and the Virgin of the Mercé. The party is so large it is just too much for one saint to handle!
Each year, certain traditions are adhered to and events such as the Fire Run, the Giants Parade and the Sardana dance take place. Our Overview to La Mercé Festival gives you an idea as to what you can expect.
The event has a very visual aspect to it, with dancing, costumes and fireworks - to get a feel for the sights and sounds of the festival, check our La Merce Photo gallery.
The town council release information regarding the La Mercé programme only a few weeks before the event and each year the city waits with baited breath for the Mayor to make his announcement as to what treats are in store.
This year La Mercé will be taking place on 23rd - 27th September. The opening procession will be on the evening of Wednesday 23rd starting in the town hall square - Plaza Sant Jaume, and working its way through town. Thursday 24th will see traditional activities taking place throughout the day in Barcelona's old town. These activities will include a Piper's morning call of musicians, performances of Catalunya's regional dance - the Sardana and human castle displays.
If you have a weakness for fireworks, this is definitely the festival for you - on the evenings of 24th, 25th and 26th pyrotechnics experts from America, Spain and France will compete to provide the most innovative and spectacular fireworks displays on Barceloneta beach. Then, to ensure that the festival really ends with a bang on 27th, there will be a huge fireworks display to a soundtrack of film scores at Montjuic castle - overlooking the bright lights of the city.
For those of you who are far more interested in the rock concerts than the traditional showcases, this year will not disappoint. Stages will be erected in the squares throughout the city and free concerts will be taking place. This year the line up includes the likes of The Hives, Billie The Vision & The Dancers, Cui Jian, James Hunter and Janiva Magness, Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band and Joe Bataan & Los Fulanos.
If you are bringing kids to the city, many of the events taking place will be of appeal. Keep a particular eye out for what's happening in the Parc de la Ciutadella. Each day the park will play host to games, workshops and general creative chaos for children. If last year's marching bands of ants, fire breathing dragons and troops of clowns are anything to go by, the park will be transformed into a magical world of make-believe. And, as a treat for the adults, the evenings will see the park transform into a mecca for jazz aficionados with concerts, talks and film projections dedicated to the genre.
September could well prove to be the ideal month to take a trip to Barcelona. Temperatures have dropped to a comfortable level, along with flight prices to the city. The festival itself is completely free and the atmosphere in the city will be electric. It's important to remember that la Mercé already has a considerable fan base and people from around the world will be making their way to Barcelona for the event.
If you haven't had your summer holiday yet, or if you're simply craving a short break to blow away those end-of-summer blues, La Mercé is a great excuse for a short trip to Barcelona. A whole host of free events will be easy on the wallet and there's something at the festival for everybody to enjoy. See you at the fireworks!
Finding Your Barcelona Accommodation
If you haven't arranged your accommodation in Barcelona yet make sure to read our articles on finding and booking your Barcelona accommodation.
Holiday apartments in Barcelona
Guide to Holiday apartment rental in Barcelona
Barcelona Hotel Map
Find out exactly where all the hotels are located in Barcelona with our Hotel Map. Simply click on themap to read the review of that hotel - the easy way to find your Barcelona hotel.
Barcelona Hotel Hostal and Pension - Knowing the difference will save you money!
How to choose the right accommodation in Barcelona
Weather updates live from Barcelona
Visit our weather page to see the current weather conditions and for a 5 day weather forecast.
Click the link below to go to our weather reports
Weather report for Barcelona Spain
Click the link below to visit our back issues of Barcelona Travel
www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/membership-area/newsletter-back-issues/
That's it for this Edition of Barcelona Travel - see you soon with the next edition!
Hasta Luego
Clare
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