Catalunya Freestyle at La Mercè 2026

During Barcelona's grand festival of La Mercè, the city transforms into a stage for street arts, tradition, and music. This year, Shanghai is the guest city, marking 25 years of sister-city ties, and bringing over a hundred artists from Shanghai and the local Chinese community to share their culture. The festival's visual identity, created by artist Cinta Vidal Agulló, unfolds Barcelona's districts and iconic landmarks into a single, multi-perspective composition.

Amid the celebrations, the 'Catalunya Freestyle' concert offers a platform for improvisation and contemporary expression, reflecting the festival's spirit of innovation. With the BAM music series under new direction, audiences can expect a diverse sonic landscape, from jazz and R&B to desert blues. The festival also features traditional popular culture, electric experimentation, and pyrotechnics, including a new location for the Piromusical and a new Porta de l'Infern.

For visitors, La Mercè is a chance to experience Barcelona's vibrant culture across all its districts, with activities spread throughout the city. The festival's app helps you explore nearby events in real time, making it easy to navigate the many performances and installations.