Theatre, contemporary circus, dance and music will take over the streets, squares and parks of Barcelona in the new edition of Mercè Arts de Carrer. This year, the programme is also being decentralised to bring culture closer to all 10 districts of the city. A total of 32 stages, 180 shows and 109 concerts will be spread across neighbourhoods and venues, highlighting the central role that culture plays in the life of Barcelona and its residents.
68 companies and more than 200 artists take over Barcelona's public spaces
The Mercè Arts de Carrer (MAC) festival, under the curatorship of a team formed by Jordi Duran, Jordi Querol, Cristina Cazorla, Sergi Ots, and Tortell Poltrona, once again presents a large number of shows during the days when Barcelona's main festival is celebrated.
Among this year's most striking novelties is the debut of Plaça de les Glòries, which opens on September 24 with an uninterrupted day designed for children. The new green space will host 7 companies, including Lanördika with Tres Tristes Trols, the circus with flamenco nuances of Truca Cirkus and their Alboroto, and the proposal of La Nova Bèstia, conceived by Laura Morales.
The highlight of the program will be the premiere of EMERGENCY EXIT on September 24 at the Moll de la Fusta. With the support of the European program Creative Europe, the show presents a large-format experience that fuses the physical theater of La Fura dels Baus, the electronic and ethnic rhythms of Satori, and the universe of projections and light designed by the Eyesberg studio. The result? An immersive show that places the viewer at the center of the ecological crisis to send a clear message of awareness: “Peace on Earth, Peace with Earth”.
The street party is completed with the large-format circus of the French Cie. Bivouac with Perceptions in the Fòrum, a scenographic intervention for the 50 years of Catalan contemporary circus conceived by the Arxiu Viu de Circ and Queralt Suau Studio. Also noteworthy is the nocturnal proposal of Glam Canalla: Nits al Nord at the Estación del Norte, and the premiere of Ignició360 in Trinitat, where Núria Andorrà, Suso33, and Roc Mateu mix live graffiti, percussion, and sounds recorded in the neighborhood.
Additionally, the most supportive side will meet on the 24th at the Parc de l’Aqüeducte in Ciutat Meridiana with Pallassos Sense Fronteres and their event Aqüeducte per la pau, which will bring together Pep Callau and Tortell Poltrona, in a dialogue led by journalist Txell Feixas accompanied by the Catalan rumba of Joan Garriga i el Mariatxi Galàctic.
The Fòrum will once again be the showcase for international circus. Large companies will perform at the Parc dels Auditoris, such as the French acrobats of Cie. Bivouac. The program is completed with the gestural comedy aboard a real ship by Sacekripa in Surcouf, the physical risk of Eunoia Kolektiv in Tenet, and the show Espai Vital by Duo Laos.
At the Estación del Nord, contemporary theater, satire, and cabaret will take place. The stage will host premieres such as Entre arrels by Kernel Dance Theatre, which fuses contemporary dance with the symbolism of the Catalan and Chinese lion, and Bantús by Periferia Cimarronas, a show that functions as an allegory about Afro-Catalan identity. Political and social satire will come from Trasla2 and their Securitas Service, as well as with the Col·lectiu Alipori and their Verecundia.
In Montjuïc, the Jardins de Joan Maragall reopen the Palauet Albéniz to present the dance show by Claire Ducreux with her Fleurir les abîmes and Sadnessländ by Carla Sisterè. For its part, the Port Olímpic will premiere the family route Marea de les Arts with Serena by Circ Bover.
Popular culture also returns to the squares
This is the case of the new Porta de l'Infern that the Correfoc will premiere, a mass 14 meters wide by 7 meters high designed by artist Daniel Esteban together with the Taula del Foc. Composed of almost a thousand fragmented bodies, the structure is a visual tribute to the "everyday hell" and the strength of community unity.
The second major event takes us on September 24 to the Plaça de la Natura of Park Güell to experience the premiere of Decostumari, as part of the events of the Gaudí Year and the Park's Centenary. The production will feature fifty performers on the sand who will combine the choreography by Pere Seda leading the company L'Esbord, with dancers from various esbarts of the city and an original score performed live by the Orquestra Músiques d'Arrel (OMAC).
Open-air concerts with Música Mercè and BAM
Live music at La Mercè can be enjoyed on 16 stages. The program Música Mercè, led by Gisela Sais, presents 34 concerts with artists such as the rumba of Sabor de Gràcia, the duende of María Terremoto, the poetry of Luísa Sobral and Nacho Vegas, the rock of Aterciopelados and the party of La Pegatina. Other local artists of the stature of Maika Makovski, Pol Batlle or Els Amics de les Arts will also be present.
For its part, the BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical festival will present 39 concerts of a more underground style. Sounds of post-punk, clubbing and the most current electronic music will meet in this year's program. Some of the confirmed artists are Uzi Freyja, The Slates, Sandra Monfort, Brama or Sandré, in addition to the debut in Barcelona of international and independent projects such as Imarhan, Daoud, La 126, Islandman or I AM ROZE.
Shanghai is the guest city of La Mercè 2026
This year, Shanghai is the guest city and it is the first major Asian metropolis invited to the festival. On the night of September 24 on the beach of Espigó del Gas we will be able to see El fil vermell. De Barcelona a Shanghai, a drone show carried out by the Flock Drone Art studio and which, with 750 synchronized drones, will draw the iconography of the two cities, recalling the legend of the red thread of destiny.
But Shanghai's presence will be felt throughout the city. For example, in the Parc dels Auditoris del Fòrum you can enjoy the acrobatics of the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, while the Parc de l'Estació del Nord will host the contemporary dance of the Shanghai Dance School. Live music will feature bands such as the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Jazz Ensemble, the electronic proposal of the Shanghai Restoration Project and the tradition of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, while the traditional dance of the Fengxian lanterns (Traditional Chinese Rolling Lantern Performance) will be part of the Toc d’Inici and the Cavalcada.
The Piromusical moves to Nova Icària beach
The closing party of this Mercè 2026 comes with a historic change: it will no longer be held on Avenida de la Reina Maria Cristina, but Nova Icària beach will be the new stage for the piromusical. It will be on Sunday, September 27 at 10 p.m. and will feature a soundtrack exclusively signed by Josep Montero, leader and soul of Oques Grasses.
This year, Mercè Arts de Carrer offers us five days to experience the city through culture, community, and collective emotion.
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