Summer festivals bring more life to the city of Barcelona. La Merce festival is organised to coincide with the fiesta of La Merce, the city’s Patron Saint, on 24 September. You will find everything from the human towers or Castellers, the Fire Run or CorreFoc – which is held in the evening, els Gigants or Giants and las Sardanas – a traditional dance. There are also concerts in a series of locations around the city over three or four days/nights.
El corre foc
You will be amazed to see young and old running in front of dragons that spit out fire. Yes, real fire, in the form of fireworks. The ones that usually point in the air, and you watch from a distance. There are small children dressed up as little devils who taunt the dragon. Best observed from a second-floor window, but go to the street for the experience.
…a love of fire…fiestas de Sant Pere, Barcelona
Els Castellers
If you have ever tried to form a human pyramid, you probably didn’t get much beyond two levels. The Catalans have perfected team work in building human towers of different dimensions. It is a tradition that has become symbolic as the Castellers bring together young and old, strength and agility, and plenty of courage. It is a memorable experience and worth travelling to fiestas in smaller towns to get the best experience.
Street festivals
When everyone lives in apartments, a lot more living is done in the street, especially in summer, when people look for a cooler breeze and fresh air. Street festivals work when there are people around ready to participate. Barcelona has that.
Fiestas de barrio
Each barrio or neighbourhood has its own fiestas, with outdoor concerts, fireworks and gatherings of Gegants. In some cases there is a local Corre Foc, depending on the neighbourhood. Las fiestas in the Gracia neighbourhood are held over two weeks in the month of August. They have become very popular in the past 10 years.
