Sardana Dancing Competition—La Mercè 2024

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photo by Luis Clúa Chopo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).

The 74th Concurs de Colles de Sardana Esportiva (Sardana Dance Group Competition) fuses history and local culture. For more than seven decades, the Federació de Colles Sardanistes de Barcelona ​​has been organizing this competition that brings together dancers of all ages from all corners of Catalunya.

The top groups from across the country will come together at this competition to dance to the rhythm of La Cobla La Mediterrània. The winning group or colla is awarded a miniature Àliga de la Ciutat, or statue of an eagle that represents the city. If a group wins this award two years running or on three alternate years, they get the big prize: a miniature reproduction of the city giants, the Gegants de la Ciutat.

What to Do for La Mercè

Celebrated in the days surrounding September 24th, the La Mercè festival program is packed with things to do and see. From parades and exhibits filled with gegants (giants), capgrossos (bigheads) and fire-breathing beasts to giant castells (human towers), traditional dances, correfocs (fire runs), drone light shows, fireworks displays and free concerts, you're sure to find something to delight and amaze you.

But if all the festivities of La Mercè get to be a bit too much, why not take a culture break? Many of the city’s museums observe the holiday with a jornada de portes obertes (open doors). To make the most of your time, take a look at our interactive map with all the locations that are throwing open their doors for free: Map of Barcelona Museums with Free Entry for La Mercè.

See our Guide to La Mercè for a list of the festival's events and discover the story behind one of the biggest celebrations on Barcelona's calendar and the many traditions that make this beloved Catalan holiday so special.

For more events during the Festes de la Mercè check our online events calendar.