Just when you thought the summer was over the party-loving city of Barcelona bites back with the big one! This spectacular street festival spills out from many stages and venues throughout the city, with over 600 activities and events including music, fireworks and traditional parades. It dates back to 1902 and was originally a religious occasion to commemorate the city’s Patron Saint, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè.

Every folkloric element of local tradition is represented; from the towering castellers, or human castles that can reach up to nine storeys high, to epic correfocs, with dancing devils skipping through the streets brandishing twirling fireworks alongside fire-breathing dragons.

The festivities come to a rousing finale with an epic firework display in Plaça España.