September in Barcelona

If you have a plan to visit Barcelona in September then you are a very lucky person. It's all about a nice weather with sunny days, not as burning as August but warm enough for beaches. Less tourist staying in town but the city is full of festivals, from the neighborhood local festival Festa Major, National Day of Catalonia to the festival of festivals La Merce. Keep reading and do not miss any word.

National Day of Catalonia (Diada Nacional de Catalunya)

• Where: all over Barcelona 
• When: Sep 11

Celebrated on September 11, the Catalan National Day commemorates Barcelona’s surrender to the French Bourbon army in the 1714 War of the Spanish Succession. It is a national reaffirmation day with Catalan flags waving on buses and balconies. Marches are through the city center with the statue of the resistance director Rafael Casanova. Unlike other festivals, this day more speeches and prize-giving ceremonies take place on National Day of Catalonia. On this day, entrance to many museums is free of charge. 

La Merce Festival (Festa de La Merce)

• When: September 21 – September 24
• Where: Various venues through the city

Back in the XVII century, when the locust plague devastated the city, residents prayed in front of the Virgin of La Merce. Since then, she became a miraculous patron of Barcelona but till the XX century that the day became a celebratory day. Annually, all over the city of Barcelona, people celebrate La Merce festival on September 24 with popular traditional activities. 

More than 600 events take place throughout the week, with the presentence of more than 2000 artists, featuring the most traditional ones, listing human tower (castle), Sardana (folk dance), street arts, giant parade and firework at the climax. Additionally, many museums open their door to the public at no cost on September 24, including the most favorited ones in the city such as MNAC, Picasso Museum, Blau Museum, etc. Even though the official feast day is September 24, celebration activities tend to last a week around that. For the full program of La Merce festival, please visit the official website.

BAM Music Festival  

• When: September 21 – September 24
• Where: Various venues through the city

Barcelona Accio Musical (BAM) is a series of outdoor concerts that has been occurring for more than 20 years in Barcelona. The music festival coincides with the La Merce week promises to bring a breath a fresh air to the city with “unique, new and original sounds”. About 40 famous bands and emerging talents, both nationally and internationally, fill up open-air stages across the city with rock, electric and pop and dance performance. 

As from 2015, Marc Campillo, the founder and director of Foehn Records has been directing the festival, BAM festival promises to bring a new wind to the audience with the most extraordinary experimental and imaginative artists. The guest city of BAM this year is Lisbon so be prepared for the best Portuguese music. Remember to visit the official website for program and more details. 

Festa Majors
To celebrate the end of summer, several neighborhoods in Barcelona also organize Festa Major – an annual independent local festival. The most striking traditions are held during the period, including correfoc (evil-dressing with fire run and drum), giants parade, human castle, etc. Despite the fact the workshops and sports activities tend to aim at residents in the neighbor, visitors are always welcomed to visit and experience events. 

Fest Major de La Poble Nou (Sep 7 – Sep 16): workshop, concert, art performance, sports activities, giant parades, correfoc, street foods, etc.

Festa Major de La Barceloneta (late September – early October): Sardana dance, parades, music, outdoor cinema, firework, 24-hour football tournament, etc.

Read more about: Festa Major de La Gracia.

Accommodation in Barcelona

This wonderful Parlament Balconies Apartment in Barcelona features 4 double bedrooms, all with ensuite bathroom and balcony overlooking the street. The common area is composed of a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room for 6 people, a comfortable lounge and a small terrace with an internal view and laundry area. For the full list of holiday apartments in Barcelona, please visit here.