23 – 28 September 2025
XTRAX is proud to have secured Manchester as Guest City for La Mercè, Barcelona’s biggest festival, in September 2025.
La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest annual outdoor festival, featuring street arts from around the world in the MAC (Mercè Arts de Carrer), music of all styles and genres in BAM (Música Mercè), and a huge traditional culture programme including music, dance, fireworks, the famous human towers (the Castells), and enormous parades.
Every year a Guest City is featured in the Mercè, and this year we are delighted that it will be our home city of Manchester. XTRAX is working with the organisers at La Mercè and colleagues at Without Walls to present a selection of some of the most exciting street arts, music and art from Manchester at the festival in Barcelona from 23 – 28 September 2025.
We are pleased to confirm the Manchester Guest City programme, which includes several NEW commissions and work created especially to celebrate Manchester at La Mercè.
The full programme for La Mercè in Barcelona will be announced in September 2025 and will include more than 100 companies from around the world.
On 25 and 26 September 2025, to accompany this very special programme, we are organising Professional Meetings and Networking Events for promoters, producers and professionals working in festivals and outdoor arts.
The theme of the Professional Programme is: Community, diversity, and representation in public space.
Friday 26 September 2025: 09.30 – 17.30, Palau Robert, Barcelona. Panel discussions you won’t want to miss!
Professional Programme Details and Register Now to attend
Thursday 25 September 2025: Unlimited introduce its work and that of selected disabled artists. For this event, email bron@weareunlimited.org.uk
Find out more about La Mercè here.
Manchester at La Mercè media release 24.07.25.
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La Mercè is delivered by ICUB/Barcelona City Council
The programme for Manchester as Guest City is led by XTRAX and Without Walls
The music programme is presented by Manchester Music City, led by Brighter Sound.
Supported by Manchester City Council, Arts Council England and Unlimited
In collaboration with ICEC/Catalan Arts, British Council and British Embassy in Spain.
