Women in colourful, traditional clothing dance joyfully in a street parade, holding decorated sticks above their heads, with a crowd of spectators and historic buildings in the background.

A festive parade with people dressed in colourful outfits surrounds a tall, elaborate puppet figure in a decorated dress. Flags are waved amid a crowd on a city street with historic buildings in the background.

A lively street parade with dancers in colourful traditional costumes, waving yellow ribbons, performing in front of a grand building whilst a crowd of onlookers watches.

A large, colourful bee puppet is paraded by performers through a crowd in front of a historic building during a lively outdoor festival at night.

A group of women in colourful traditional Indian dresses pose together on a lively, decorated street during a parade or festival, with crowds and performers in the background.

Aerial view of a modern city with a tall glass skyscraper in the foreground; XTRAX is written in bold white letters across the centre of the image.

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A lasting legacy: Manchester at La Mercè 2025

XTRAX and Without Walls were proud to secure Manchester as Guest City for La Mercè, Barcelona’s biggest festival, last September 2025.
#MCRxLaMerce2025

Dates: These events took place from 23 - 28 September 2025, Barcelona

#MCRxLaMerce took place from 23 – 28 Sept 2025, Barcelona.

La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest annual outdoor festival, a huge traditional culture programme including street arts, music, dance, fireworks, the famous human towers (the Castells), and enormous parades.

Every year a Guest City is featured in La Mercè, and for 2025 we were delighted that it was awarded to the city of Manchester, UK.

2 cities. 6 days of events. Over 2 million visitors.

Street arts, music and a cultural bond that’s here to stay.

HIGHLIGHTS – SHORT FILM: Manchester at La Mercè 2025

Manchester at La Mercè 2025 produced by XTRAX, and co-curated by Without Walls, dazzled over 2 million people as the streets in Barcelona pulsed with energy. This landmark cultural collaboration brought two powerhouse cities together, in a spectacular celebration of free outdoor performance, creativity, diversity, and artistic innovation, in public spaces throughout Barcelona from 23 – 28 September 2025.

13 street arts projects
100+ artists
64 performances
6 new commissions
2 days of international street arts meetings for promoters, producers and artists
100 delegates from 10 countries
A music programme presented by Manchester Music City, led by Brighter Sound

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, attended the festival and said: “Manchester is proud to have been the Guest City at La Mercè 2025. We’ve had the support of many, including the British Embassy and Consul General, who have helped make this possible. It has been fantastic to see Manchester artists perform in Barcelona, building connections that will have a lasting legacy here and back home in Manchester.”

Maggie Clarke, Director of Manchester-based XTRAX, added: “We are thrilled that Manchester was selected as Guest City for La Mercè, Barcelona’s famous annual outdoor festival. We’ve worked closely with Barcelona City Council, the British Council, and the British Embassy in Spain – and importantly, we’ll be welcoming artists from Barcelona to join us at Manchester Day in July 2026. This is a genuine, long-term city-to-city collaboration.”

If you entered the feedback survey during Manchester at La Mercè in Barcelona from 23 – 28 September 2025…The winner of the prize draw will be announced very soon. (2 x flights BCN-MCR & 2 nights hotel – Manchester Day July 26)