Barcelona bids farewell to La Mercè with 200,000 people at the Nova Icària firework show

The firework show relocated to Nova Icària beach due to works on María Cristina avenue attracted around 200,000 people, according to the city hall. The festivities were held without major incidents.

The firework show that marked the end of La Mercè festivities gathered around 200,000 people at Nova Icària beach, according to data provided by the Barcelona City Council. The show, which combines fireworks and music, was moved this year from its usual location on María Cristina avenue due to ongoing works on this road.

The music was provided by the Catalan group Oques Grasses, and the audience packed the city's coastline to enjoy the show from the front line of the sea. Municipal sources have positively assessed the day's developments and highlighted that the festivities, which began last Wednesday, were held without major incidents to report.

The city council has emphasised this calm balance, a situation that has not always been the case in previous editions of the major festival. The coincidence of the firework show with the weekend facilitated a large influx of people to the maritime front.

This year's official programme was once again held without religious events, a decision that has been maintained for 12 consecutive years. This measure was initiated by former mayor Ada Colau and has been upheld by her successor, Jaume Collboni.

Despite the absence of these events in the municipal programme, the Archdiocese of Barcelona did organise the holy mass, the floral offering, and the procession of the Virgin of Mercy, which were attended by hundreds of faithful. The patron saint of the city lends her name to festivities that have once again filled the streets and beaches for five days this year.

"The city has responded, and we have been able to enjoy a closure of the festivities without serious incidents," stated sources from the Barcelona City Council.

With the firework show on Sunday, September 27, Barcelona concludes this year's edition of La Mercè. The next major festival will take place in September 2027, when the city council will have to decide whether to maintain the beach format or return to María Cristina avenue once the works are completed.