Updated Sep 09 2026
The Piromusical de La Mercè, known in English as the La Mercè Pyromusical, is one of the great classics of Barcelona’s festival and, every year, brings several days of concerts, traditions, shows and activities across the city to a close. The pyromusical combines fireworks, music and a spectacular visual production that, for decades, has made it one of the most eagerly awaited events of La Mercè.
However, the La Mercè 2026 Pyromusical will be different from those of recent years. Due to the construction work being carried out around Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc, the show will exceptionally leave its usual location on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina and move to Barcelona’s seafront.
The 2026 edition will take place on Sunday 27 September, from 10:00 pm, in the area of Nova Icària Beach. The fireworks will be launched from the breakwater at Bogatell Beach, creating a completely different setting from the usual one and allowing the show to be viewed from different points along Barcelona’s coastline.
La Mercè 2026 Pyromusical: key information
Date: Sunday 27 September 2026.
Time: 10:00 pm.
Location: Nova Icària Beach and the surrounding Barcelona seafront.
Soundtrack: Musical selection by Josep Montero, lead singer and creative force behind Oques Grasses.
Fireworks: Pirotècnia Igual.
€ Price: Free.
Approximate duration: 30 minutes.
Access: No specific opening time has been announced. Given the large crowds expected, it is recommended to arrive well in advance to find a good spot.
What is the La Mercè Pyromusical?
The Piromusical is much more than a fireworks display. Its defining feature is the synchronisation of music and pyrotechnics, traditionally combined with other visual elements. For much of its history, the water of the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc was also one of its key features, accompanying the music and fireworks to create a particularly spectacular show.
The result is a show designed to be experienced as a whole. The musical selection sets the rhythm and character of each section, while the pyrotechnics adapt their effects, intensity and timing to the soundtrack. In recent decades, some editions have also incorporated large screens and other audiovisual elements into the production.
The show was traditionally held on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, with the Venetian Towers, the Palau Nacional and the Magic Fountain providing the backdrop. This setting is precisely one of the reasons why the Piromusical has become one of the most recognisable images of Barcelona’s festival.
Information about this year’s La Mercè Pyromusical
The main new feature of the 2026 Pyromusical will be its change of location. Construction work being carried out at the Fira de Barcelona site in Montjuïc means the show will move to the seafront, in an exceptional change affecting one of the most traditional events of La Mercè.
The show will take place on Sunday 27 September at 10:00 pm. The audience will be able to watch from the area around Nova Icària Beach and from different points along the seafront, while the fireworks will be launched from the breakwater between Nova Icària and Bogatell Beach.
This change means that there is no point heading to Montjuïc this year to watch the Pyromusical. For anyone who has attended previous editions, this is probably the most important practical detail to bear in mind when planning the final night of La Mercè.
The show will last approximately 30 minutes, so it is expected to finish at around 10:30 pm.
What music will be played at the 2026 Pyromusical?
The soundtrack for the 2026 Pyromusical will be curated by Josep Montero, lead singer and creative force behind Oques Grasses. For the fourth year running, the organisers have chosen to entrust the musical selection to a guest artist or project, a formula that began in 2023 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Sónar festival.
In 2024, Rosalía selected the music for the show, while in 2025 the responsibility fell to Estopa. Josep Montero now takes over for a particularly significant year for Oques Grasses, who are preparing to bid farewell to the stage with several concerts at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys just a few weeks later.
The exact selection of songs for 2026 has not yet been made public. Montero himself has revealed that it will be an eclectic selection, open to different styles and sensibilities, with a strong presence of music in Catalan.
Anyone looking for a definitive song list should therefore bear in mind that, at the time of publication, the full setlist is still being kept secret. The musical mix will be created by sound technician and designer Marçal Cruz of Oido studio, while Pirotècnia Igual will be responsible for designing the fireworks synchronised with the music.
History of the La Mercè Pyromusical
Although fireworks have long been part of Barcelona’s popular celebrations, the Piromusical as we know it today reached a major turning point in 1995. That year, the Magic Fountain became one of the show’s main features, consolidating the combination of water, light, music and pyrotechnics that would eventually become one of La Mercè’s defining traditions.
The 1995 edition was notable for one of the most curious moments in the show’s history. More than 250,000 sparklers were lit by the spectators themselves, creating a spectacular carpet of light between Avinguda de Maria Cristina and Plaça d’Espanya. The initiative even made it into the Guinness Book of Records.
Since then, the Piromusical has repeatedly used the show to reference important events in the city and in Catalonia. The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the Universal Forum of Cultures, episodes from the history of Catalonia and various anniversaries have all found their way into the show’s narrative.
In 2004, for example, the production was exceptionally moved to Port Vell, where the pyrotechnics were placed on several boats, forming a wide arc across the water. In other editions, the city’s history, cultural events or major anniversaries have provided the central theme.
In more recent years, the Piromusical has also evolved artistically. New audiovisual possibilities have been added to the traditional fireworks and, since 2023, a particularly interesting formula has been introduced: entrusting the musical selection to a guest artist, group or festival.
Where will the La Mercè Pyromusical 2026 be held?
In 2026, the usual point of reference changes completely. The show will not be held on Avinguda de Maria Cristina. Instead, it will exceptionally move to Barcelona’s seafront because of the construction work at Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc.
The main public viewing area will be around Nova Icària Beach, while the fireworks will be launched from the breakwater at Bogatell Beach. This new layout offers several possibilities for watching the show, as the seafront provides a much wider area than the traditional setting on Avinguda de Maria Cristina.
What is the best place to watch the Pyromusical?
The answer will depend on what you are looking for. If you want to be as close as possible to the main show area, Nova Icària Beach is one of the key spots. You will also be able to watch it from other parts of the seafront, particularly around Bogatell, although the view of the launch area may be different.
One of the advantages of this new location is precisely that there is no longer a need to concentrate everyone along a single axis, as happened on Avinguda de Maria Cristina. The seafront allows the audience to spread out across different points along the promenade and beaches.
In any case, it is best not to arrive at the last minute. Although the show is free and takes place in a public space, it is one of the busiest events of La Mercè. We recommend arriving at least one hour early, especially if you want to be at the front or are coming as a group.
Map of the La Mercè 2026 Pyromusical
On the following map, you can locate Nova Icària Beach, the area around Bogatell Beach, the breakwater from which the fireworks will be launched and the main access routes to the seafront.
Important: as mentioned earlier, the La Mercè Pyromusical is changing location this year and will not take place on Avinguda de Maria Cristina.
How to get to the La Mercè 2026 Pyromusical
Given the large crowds expected, using public transport is the best option and travelling by car should be avoided. If you are coming from outside Barcelona and choose to drive, it will probably be best to park further away and then continue by whichever form of public transport is most convenient.
By metro
The Nova Icària area is mainly served by metro line L4. Useful stations include Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica and Bogatell, depending on exactly where you want to go.
Bear in mind that nearby stations may become very crowded after the Pyromusical. It may be best to walk a few minutes inland before entering the metro.
By tram
Another option is the T4 Trambesòs tram line, with a stop at Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica, followed by a short walk to the seafront.
Bear in mind that nearby stops may become very crowded after the Pyromusical. It may be best to walk a few minutes inland before boarding the tram.
By bus
Bus routes serving the Nova Icària area include H16, V23, V27 and 59. Services and routes may be modified or reinforced for La Mercè, so we recommend checking the public transport situation on the day of the show.
By car or motorbike
If you are travelling by your own vehicle, a motorbike is probably the better option. If you are driving, we recommend avoiding it where possible, as there are likely to be road closures and very large crowds, which could cause major traffic and mobility problems.
Tips for enjoying the La Mercè Pyromusical
The change of location means that some of the usual tips for the Pyromusical also need to change. This year, planning your journey in advance will be particularly important.
First of all, do not head up to Montjuïc expecting the show to take place there. The 2026 edition is moving to the seafront.
We also recommend arriving in good time. Arriving an hour early is a sensible rule of thumb for those who want to find a good spot, although anyone who simply wants to enjoy the show from a quieter area can arrive a little later.
After the fireworks, be patient. Thousands of people will leave the beaches and seafront at the same time, so the metro stations and main exit routes are likely to be very busy.
Finally, remember that this is a nighttime show by the sea. It can get cooler towards the end of September, so a light layer can be useful, especially if you are planning to wait around for some time before the show begins.
Frequently asked questions about the La Mercè Pyromusical
When is the La Mercè Pyromusical 2026?
The La Mercè Pyromusical 2026 will take place on Sunday 27 September 2026.
What time does the Pyromusical start?
The show will start at 10:00 pm and will last approximately 30 minutes.
Where is the Pyromusical held?
The 2026 edition is moving to Barcelona’s seafront. The main viewing area will be around Nova Icària Beach, while the fireworks will be launched from the Bogatell breakwater.
Is the La Mercè Pyromusical free?
Yes. The Pyromusical is part of the La Mercè programme and is a free show.
What songs will be played at the 2026 Pyromusical?
The musical selection will be curated by Josep Montero of Oques Grasses. The full setlist has not yet been released, although it has been announced that it will be an eclectic selection with a strong presence of music in Catalan.
Can the Pyromusical be seen from Bogatell Beach?
Yes. The fireworks will be launched from the Bogatell breakwater, and the show can be seen from different points along the seafront. The view will vary depending on where you watch it from.
The Piromusical, the grand finale of La Mercè
Beyond the fireworks, the Piromusical has a special place in La Mercè: it is the event that brings Barcelona’s festival to a close. After several days of concerts, traditional culture, family activities, street performances and events taking place across the city, thousands of people gather to look up at the sky during the final minutes of the celebrations.
In 2026, they will be watching from a completely different setting. Moving the show to Nova Icària Beach makes this edition a unique experience and, for one year at least, breaks with the classic image of the spectacle in front of the Magic Fountain and Palau Nacional.
Josep Montero’s musical selection adds another point of interest to this year’s edition. Following Sónar, Rosalía and Estopa, the Oques Grasses musician will provide the soundtrack for the closing of La Mercè with a selection that, for now, is keeping many of its surprises under wraps.
All of this makes the La Mercè 2026 Pyromusical a particularly interesting event both for those who experience the festival every year and for visitors to Barcelona who want to attend one of the city’s most popular free public shows.