La Mercè 2026: Free Access to Museums and Cultural Sites

On Thursday 24 September 2026, Barcelona will mark its annual festival La Mercè with a citywide open day at museums and cultural institutions. Many venues, including the Sagrada Família and Palau Güell, will offer free entry to the public, with some requiring advance registration. The event coincides with the main festivities of La Mercè, Barcelona’s largest street festival, and aims to make cultural heritage accessible to all. A number of institutions will also host special events in the days leading up to and following the main day.

Sagrada Família Offers 20,000 Free Tickets via Lottery

The Sagrada Família will open its doors for free from 24 to 27 September, offering a total of 20,000 tickets through a public lottery. Interested visitors can register via a form on sagradafamilia.org from 14 September until 20 September at 21:00. Winners will be notified from 20 September and will receive four tickets each. Entry is required for all visitors aged three and over. Access will be via Carrer de la Marina. Visiting hours during the open days are:

  • 24 September (Thursday): 16:00–20:00
  • 25 September (Friday): 16:00–20:00
  • 26 September (Saturday): 15:00–18:00
  • 27 September (Sunday): 16:00–20:00

Palau Güell and Other Institutions Open Free of Charge

Palau Güell will offer free entry on 24 September as part of its annual open days, which also include Catalonia’s National Day (11 September), Sant Jordi (23 April), Santa Eulàlia (12 February), and the first Sunday of each month. Reservations must be made in advance via www.palauguell.cat. Other venues offering free access on 24 September include:

  • Museu de Ciències Naturals Jardí Botànic
  • Pavelló Mies van der Rohe
  • Museu d’Història de Catalunya
  • Fundació Miró
  • MACBA (Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art)
  • Museu Picasso
  • Museu Marítim and Pailebot Santa Eulàlia
  • Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya
  • Museu Etnològic i Cultures del món (Montjuïc and Carrer Montcada locations)
  • Biblioteca Pública Arús
  • Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
  • Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona

Most sites will be open from 10:00 to 20:00, though some have shorter hours. The Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya, for example, will close at 14:30.

Special Offers and Ongoing Updates

The Moco Museum Barcelona is offering free entry to anyone named Mercè, Mercedes, or Merche, with 2-for-1 entry for others. The Espai Bombers – Parc de la Prevenció will be open from 23 to 28 September. Some venues, including Can Framis and Espai Volart, have not yet confirmed their participation for 24 September, with official sources noting the date as pending. The city’s official agenda will be updated regularly with confirmed hours and booking details. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, residents and visitors are advised to check individual institution websites.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, Betevé.