Barcelona unveils the first names and changes for La Mercè 2026

Celler de Gelida opened in 1895 on Vallespir Street and has gone from selling bulk wine to bringing together thousands of references. The establishment has become one of Sants' most recognisable shops and a regular destination for residents, enthusiasts and professionals in the sector.

The opening address will presumably review that family history, but also the changes affecting local commerce. The Falgueras family have indicated that they want to speak about the disappearance of traditional businesses and the difficulty of keeping establishments with decades of history open.

Meritxell Falgueras is a sommelier, journalist and wine specialist. Together with her family, she takes part in the continuity of the business, modernised over recent decades without losing its identity as a neighbourhood wine cellar.

The City Council has also presented the official poster for the festivities, signed by Cinta Vidal. The artist proposes a Barcelona seen from impossible perspectives, with buildings and urban scenes that intersect to show a diverse city in motion.

Another major change will come with the Piromusical. Works on Montjuïc will force the show to move to Bogatell beach, where the seafront will exceptionally replace Reina Maria Cristina Avenue as the closing venue.

Shanghai will be the guest city of this edition, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of its twinning with Barcelona. Its participation will bring Asian cultural and artistic proposals to a festival that incorporates an international perspective every year.

The first image of la Mercè 2026 thus mixes neighbourhood commerce, contemporary art and a closing by the sea. Pending the full programme, the festivities are already sketching new routes between Sants, the centre and the waterfront.