Festes de la Merce

Festes de la Merce in Barcelona and San Isidro in MadridLa Merce, Barcelona's biggest annual festival, takes place on 24th September and lasts for around 3 days. This is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. During this festival, fire-breathing dragons, costumed devils, human pyramids, Sardana dance groups, orchestras, DJs and big-name bands converge on Barcelona.San Isidro is the patron saint of the peasants and is also the patron saint of Madrid. Madrid's main annual festival includes nine days of celebrations as well as the start of the capital's bullfighting season. During these days of celebration many cultural events are offered to the people: contests of "chotis" (Madrid's traditional dance), concerts of folk music, craftsmanship fairs, etc.