La Mercè and back-to-school in Barcelona 2026: the September guide for newcomers

September in Barcelona has a rhythm of its own. The city fills up again after the summer, classes start, offices come back to life and, right in the middle of all that, the city's Festa Major arrives: La Mercè. If you have just moved in (or are about to) to a short-term rental in the city, this month is probably the best possible introduction to life in Barcelona. Here is everything you need to know so you don't miss a thing.

La Mercè 2026: dates and what you can't miss

La Mercè 2026 will run from 23 to 27 September, with Shanghai as this year's guest city. Five days in which Barcelona turns into one continuous stage:

• 109 free concerts across the whole city, split between the Música Mercè programme (34 larger-format concerts) and BAM – Barcelona Acció Musical (39 concerts with emerging and independent-circuit artists), plus the Acció Cultura Viva programme.
• 11 album launches by artists using the city's main festival to release new material.
• Five exclusive productions, among them "La Barcelona Flamenca", created specifically for the festival.
• The Piromusical, the great fireworks-and-music show by the sea that closes the festival on the final night, is still the biggest crowd-puller and the best possible finale if this is your first Mercè.

If you're staying in a short-term flat near the centre (Ciutat Vella, Eixample or along the seafront), most of the stages will be within walking distance. We recommend checking the official programme in the weeks beforehand, since exact times and locations for each concert are confirmed as the dates approach.

Back to school: key dates

If you're moving with children or simply want to plan your own calendar around the academic year, these are the reference dates for Catalonia in 2026-2027:

• ESO and Bachillerato (secondary education): start on 10 September 2026.
• Vocational training (Formación Profesional): starts on 15 September 2026.
• Pre-school and primary education usually start very close to the ESO dates, although each school may vary slightly.

As every year, we recommend confirming the exact dates for your school or district in the official Departament d'Educació calendar, as there may be last-minute adjustments. If you're coming from abroad, bear in mind that September is also when most university and postgraduate programmes begin, so it's a particularly busy month for enrolment and accommodation paperwork.

Tips if you've just arrived

September packs in house moves, new contracts, first days of school and, on top of all that, the city's main festival. To enjoy it without the stress:

• Sort out the paperwork early. Registering your address (empadronamiento), signing up at your local health centre or dealing with NIE formalities are best started in the first few weeks, before appointments fill up with the general September rush.
• Make the most of short-term rental flexibility. If you're still not sure which neighbourhood you want to settle in long term, a seasonal contract lets you live somewhere for a few months, really get to know it during La Mercè and the start of the school year, and decide with better judgement afterwards.
• Get out into the streets during those five days. Even if you're halfway through a move or a pile of paperwork, La Mercè is the best way to feel that you're already part of the city: no plan needed, just walk through the centre and let the music take you.
   

At aTemporal we know September is one of the busiest months for anyone arriving in Barcelona for work, study or a change of life. That's why our short-term rental apartments are designed so you can settle in fast, with no long-term ties, and with the city —festivals included— ready to discover from day one.