Carnival is synonymous with debauchery and fun. In Andorra, this also means tradition, as this major holiday on the winter calendar includes different festivities that date back many generations. Some have been recovered and reinterpreted, so that their roots would not be forgotten.

The joint Carnival procession of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany is held on Saturday of Carnival and wanders through the shopping district of the two parishes. Carnival troupes, floats, costumes, music, confetti and satire are the ingredients of this celebration that brings together young and old, year after year.

In Encamp the celebration indispensably includes the Judici dels Contrabandistes (roughly, the “Smugglers’ Trial”) and the Ball de l’Óssa (“Dance of the Bear”), which was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Andorra. It is probable that the latter began during the medieval period, though both of these festivities were recovered in 1950 and feature a blend of tradition, music and criticism launched by the young people of the parish.

Monday of Carnival is a holiday in Andorra, yet the shops, restaurants, establishments and tourism services are all open. The illa Carlemany shopping centre even changes its usual schedule so you can thoroughly enjoy all the fashion, food and entertainment it has to offer.

As a result, from Friday to Sunday, the illa Carlemany shops will be open until 9 pm.

Enjoy the Andorran Carnival!