Andorra 2026time.year navigation.holidays

New Year’s Day, celebrated on January 1st, marks the beginning of the calendar year and is recognized as a public holiday in Andorra, as in many countries around the world. While Andorra is deeply rooted in Catholic traditions, and major religious holidays such as Christmas and Epiphany hold strong cultural importance, New Year’s Day is observed in a more secular and modern way, reflecting broader European customs. In Andorra, the arrival of the new year is typically greeted with celebrations on the night of December 31st, especially in urban centers like Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, where locals and tourists gather for festive dinners, music events, and countdown parties. Restaurants and hotels often host New Year’s Eve dinners (sopar de Cap d’Any), featuring traditional Catalan-Andorran dishes, live entertainment, and sparkling wine to welcome the new year at midnight. As the clock strikes twelve, fireworks light up the mountain skies, and people exchange wishes for “Bon Any Nou” – Happy New Year in Catalan. For many, it's a moment of joy and celebration with family and friends, often accompanied by music, dancing, and toasts with cava (Catalan sparkling wine). On January 1st itself, most businesses are closed, allowing people to rest, gather with loved ones, or enjoy the natural beauty of Andorra’s snow-covered landscapes. Since the country is known for its ski resorts, many choose to spend New Year’s Day on the slopes, blending celebration with outdoor activity. While New Year’s Day in Andorra doesn’t have the deeply traditional or religious customs seen in Christmas or Epiphany, it serves as a time for reflection, renewal, and setting personal goals—much like in other modern societies. In recent years, younger generations have embraced the custom of making New Year’s resolutions, sharing hopes and plans for the year ahead via social media. Thus, in Andorra, New Year’s Day represents a bridge between global contemporary culture and local festive atmosphere, providing a moment of pause and anticipation before the culturally rich and family-centered celebrations of Epiphany that follow shortly after.

Epiphany, celebrated every year on January 6th, is a Christian holiday that commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men—Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar—to the infant Jesus. In Andorra, this day holds deep cultural and spiritual significance and is known locally as “El Dia dels Reis Mags,” or the Day of the Magi. As a small country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, Andorra reflects both Iberian and broader Catholic traditions in its celebration of this special day. The festivities begin on the evening of January 5th, when towns across Andorra come alive with the “Cavalcada dels Reis,” a lively procession in which actors portraying the Three Kings travel through the streets on horses or decorated floats. As they pass, they throw candies and small gifts to the crowds, particularly to the eager children who gather to catch a glimpse of the magical figures. This event creates a fairy-tale-like atmosphere, filling the cold winter night with warmth, joy, and anticipation. While Christmas Day is observed, it is often Epiphany that holds more excitement for children in Andorra. On the night of January 5th, children place their shoes by the window, hoping to receive presents from the Kings. If they’ve been well-behaved, they’ll find sweets and gifts the next morning; if not, there’s a playful tradition of receiving a lump of coal instead. This practice adds a sense of wonder and fun to the season, blending moral lessons with holiday excitement. A beloved culinary tradition on this day is the sharing of the “Roscó de Reis,” a round pastry decorated with colorful candied fruits and sometimes filled with cream. Hidden inside the cake are a tiny figurine and a dried bean. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice is crowned “king” or “queen” for the day and wears a paper crown, while the person who finds the bean is playfully tasked with buying the cake the following year. This simple game adds laughter and delight to family gatherings. In contemporary Andorran society, Epiphany is more than just a religious observance—it is a cultural celebration that brings families and communities together. While rooted in faith, the day has evolved into a warm, family-focused holiday filled with tradition, food, and joy. It contrasts with the introspective tone of New Year’s Day, offering instead a festive close to the holiday season. For locals and visitors alike, Epiphany in Andorra represents a unique blend of history, belief, and community spirit. It is a reminder that even in a rapidly modernizing world, some traditions continue to shine brightly, lighting the way for future generations.

When you think of Andorra in winter, the image that comes to mind is often of snow-dusted peaks, quiet valleys, and crisp mountain air. But between late February and early March, that peaceful picture explodes into a riot of sound, color, and laughter. This is Carnival. Rooted in the Catholic tradition of indulging before the solemn period of Lent, Andorra’s Carnival transforms its towns into living stages. In places like Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany, streets fill with parades where locals and visitors alike don masks, costumes, and infectious smiles. Children flap bright fairy wings or march proudly as superheroes, while adults swirl through the crowds in ornate masks or traditional dress. The beat of the marching bands drives the dancing, and the scent of sizzling street food weaves through the cold alpine air. One of the most iconic traditions is “El Judici del Carnestoltes”, the “Trial of the Carnival Doll.” In a mix of comedy and ritual, the symbolic figure of Carnival is “put on trial,” mocked with humorous jabs about politics or local happenings, and finally burned—a fiery farewell to indulgence before the season of restraint. The celebration may be brief, but its impact is vivid. For a few days, snow-covered Andorra wears the colors of the tropics, and even the mountain winds seem to carry the warmth of music and laughter. For visitors, it’s an unexpected highlight amid ski slopes and winter scenery. For locals, it’s a burst of communal energy, the beating heart of the season before the quiet returns.