Andorra la Vella and Ordino Gear Up for Vibrant Sant Joan and Sant Pere Fire Festivals

Andorra la Vella and Ordino are finalising preparations for their traditional Sant Joan and Sant Pere celebrations later this month, featuring fire rituals, music, dances and family activities centred on community heritage and youth involvement.

In Andorra la Vella, the Sant Joan vigil on 23 June starts at 19:00 with fire group representatives collecting the Flama del Canigó at Casa de la Vall. The Centre de la Cultura Catalana, Associació Fallaires d’Andorra la Vella and Taula Nacional de Fallaires d’Andorra are organising the event, which includes the 2025 fallaire tribute and handover of the major fallaire of the Valls d’Andorra and minor fallaire of Andorra la Vella, with music from the Andorra la Vella Conservatory Band.

Fire rituals begin at 22:30 with the traditional falla burning in the Puial neighbourhood, followed by a 23:00 procession through the Historic Centre led by local fallaires and Puial residents. The evening culminates at midnight in Plaça Guillemó with a bonfire lighting, Esbart Dansaire d’Andorra la Vella's Ball de Bruixes, a folk concert by Fenya Rai! and free coca de Sant Joan for all.

The Festa del Poble on 24 June returns to the renovated Plaça del Poble, opening at 10:00 with outdoor barre classes, children's workshops, giant traditional games and two large water slides on Carrer Doctor Vilanova. Discounted entry is available to the Serradells outdoor pool. A solemn mass at Sant Esteve church at 11:30 features the Conservatory Orchestra and Petits Cantors del Principat d’Andorra, followed by sardanes with Cobla Bellpuig at noon and a popular arrossada at 13:30 (tickets €2, available at La Llacuna cultural centre or on-site). The afternoon offers a youth urban gymkhana for ages 12-20 and the 17:30 presentation of new giant figures Cuca and Isard, created by young students from the Escola d’Art. Fireworks light up at 22:00, with Banda Neon performing from 22:30.

Ordino receives the Flama del Canigó at noon on 23 June at the comú, with youth from the Festes Commission escorting it to Andorra la Vella as a preview of the parish's 2026 hosting role.

Ordino's Sant Pere festivities on 28-29 June expect nearly 200 participants, including around 100 fallaires, 40 light fallaires, 60 fire fallaires, 20 dancers, 12 musicians and 20 helpers—a rise driven by growing youth participation through school outreach in Ordino and Alt Urgell, supported by musician Ivan Caro. Ferran Mata of Associació de Cultura Popular d’Ordino highlighted the increase, particularly among younger groups handling light falles.

On 28 June, the day opens at noon in Prat de Vilella car park with Mai pole planting and an open dance by Esbart Valls del Nord. A costellada in Plaça Prat del Call at 20:30 offers 500 portions for €6 (tickets at Ordino Tourist Office or comú services). Fire events start at 22:30 in Plaça Major with fallaire dances, light and fire displays, and a street procession to Prat de Vilella, featuring Dansa sota la lluna de Sorteny by Esbart Valls del Nord, traditional falla and Mai burnings, and live music from Trio Daura. On 29 June, a 12:00 mass at Sant Pere del Serrat chapel is followed by a popular aperitiu (€3.50 if spaces remain).

Councillors Mònica Armengol and Meritxell Rabadà emphasised the events' role in building community ties and identity. Escaldes-Engordany hosts its own Sant Joan fires on 23 June from Plaça Santa Anna, with prior workshops from 15-19 June and a 21 June rehearsal at Plaça Coprínceps, including a falla burning and performances by fallaires, mini-fallaires, bruixes and dimonis along key streets.