Andorra la Vella's Comú Praises Successful 10th Poblet de Nadal

Andorra la Vella's Comú has delivered a positive review of the 10th Poblet de Nadal, which ran from 28 November to 5 January and concluded on Monday. Cònsol Menor Olalla Losada presented the assessment on Thursday, emphasising high family participation in new features amid uneven trader performance.

Attendance figures highlight the appeal to families. The Trenet dels Desitjos, which connected sites across the parish and expanded the Christmas village beyond Plaça del Poble, sold around 9,500 tickets and acted as a central link for activities. La Ciutat dels Contes immersive experience attracted about 6,000 visitors, while workshops and the carousel together drew nearly 2,000 tickets—the carousel alone registering close to 1,200. Roaming shows and enhanced lighting on Avinguda Meritxell pulled crowds to upper areas, and the Neuret venue succeeded as a hub for local music. The Central Park maze, targeted at youth, fell short of expectations, drawing families with young children instead.

Losada reported favourable on-site feedback from visitors, traders, and partners. The Comú is gathering data and plans stallholder surveys to identify refinements, such as stall placements mixing random and product-based criteria to reduce competition. Parish-wide footfall increased over last year, though sales varied: some traders surpassed targets, others lagged. "There has been a bit of everything," she summarised.

Popular participatory elements included the Bola de Nadal with 159 invitations, Joc dels Menairons distributing 189 items, nearly 1,800 letters to the Menairons at the Oficina Màgica de Correus plus 480 in an external box, and 1,800 Tió de Nadal candy bags. New cultural ties featured Enigma al Museu at Bici Lab Andorra, engaging 33 families (142 people total) with cycling prizes worth 650 euros.

The event broadened Andorra la Vella's visitor base, moving from an adult focus to stronger family draw. Looking ahead, Losada stressed greater local involvement: "We need to take another turn to excite residents so they feel the Poblet is truly theirs and not just a tourist product." Ideas include family scavenger hunts and resident discounts, with potential adjustments to stall hours based on surveys—though morning openings lack sufficient data.