Canillo Brilla Winter Lights Festival Draws 24,000 Visitors in Successful Second Edition

The Comú de Canillo has reported a successful second edition of the Canillo Brilla winter lights festival, which ended on February 1 after attracting 24,029 visitors from its November 30 opening.

The parish council described the event as a consolidating winter highlight, with enhancements such as more participatory spaces, immersive lighting, and improved accessibility. A key change was relocating to the larger Sella parking area, which eased crowd movement, boosted illumination, and enabled new themed zones. Attractions expanded to include five artisan huts, four food trucks, five photocall points, themed areas, and free concerts.

Attendance peaked on calendar highlights: December 7 saw 1,437 visitors, followed by the November 30 launch (1,300), December 6 (1,198), Christmas Day (897), New Year's Day (884), and December 13 (868). One outlet noted the figure was 2,700 below the prior Christmas period, but the council stressed the event's positive trajectory.

While the Comú praised the upgrades, some residents criticised the shift away from the town centre. Several stallholders said they may skip future editions, as their investments did not draw enough interest.

Coia Torres, councillor for Citizen Participation, Communication, and Innovation, called the festival a revitalisation tool. "Canillo Brilla is a recreational event, but also a means to energise the parish with positive social and economic effects," she said. The council intends to build on it in future years.