Andorra's 2026 Carnival: Canillo Hosts Full Festivities Amid Andorra la Vella Cancellation

Canillo parish will host its 2026 Carnival celebrations from February 13 to 17, featuring parades, music, family shows and traditional rituals for residents and visitors alike.

The festivities kick off on Friday February 13 with a Batucada performance by the French School, followed by the schools' parade at 11am and children's activities at Plaça del Prat del Riu. The day closes with a musical act by the Bandeta at Plaça de Sant Serni. Saturday February 14 highlights include the 3:45pm hanging of King Carnival, the 3:30pm Arlequins parade with groups, bands and Canillo’s Band, plus costume contests and live music. Sunday February 15 brings the family-oriented Bruno i Xocolata show. Monday February 16 features the trial and burning of King Carnival, ending with a botifarrada barbecue at Plaça del Telecabina. Tuesday February 17 concludes with children's games, inflatables and music at Plaça del Prat del Riu.

Authorities across parishes have warned of traffic disruptions from school parades and major events between Friday and Monday. In Canillo, the schools' parade and Arlequins event will impact local routes, with full details still forthcoming.

Andorra la Vella has suspended its inter-school parade, originally planned for Friday at 10:45am from Avinguda Santa Coloma 93 to Avinguda Enclar 21. The fairy-tale themed event, expecting nearly 2,300 participants from schools including Escola Andorrana d’Andorra la Vella, Col·legi Maria Janer, Col·legi Sant Ermengol, Escola Francesa d’Andorra la Vella, Escola Francesa de Santa Coloma, British College of Andorra, plus nurseries Conxita Mora Jordana, Santa Coloma and Fundació Privada Meritxell, was cancelled due to forecasts of rain and low temperatures to prioritise child safety. Schools will run indoor activities instead. Traffic along Avinguda Santa Coloma and Enclar—between Carrer Prat Salit and Carrer Camp Bastida—had been set for closure from 10am to noon, with detours via Avinguda Tarragona and Salou.

Joint events with Escaldes-Engordany continue as scheduled: Friday's 7pm King Carnival hanging at Avinguda Meritxell 97—crafted by children from Ludoteca de Santa Coloma—plus the Passarel·la extravagant show by Xtravaganxa; Saturday's 6pm Gran Rua from Parc de la Mola through Carrer de la Constitució, Avinguda Carlemany and Avinguda Meritxell to Plaça del Poble, with Bloco Sambara batucada, followed by a botifarrada, choreography contest (prizes: €800/€650/€450 for groups, €300 family; €500/€400/€300 for choreography) and awards at Auditori del Centre de Congressos. Expect diversions along Avinguda Meritxell from La Rotonda to Plaça Príncep Benlloch, plus adjacent streets, until 8:45pm. Monday's 5pm Festa sobre rodes by Més Tumàcat runs from Plaça Coprínceps to Plaça de l’Església. Tuesday brings the 7pm trial and 7:45pm burning at Plaça Coprínceps, with performances by Esbart Santa Anna and Esbart Dansaire. A calçotada on February 22 at Carrer dels Veedors costs €8.

Other parishes confirm: Sant Julià de Lòria's Friday 10:15am school parade (515 participants) from Escola Francesa via Carrer Dr. Palau, Avinguda Verge de Canòlich and Plaça Francesc Cairat to Plaça de la Germandat, plus Sunday 6:30pm Gran Rua; Encamp's Saturday 3pm carrosse parade and Monday 3:45pm Ball de l’Ossa along Avinguda de Joan Martí; La Massana's Friday 10:15am Gran Rua Infantil (850 pupils) closing Carrer Major until noon and Avinguda Sant Antoni 10:45-11:30am, with detours via Anyós; Ordino's Friday 10-11am school parade from Plaça Prat de Call via Carrer Major, affecting bus services briefly. Most parishes note short, event-tied closures and urge drivers to plan routes. Other Friday events await final weather checks.