Christmas Fair
From 4 to 8 December, Ordino dresses up to celebrate its traditional Christmas Fair. For five days, the streets and squares of the historic centre are transformed into an Alpine-style Christmas market, with wooden stalls, local crafts and food, music and activities for all the family.
Every corner has its own charm. Major Square, crowned by a huge Christmas tree, is the meeting point par excellence. In Closa Square, the food stalls await with cheeses and cured meats from the Pyrenees, local wines, cava, neules (traditional rolled wafers) and nougat, plus warming treats such as hot chocolate, mulled wine and freshly made waffles. And on Major Street, the craft stalls offer everything from Christmas decorations to woollen accessories.
The festivities continue with a programme of activities for all ages: the lighting of the Christmas lights, carol singing by local choirs and groups, treasure hunts to find the Tió (the Catalan Christmas log), storytelling sessions and workshops. To round off your visit, discover the Casa d’Areny-Plandolit Museum, with free admission during the fair, and the Miniature Museum. The perfect opportunity to stroll at a leisurely pace and soak up the atmosphere of a genuine mountain village in the days leading up to the holidays.
The Ordino She-Bear
On 8 December, folk culture takes centre stage with the performance of The Ordino She-Bear (L’Ossa d’Ordino) in Prat de Call Square. Performed by the Ordino Folk Culture Association, this burlesque farce satirises the power relations of traditional rural society and humorously parodies local current affairs. Through witty dialogue, songs and mix-ups, the story follows the adventures of a she-bear and a group of mowers with little desire to work, right up to the capture of the animal and the final group dance.
The Ordino She-Bear is part of the Bear Festivities in the Pyrenees, inscribed in 2022 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and has been declared a festival of cultural interest by the Government of Andorra. A living tradition not to be missed!
The Tió, Father Christmas and the Three Kings
The magic continues throughout the festive season. On 24 December, Major Square becomes the meeting point for children: at 11 am, young and old will make the Tió “poop” out presents all together, and at 6 pm Father Christmas will arrive to greet the children and collect their letters.
On 5 January at 7 pm, the Three Kings will arrive at the Ordino Congress Centre with a performance of the Festa de Reis (Three Kings’ Pageant). Afterwards, the procession will make its way down to Major Square, where Their Majesties will welcome the children and everyone will be treated to tortell (the traditional ring-shaped Kings’ cake) and hot chocolate.
