CHRISTMAS EVE CELEBRATION OF LESSONS AND CAROLS. Sunday, 24th December at 18h in La Massana Parish Church (organised by St George’s Church, Andorra.) Traditional Christmas Celebration of Lessons and Carols with Christingles for the children, accompanied from the organ loft by the talented Robert Bailey. The celebration will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies for all, in the square outside.

MISSES DE GALL (Cockerel/Midnight Masses around Andorra

SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER at MIDNIGHT

In the Church of Sant Serni, Canillo.

At the church of Sant Eulalia, Encamp the parish priest will be offering the traditional Missa de Gall. The Mass, held in commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. At the end of the Mass coca cake and hot wine will be shared with all.

Church of Sant Pere, Pas de la Casa. The parish priest will be offering the traditional Missa de Gall, the religious service held in commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. At the end of the Mass coca cake and hot wine will be shared with all.

At the Church of Ordino followed by hot wine, chocolate and coca cake

At the Church of Sant Iscle and Santa Victòria, La Massana accompanied by la Coral Sant Antoni de La Massana.

At the Church of Sant Esteve, Andorra la Vella, probably accompanied by the Orfeó Andorrà.

At the Church of Sant Julià followed by xurros and hot chocolate.

At the Church of Sant Pere Màrtir, Escaldes-Engordany probably accompanied by the Escaldes-Engordany parish choir. Afterwards there will be hot wine and coca cake.

MUSIC

Christmas performance by the pupils of the Escola de Música de les Valls del Nord Thursday, 21st December at 18h in the Teatre de les Fontetes, La Massana. (Free)

Concert by the Cor Roc d’Ecamp, Escola Andorrana. Friday, 22nd December at 21.30h at the Andorra Congress Centre, Ordino.

Carol concert with the choirs of Sant Antoni & Les Orenetes of La Massana. Saturday, 23rd December at 20h in the parish church of Sant Iscle and Santa Victòria, La Massana. (Free)

MUSIC AT THE POBLET DE NADAL,

(CHRISTMAS VILLAGE).

(All in the Plaça del Poble, Andorra la Vella.)

FRIDAY, 22nd December 17h Lady Scarlett trio.18h Virtus Musicae. 19h B Sharp.

SATURDAY, 23rd December: 17h Coral Gent Gran.18h Think Twice Band.19h White Heaven.

ARRIVAL OF PARE NOEL/FATHER CHRISTMAS AND HIS ELVES.

SUNDAY, 24th December

CANILLO at 18h They will leave by sled from the Cable Car car park and travel to the Palau de Gel Ice rink. There, at 18.15h, there will be An Ice Show by the Andorra Ice Skating Club followed by Father Christmas greeting all the children.

ENCAMP starting at 18h. One of the most traditional events of Christmas is the Father Christmas Cavalcade which takes place through the streets of Encamp. Arriving in the Plaça dels Arínsols Santa Claus receives all the children’s letters full of good wishes and requests for dream presents.

PAS DE LA CASA at 20h One of the most traditional events of Christmas is the Father Christmas Cavalcade which takes place through the streets of Pas de la Casa. Arriving in the Sala de festes of the Sports Centre Santa Claus receives all the children’s letters full of good wishes and requests for dream presents.

ORDINO from 18h – 19.30 Father Christmas will be in the Plaça Major.

LA MASSANA at 17h Father Christmas will receive all the children from the parish in the special marquee in the Plaça de les Fontetes.

ANDORRA LA VELLA from 16h Father Christmas will set out in his carriage from La Margineda and Santa Coloma. At 17h  he will arrive via the C de l’Unio passing through the Av de Merixell, the Rotonda, Ave de Meritxell again, the Plaça Guillemó, C. Príncep Benlloc at the Poble de Nadal at around 18h where he will receive the children’s letters.

Sant Julià de Lòria (time not given) at the Casa Comuna

ESCALDES-ENGORDANY Father Christmas, as is traditional, will visit the parish so that all the children can give him their letters and spend a little time with him. He and his retinue will start from Av Carlemany, at (sadly, no time given), and go up by Vivand until the Av. Pont de la Tosca where they’ll turn round and follow Av Copricep DeGaulle, Av del Pessbre, Av de les Escoles, C/ del Parnal, C/ del Prat Gran finally arriving at the Plaça Coprínceps where Santa Claus will collect the letters of all the children who want to give them to him in person.

OTHER CHRISTMAS EVENTS

The Advent Calendar Until 24th December at 18h in the Plaça del Consell, Encamp and the Plaça de l’Església, Pas de la Casa.. Each evening a new window will be opened and small children will be given sweets to remind them that there is one less day to wait until Christmas when they will receive presents from Father Christmas. This tradition has its origins in the 1920s, when Advent Calendars had 24 windows with a little piece of chocolate hidden behind each one.

FATHER CHRISTMAS AT VALLNORD SKI STATION

Every day, including 24th December, from 17.30h – 19.30h and from 20h – 22h at Vallnord – Pal Arinsal Father Christmas will also visit Vallnord.

Caga Tió (literally ‘Shit Tió’ Tió being a log.) Sunday, 24th December at 11h in the Plaça Major, Ordino. Musical entertainment with the Xip Xap to make the traditional Tió log shit sweets and presents for the littlest children.

CINEMA

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. Every evening at 19.45 until Thursday 21st December at the Cinemes Illa Carlemany, Escaldes-Engordany. Directed by Rian Johnson, Starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill. Having taken her first steps into the Jedi world, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.

Culturally yours,

Clare

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Look for about the author of the blog Clare Allcard

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