Meritxell Day (September 8): The national day and biggest celebration of the year. The pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Meritxell in the village of the same name draws Andorrans from across the country. Traditional dances, music, and the sardana (the emblematic Catalan circle dance) fill the streets. Everything closes; the atmosphere is genuinely festive rather than merely ceremonial.
Andorra Mountain Music (February/March): An electronic music festival held at altitude in the Soldeu ski resort — around 1,800 metres. International DJs play to a crowd that has usually just come off the slopes. A peculiar but enjoyable combination.
Andorra Taste (September): A gastronomic festival in Andorra la Vella celebrating mountain cuisine, with chefs, tastings, and discussions about Pyrenean food traditions. Held in late September since 2021.
Carnival (February/March): Celebrated with parades and costumed processions, particularly lively in Andorra la Vella and the parish capitals.
Festa Major: Each parish holds its own summer festival, with the most notable in Canillo (third week of July) and Encamp (late July). These are local affairs — folk music, food stalls, dances in the square — and more authentic than the larger tourist-oriented events.
Nit de la Purissima (December 8): The Immaculate Conception, a public holiday marked by late-night shopping and celebrations in the capital. One of the livelier nights of the winter season.