Carnival in Encamp 2025

In Encamp, Carnival is one of the most important festivals of the year, where satire and revelry take center stage in the life of the parish. This year, it will be celebrated from March 1 to March 5.

The Encamp Carnival, organized by the Festival Committee, is one of the liveliest in the Principality, with satire on current events as the central theme of the celebrations. The traditional hanging of King Carnestoltes sets the tone and themes for the rest of the activities and performances that take place during these days.

Among the key events of this unique Carnival is the Smugglers' Trial, performed on Carnival Sunday since the 1950s. The smuggler is a traditional figure found throughout the Pyrenees, inspiring numerous celebrations.

Another distinctive feature of the Encamp Carnival is Ball de l'Ossa, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2022. With uncertain origins—some sources trace it back to the Middle Ages—it has been continuously performed since the mid-20th century.

To conclude the festivities, the singular operation of King Carnestoltes takes place. Despite the efforts of the carnival medical team, they fail to revive him, and he is ultimately burned.

Download the program here. (CAT)