La Masia de Castelló 2026 (El Pessebre dels Estels) Living Nativity
The Pessebre dels Estels at the Masia de Castelló is one of Catalonia’s most striking experiences. This event not only recreates Christmas, but literally brings life back in an abandoned village in the middle of the 20th century. Here you can check the time-slot system (which include morning passes), how to manage tickets and where to leave the car in the mountains.
The experience: 44 scenes and the recovery of a town
Nestled between mountains in the municipality of Vandellòs i l'Hospitalet de l'Infant, the hamlet of Castelló became uninhabited decades ago. In 1997 the organization staged the first living nativity scene to save it from ruin. Today, close to 500 volunteers work carefully in their restored streets to represent lost trades: the blacksmith, the saddler, the bread oven and the forest charcoal maker. The guided and spoken tour through this revived village lasts around 45 minutes.
Times, performance dates and morning passes
The season of the Pessebre dels Estels is characterized by concentrating its magic around the Puríssima long weekend and the following weekend, with updated time slots:
- Afternoon passes: To be scheduled typically between the 6, 7 and 14 of december. Tickets are enabled every 30 minutes from 16:30 h until 18:30 h.
- New (Morning Passes and Accessibility): The edition reserves a specific day (as it was the December 13 from the last campaign) for exclusively morning sessions (from 10:00 h to 13:00 h). One of these sessions is specially adapted for people with high sensitivity and performanceal diversity.
Tickets and return policy
Given the high expectations and road access, the organization strongly recommends closing the buy online in advance. Take care when selecting your time slot, as the system does not allow date or session changes once the ticket has been issued. The amount is only refunded if the organization cancels due to weather or force majeure.
- General admission (from 10 years): 15 €
- Child ticket (from 4 to 9 years): 10 €
- Infant entry (from 0 to 3 years): Totally free access (no ticket required).
How to get there and parking management
- Access by car: To get there, you must drive along the C-44 road (between Masboquera and Vandellòs). You will find a police device that will give you directions from Vandellòs to take the correct asphalt road uphill towards the Masia.
- Free Parking: The site has parking areas of free access on arrival The volunteers are in charge of receiving each vehicle and placing it in the corresponding place.
Practical information: Accessibility, Pets and Gastronomy
- Strollers and Wheelchairs: The restoration of the town allows circulation on accessible paths. Although a few interior scenes are limited by historic steps, most of the Masia de Castelló route can be done completely flat. You have adapted fixed toilets for reduced mobility.
- Pets NOT allowed: To ensure the well-being and safety of more than 200 real animals who participate by taking part in the living nativity scene, the entity imposes thestrict prohibition to access the enclosure with dogs or pets.
To top off the high mountain atmosphere when leaving the route, and regardless of the traditional offering of a hot soup tasting to beat the cold, you will find a small "Christmas fair" with craft stalls where you can buy cheese, fritters or local honey from the mountains near Vandellòs.
Latest editorial revision: April 23, 2026.
Information status: The no-pets policies and the parking service are fully ratified in the FAQ section of the Masia de Castelló Association. How we work.