Pessebre Vivent is a wildly popular Christmastime reenactment of the Nativity of Jesus that takes place in small towns and villages across Catalonia. Pessebre Vivent is an interactive performance in a way it often requires the spectators to travel from setting to setting, from the picturesque old town to the rustic landscape of rivers and forests, observing the Biblical scenes as they go. Pessebre Vivent takes full advantage of the beauty and the Medieval charm of pueblos where it is performed.
The oldest Pessebre Vivent occurs in Castell d'Aro, where the Nativity has been reenacted by local families since 1959. In 2011, the organizers of Pessebre Vivent in Castell d'Aro were awarded the Cross of Sant Jordi for their significant cultural contribution to the community.
Castell d'Aro Pessebre Vivent is performed on select evenings between December 18 and January 2, usually beginning at 7 pm and featuring traditional costumes and the recorded music that has been a part of the event since 1959. The route for the audience to follow is about 1.5 km long, taking the visitors on the Biblical journey through the Old Town and the La Coma neighbourhood that should take about an hour to complete.
Admission is 5 for adults and 3 for children under 12 years old; babies and toddlers under 4 years old may come along for free.
2021 Castell d'Aro Pessebre Vivent dates:
- Saturday, December 18, 2021
- Sunday, December 19, 2021
- Saturday, December 25, 2021
- Sunday, December 26, 2021
- Saturday, January 1, 2022
- Sunday, January 2, 2022