The Aplec del Caragol will celebrate its 45th edition from May 22 to 24 at the Camps Elisis in Lleida with 124 groups and 16,850 members, the highest numbers ever reached by the festival. The event will maintain free access and free wristbands in a year when the organization wants to expand its reach outside Catalonia.
This growth will coexist with reinforced nighttime entry controls. The organization will retain the open format of the venue but will review nighttime access to improve coexistence and prevent the entry of dangerous objects.
The Aplec will debut two spaces to enhance its gastronomic projection
The main novelty at the Camps Elisis will be the Lleida Turisme space, a tent measuring 20 by 75 meters located in front of pavilion 3. There, visitors will be able to taste snails and learn about local gastronomy during the three days of the event.
In addition, pavilion 4 will host the new restaurant Gust de Lleida, promoted together with the Diputació de Lleida. The space will offer tastings of local products and menus focused on snails.
Fecoll will once again accompany this offering with a press trip for six international journalists from Europe and America. The initiative seeks to continue the external promotion of the Aplec in an edition that once again focuses on its tourist appeal.
"The goal is to continue moving forward to obtain recognition as a Festival of International Tourist Interest" - Ferran Perdrix, president of Fecoll
The cultural week will kick off on May 18 at La Llotja de Lleida
Before the start of the Aplec, the program will begin on May 18 with the opening speech at La Llotja de Lleida. Maria Àngels Balcells will be in charge of opening the cultural week.
During that event, the Caragol Bover 2026 award will also be presented to Jesús Bometón. The ceremony will serve as the institutional launch for an edition that will bring together thousands of participants at the Camps Elisis venue.
In terms of participation numbers, the 124 groups total 16,850 members, a historic high for the Lleida festival.