Festivals and events in Mallorca

Mallorca is celebrating. And not in short supply. Compared to Germany, the island not only has a large number of public holidays, but also festivities and events. Some are based on historical tradition, others have a religious background. Here is an overview of which festivals are worth a visit.

5 January: Three Kings - the Christmas of Mallorca

The arrival of the Three Kings is celebrated differently on Mallorca than in Germany. Traditionally, the men from the East arrive on the evening of 5 January, bringing Christmas presents with them. You should not miss the parade in Palma: Here, the Three Wise Men dock at the Moll Vell, the old pier, by boat and make their way to Palma Town Hall. They are followed by a large musical parade with several hundred people in fancy dress. On their way through the city, they throw caramelos, Spanish sweets, into the crowd. Similar parades take place on 5 January in many places on the island, for example in Alcudia, Sóller and Andratx.

20 January: San Sebastian - Palma celebrates its patron saint

You should experience for yourself what goes on in Palma's streets and squares during the San Sebastian Festival: On the night of 20 January, the capital of Mallorca turns into a huge fair with stages, live concerts and numerous street artists. Locals barbecue in the squares and streets and celebrate the day of their patron saint. The celebrations are accompanied by several events around 20 January in Palma.

Mid-February: Carnival - big parades through Palma

Carnival is also celebrated on Mallorca. The two most important parades take place in Palma: the children's parade Sa Rueta takes place on Saturday and the adult version on Sunday. The masqueraders parade through the streets of Palma for around 3.5 hours on a set route. The most important parades on the island take place on Saturdays and Sundays.

Early March to mid-April: Fira del Ram - Mallorca's big fair

With over 170 stalls and 70 rides, the Fira del Ram fair is a magnet for visitors. The fair takes place annually from the beginning of March to mid-April in the Son Fusteret industrial estate in Palma. The best way to get to the fairground is to take bus number 10 from Palma.

Easter in Mallorca

Easter is one of the most important festivals in the ecclesiastical calendar year in Mallorca. The numerous processions and traditions attract pilgrims from all over the world to the Catholic island. Easter week, Semana Santa, begins on the Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday. On this day, numerous believers parade through the streets.

The following Maundy Thursday is the Crist de la Sang procession in Palma. During this large penitential procession, you can see brotherhoods in medieval costumes carrying huge statues of saints through the streets of Mallorca's capital.
On Good Friday, you can watch the Deposition of the Cross procession in several places on the island. A passion play is also performed in front of La Seu Cathedral in Palma.

11 May: Sóller's victory over the Moors

The victory of the Christians over the Moors is commemorated in many places on Mallorca throughout the year. Most festivities take place in May to mark this occasion. In Sóller, this event is celebrated for several days around the 11th of May. Visit the re-enactment of the battle at Port de Sóller: locals dress up to commemorate the historic event and fight against each other.

Mid to end of June: Festes del Rei en Jaume - Santa Ponsa celebrates the reconquest

In Santa Ponsa, the successful reconquest of the island by Jaime I is commemorated every June with the Festes del Rei en Jaume. The festivities are accompanied by concerts, exhibitions, markets, parades and dances. Here too, the battles of 1229 are re-enacted by locals. The disguised men land by boat in the bay of Santa Ponsa and conquer the island with swords. The parade starts from the "La Creu" monument directly at the Club Nautic in Santa Ponsa and ends on the large beach.

23 June: Sant Juan - bathing on St. John's night

On St. John's night, locals get together to barbecue and swim on the beach, light bonfires and honour their patron saint St. John every year on the night before his name day. The celebrations on the beach are accompanied by fireworks in many places. It is best to go to one of the large beaches near your accommodation and experience the spectacle up close with music, food and drinks.

16 July: Fira del Carme - parade by the sea

16 July is the day of Fira del Carme, the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. In other countries, she is also known as the Virgen del Carmen or Estrella del Mar, the star of the sea. On this day, it is worth taking a trip to the coast: in many seaside towns on Mallorca, fishermen and sailors decorate a statue of their patron saint and bring it, followed by a procession, onto a decorated boat in the harbour. In many places, the procession continues on the water and is accompanied by folk dances, markets and fireworks.

2 August: Pollensa's victory over the pirates

As in many other places on the island, the victory over the Moorish pirates is also celebrated in Pollensa. On 2 August, costumed inhabitants re-enact the victory over the invaders from 1550.

15 August: Fiesta Mare de Déu - duck throwing in Can Picafort

A special feature of the Fiesta Mare de Déu in Can Picafort is the traditional duck throwing: Before 2005, live ducks were thrown to the swimmers in the sea from a boat. The first swimmer to reach the beach with a live duck was crowned the winner. This tradition has attracted the attention of animal rights activists: today, rubber ducks are used instead.

28 August: Festa de's Cavall - horse festival in Ses Salines

In Ses Salines, over 3,000 people take part in the Festa de's Cavall on 28 August every year. This festival is derived from the famous horse festival on the neighbouring island of Menorca.

1st weekend in September: Fira del Meló - melon festival in Vilafranca de Bonany

On the first weekend in September, everything in Vilafranca de Bonany revolves around melons. During a visit to the melon festival, you can not only sample all kinds of delicious treats, but also watch several competitions. The most famous is the melon weighing: Whichever melon farmer has the heaviest melon wins - these can weigh up to 18 kilos.

Third Saturday in September: Festa des Vermar - grape battle in Binissalem

The famous wine village of Binissalem turns into a small party town towards the end of the harvest season. Visitors from all over the island come to the Festa des Vermar, the harvest festival, to taste the wine and take part in the carnival-like parades. The grape treading and the grape fight are particularly funny. It's best to take old clothes and a change of clothes with you.

Second Thursday in November: Dijous Bo - autumn market in Inca

The autumn market in Inca is held on the second Thursday in November. The Dijous Bo is a mixture of eco-fair, market and fair. On this day, up to 200,000 people come to Inca's city centre. The focus is on local products such as Mallorcan wines, olive oil, honey and sea salt. In addition, handicraft products and hand-blown glass, leather goods and earthenware are exhibited and offered for sale. There is also a medieval market. It is best to take one of the many special trains from Palma on this day, as parking spaces are in short supply.