Mallorca (Majorca) Festivals and National Holidays Dates

Mallorca Holidays and Festivals

JANUARY
Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (5 Jan): The Three Kings arrive by boat in Palma to distribute gifts to the city's children.

Sant Antoni Abat (16-17 Jan): Processions of pets and farm animals in Palma, Arta and Sa Pobla.

Sant Sebastia (19 Jan): Bonfires and barbecues in Palma's squares

FEBRUARY
Sa Rua (final weekend before Lent): Carnival held in Palma and elsewhere on the last weekend before Lent. It is marked by bonfires, fancy dress and processions of decorated floats in Montuiri the Carnival is known as Darres Dies (Last Days).

MARCH/ APRIL
Semana Santa (Holy Week): A week of solemn Easter preparation begins on Palm Sunday, when palm and olive branches are blessed at churches across the island before being taken home to adorn front doors. During Holy Week there are processions every day in Palma; the biggest procession is on Maundy Thursday. Other towns and villages have their own processions too. On the evening of Good Friday a figure of Christ is lowered from his cross in Pollenca and carried down the Calvany steps in silence. A similar event takes place on the church steps in Felanitx.

MAY
Moros i Cristians (8-10 May): Mock battles between heroes and infidels in Soller, commemorating a 1561 battle in which local women helped to defeat a band of Turkish pirates.

JUNE
Sant Pere (28-9 Jun): Processions of fishing boats in Palma, Port d'Andratx and Port d'Alcudia in honour of the patron saint of fishermen.

JULY
Pa Virgen del Carmen (16 Jul): Processions of boats in the island's ports, including Cala Rajada, Port de Pollenca and Port de Soller.

Santa Catalina Thomas (27-8 Jul): Homage to Mallorca's patron saint in her home town of Valldemossa.

AUGUST
Sant Bartomeu (24 Aug): Devil-dancing in Montuiri at one of Mallorca's oldest festivals.

Sant Agusti (28 Aug): Cavallets dances in Felanitx, with children dressed up as cardboard horses being chased by giants to the accompaniment of bagpipes, flutes and drums.

SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER
Harvest festivals including a melon festival in Vilafranca de Bonany (second Sun in Sep), a wine fair in Binissalem (last Sun in Sep), and a botifarro (blood sausage) festival in Sant Joan (third Sun in Oct).

DECEMBER
Festa de l'Estendard (31 Dec): Palma commemmorates the anniversary of the Christian conquest with a procession from the town hall to Mass at the cathedral.