Spain - Majorca festivals not to miss

Majorca is not only blessed with sun, sand and a thriving tourist industry but it is also home to a number of varied and popular festivals throughout the year meaning that virtually anytime you come to this magical Balearic island there is going to be something on. Here are just some of them. They are in chronological order so that you can pick out those that fit into the time of year your planning on going.

  1. NEW YEAR'S EVE - The Festa de l'Estendard in Palma celebrates the conquest by the Christians in 1229. This street procession shows off traditional local costumes, music and dancing. A special Mass is then presented at the spectacular La Seu Cathedral.

  2. NEW YEAR'S CONCERT: Performed by the Clutat de Palma Balearic Symphony Orchestra since 1996, this uses as a model the famous Vienna version. Presented at the Auditorium de Palma from 9pm - 11:30pm

  3. PROCESSION OF THE THREE KINGS: Annually in January, the Three Wise Men arrive by sea at the old harbour (instead of on camels as the myth says). They sit on huge decorated floats and parade through Palma. Small children especially love this because sweets are thrown out to the waiting families.

  4. FIESTA DE SAN SEBASTIAN: January 20 in Pollenca, there is a procession of two dancers mounting wooden horses. In Palma there is a cycle ride throughout the city and a fireworks display in the evening. The night before there are concerts in Palma's old quarter squares.

  5. CARNIVAL PARADES: In February and March there are spectacular fiestas (the best being the Cavalcade in Palma) and fancy dress balls to mark the end of the Carnival before Lent.

  6. FESTA SANT FRANCESC: Held April 2, this popular feast of St. Francis is held throughout the island.

  7. PRINCESS SOFIA TROPHY : This yachting regatta is held every April in Palma.

  8. ANGEL SUNDAY: The Sunday after Easter, this festival in Palma was for blessing the bread for the poor. Now the locals walk to Beliver Castle from the town hall to share food. There is much in the way of entertainment, music, games, and costumed parades.

  9. ELVISSA MEDIEVAL: Held on the second Sunday in May, this celebrates the declaration of Dalt Villa as a World Heritage site in 1992. Included are concerts and dancing.

  10. NIT DE FOC (NIGHT OF FIRE): Held on June 24 in Palma, this is one of the most popular festivals. The fireworks and huge bonfires begin Mallorca's summer fiestas.

  11. DIA DE VIRGEN DE CARMEN: July 15 and 16, held throughout the islands, this feast of the sailors' patron saint includes parades and blessing of fishing boats.

  12. COPA DEL REY: This large international yachting regatta in held in Palma the first week in August.

  13. FESTA DEL MEIO: The last Sunday in September, the end of the harvest is celebrated with a watermelon festival.

  14. DIA DE LA HISPANIDAD: October 12 in Palma, this national holiday honours the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

  15. DIJOUS BO: The third Thursday in November in Inca is this agricultural feast with fairs and a grand market. Live animals keep the children entertained.

  16. NOCHE BUENA: December 24, Christmas Eve, nativity plays and midnight masses are held throughout the islands.

This article was written by Ross Fraser who runs a popular website about the resort of Puerto Pollensa in Majorca

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