Local Festivals
Officially, the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands has 12 holidays per year, aside from those particular days (one or two) that every town or village has to commemorate its patron saint.
Both in Palma and in the villages, some of the most traditional festivals transform the streets and squares into a magical setting, somewhere between the roots of the past and the very latest present.
The official holiday calendar for 2011 is as follows:
Official holidays (2011)
January 1: New Year
January 6: Epiphany
March 1: Balearic Islands’ Day
April 21: Maundy Thursday
April 22: Good Friday
April 25: Easter Monday
August 15: Assumption of Mary
October 12: National Day
November 1: All Saints’ Day
December 6: Constitution Day
December 8: Immaculate Conception
December 26: St. Stephen's Day
On the other hand, the most popular traditional festivals in Mallorca are:
Sa Vermada (September): September is the grape harvest month and Binissalem celebrates the “Festa des Vermar”, a festival that turns this wine-producing village into an activity centre.
Dijous Bo (November): It is the most important agricultural, livestock and business market. It takes place in Inca on the second Thursday in November.
La festa de l’Estendard (“Standard Day”) (December 31): Commemoration of King James I’s entrance into the city in 1229. The celebration takes place in Plaça de Cort, Palma.
La Dansa dels Cossiers: Traditional dance group, the dances of which are the oldest ones in Mallorca. Some of them are still preserved in villages such as Algaida and Alaró. The group consists of 6 males and one lady, who are accompanied by the Devil. They dance to the rhythm of the melodies played by the pipe and the shawm players. (16/01, 24 and 25/07 in Algaida; 23 and 24/08 in Montuïri; 16/08 in Alaró; 02/08 in Pollença)
Festes de Sant Sebastià (St. Sebastian’s Festival): In Palma, the night before January 20, many leisure activities take place in order to commemorate the patron saint of the city. It is important to mention the street bonfires, where people grill sobrassada and botifarrons.On the other hand, on January 20, Pollença celebrates the parade of Els Cavallets.
Revetlla and beneïdes de Sant Antoni (St. Anthony’s Eve and blessing): In some villages, on the evening before January 17, many big bonfires are lighted in memory of Saint Anthony. On January 17, in many localities, pets are blessed and float parades take place.
Carnival (February 18): Traditional and provocative carnival floats. People eat the traditional ensaïmades de tallades (with sobrassada and pumpkin).
Holy Week and Pancaritats: Penitent processions across Mallorca. People prepare and eat panades, robiols and crespells. The week after Easter, the pancaritas (picnics held outside the village) take place in sanctuaries and hermitages across Mallorca. On the first Sunday after Easter, people celebrate the Diumenge de l’Àngel (Angel Day) at the Bellver Castle.
Corpus Christi (June): This is the last spring festivity. It was created in 1316 and is held to commemorate the Eucharist. In Pollença it is accompanied by the Ball de les Àguiles (Eagle Dance) as well as by the ritual dance of Sant Joan Pelós.
Summer festivals: To celebrate the patron saint’s day, all towns hold their summer festivals. They are an exciting experience, as they include: games, live music, night festivals, sea processions, traditions…
Batalles de moros i cristians (Moors and Christians battle): In Port de Sóller and Port de Pollença people commemorate the Arab pirate invasion that took place centuries ago, as well as the battle and the victory of the Mallorcan over their invaders. (02/08 in Pollença and first week in August in Sant Elm).
Processó de la Beata (Blessed Catalina Tomàs’ procession) (September): This procession takes place on the first Sunday in September in the village of Santa Margalida. The Blessed leads the procession followed by the authorities, shawm players, peasants, devils and 12 floats that reproduce the most important episodes of Catalina Tomàs’ life.