In this blog post, we take a look at some of the local festivals and holidays
in Mallorca in 2023
First we start with an overview of national and public holidays on the island:
Epiphany: January 6, 2023 (public holiday)
Balearic Islands Day: March 1, 2023 (local holiday)
Good Friday: April 14, 2023 (public holiday)
Easter Sunday: April 16, 2023
Easter Monday: April 17, 2023 (public holiday)
Labor Day: May 1, 2023 (public holiday)
Assumption Day: August 15, 2023 (national holiday)
National Day of Catalonia: September 11, 2023 (local holiday)
Hispanic Day: October 12, 2023 (national holiday)
All Saints Day: November 1, 2023 (national holiday)
Constitution Day: December 6, 2023 (National Holiday)
Immaculate Conception: December 8, 2023 (National Holiday)
Christmas Day: December 25, 2023 (National Holiday)
Christmas Day: December 26, 2023 (National Holiday)
Besides those dates, Mallorca has to offer a lot more special celebrations and events which we listed for you here:
Sant Antoni Abat (January 16-17)
Sant Antoni Abat is celebrated in honor of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals. The festival takes place in various towns and villages on Mallorca and features bonfires, traditional music and parades with decorated horses and other animals. Locals also enjoy traditional foods and drinks such as sobrassada (a type of cured sausage) and hierbas (a local herbal liqueur).
Carnaval (February 28 - March 6)
Carnaval is a colorful and lively festival celebrated in many parts of the world, and Mallorca is no exception. Festivities include parades, music, dancing and elaborate costumes. The biggest Carnaval celebrations in Mallorca take place in the capital, Palma, where you can expect a veritable fireworks display of color and creativity.
Fira del Ram (March 3 - April 24)
The Fira del Ram is a popular fair held every spring in Palma. The fair offers a wide range of attractions, including rides, carnival games and food stalls with traditional Mallorcan treats. It's a great event for families, and visitors of all ages are sure to find something they enjoy.
Rally Isla Mallorca (March 9-11)
Puerto Portals
SAR Princesa Sofia Sailing Trophy (March 29-31 & April 1-8)
Palma de Mallorca
Semana Santa (April 10-16)
Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is a religious festival that takes place the week before Easter. The festival features processions with elaborately decorated floats depicting scenes from the Bible and penitents in hooded robes. The most famous Semana Santa on Mallorca takes place in the town of Pollença, where processions wind through the narrow streets of the old town.
Palma International Boat Show (April 27)
Palma, the capital of Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, has a lot to offer during the month of April. Aside from sun-soaked highs of 20°C and long stretches of largely untouched beaches, the Spanish island also plays host to one of the biggest and buzziest boat shows in the yachting calendar. The Palma International Boat Show is held at Moll Vell, the island’s largest and best-equipped marina, and will bring a huge selection of luxury yachts, speedy tenders and cutting-edge racing sailboats together.
Returning from April 27 to 30, 2023, the four-day show marks the kick-off to the summer season in the Mediterranean, with boat enthusiasts and professionals from around the world coming together to network, learn and see what the industry has to offer.
Mallorca 312 cycle race (April 29)
Mallorca 312 is one of the most famous sportives in Europe. No surprise really, given it’s held in one of the world’s most spectacular cycling destinations on totally closed roads.
It’s also got a reputation for being one of the hardest amateur cycling events out there. The full 312-kilometre route includes over 5,000m of climbing! That’s a big day out by anyone’s standards.
Wine Fair (May 6)
One of Mallorca’s greatest wine exhibition and market organized since 2004 by Pollença’s association “Primitive wine” and which is supported by Pollença’s Town Council.
It is usually celebrated in April in Saint Domingo’s Cloister. The number of visitors increases yearly, that’s one of the reasons this exhibition has become a reference in the island as well as a remarkable tourist attraction, with a huge presence of visitors more and more specialised in the wine range, in the food industry and oenology.
Ironman Mallorca (May 13)
wine on the island of Mallorca. The heart of the race is in the town of Alcudia in the north of Mallorca. The 1.9 km swim course leads in a rectangular course along the small harbour through the bay. After changing to the bike, the highlight of the entire race course follows with the 90 km circuit. While the athletes can roll in comfortably for the first 15 km, a 20 km long climb with an altitude difference of almost 600 metres follows to the legendary monastery of Lluc. From there, the route leads in a technically demanding section via Caimari to Inca, before returning to the port via sa Pobla, Mura, past the Albufera National Park. For dessert, a flat four-lap course awaits the athletes on the running course along the beach promenade and through the harbour town. A race course that has one or two pitfalls in store, especially in strong wind conditions.
Es Firó - Festival of Moors and Christians (15-16 May)
Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant festivals. Among the island's popular events is the festival of Es Firó, celebrated in Port de Sóller. This festival commemorates the region's successful defense against Moorish invaders in 1561. Es Firó attracts thousands of revelers dressed in costumes to Port de Sóller to recreate the Moors' failed siege of the island. The festivities feature a lively mix of singing, dancing, wine-drinking, and fireworks, making it one of the most raucous events that bring the island to life. The festival usually falls on the second or third weekend of May, culminating on Sunday and Monday. The highlight of the celebration, the famous beach battle, takes place on Monday afternoon or evening. If you plan to visit Mallorca, make sure to experience this energetic and exciting event.
Mallorca Live Festival (18-20 May)
The Mallorca Live Festival held in Magaluf is the biggest music festival on the island, showcasing a mix of indie, pop, rock, and electronic music.
The festival is a sensory delight, offering a variety of music genres, including indie rock, world music, reggae, electronic music, and hip-hop. The festival features multiple stages, a chill-out zone, visual artists, street art, food trucks, and a market. For two days, attendees can enjoy more than 18 hours of live music, along with delicious street food, street art, and a design market. Visit the festival's website to discover which artists will be performing at this year's event.
Nit de Foc (June 23)
Nit de Foc, the Night of Fire, is celebrated in the city of Palma on the same night as Sant Joan. The festival is marked by a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky over the city. Visitors can watch the fireworks from various vantage points in the city, including the seafront and the cathedral.
Sant Joan (23-24 June).
Sant Joan is celebrated on the night of the summer solstice, with bonfires, fireworks, traditional music and dancing. It is said that jumping over the bonfire brings good luck for the coming year. The festival is celebrated in towns and villages all over Mallorca, but the biggest celebrations take place in the town of Ciutadella on the neighbouring island of Menorca.
Reggaeton Beach Festival (July 15)
Inca
Copa del Rey (July 30)
Sailing Regatta in the bay of Palma
Festa de la Mare de Déu d'Agost (August 15)
The Festa de la Mare de Déu d'Agost, also called the Feast of the Virgin Mary, is a religious festival that takes place in Pollença. The festival is characterized by processions, music and traditional dances, as well as the firing of cannons and the ringing of bells. Visitors can also sample local delicacies such as ensaïmadas (a sweet pastry) and coca de trempó (a savory pastry).
Palma de Mallorca Marathon (October 15)
Mallorca Classic Week, Son Vida (October 18)
Classic car event
In summary, Mallorca is a lively and colourful destination that offers a variety of festivals and holidays throughout the year. Whether you are interested in music, food or culture, there is sure to be a festival in Mallorca that will capture your imagination.
Photo credits: Unsplash