Events in Mallorca - Majorca Events
What's On Guide
There's always lots going on in Mallorca to keep residents and tourists happy! The Spanish do like their Fiestas and it seems as if there is a Fiesta to go to just about every month of the year!
In this section, we will strive to bring you news about all forthcoming events on the island so please keep coming back to see what's on.
Events This Week
Moley says, "A really good source of information about events in Majorca is the Majorca Daily Bulletin"
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Mallorca Events - 2011
Angel Sunday - 1 May 2011 - Bellver Castle (Free)
(Domingo del Ángel) or Angel Sunday takes place on the 1st Sunday following Easter each year. Originally, this festival focussed on the blessing of bread for the poor; however during modern times, it has turned into a day where residents of Palma gather at Bellver Castle to share food and enjoy each other's company. Residents gather at the Town Hall and then walk to Bellver Castle where the celebrations begin; which includes entertainment in the form of castellers (human pyramids), music, parades in traditional costumes and plenty to keep the children occupied. C/Camilo José Cela 07014.
Mallorca Rocks Opening Party with Plan B - 31st May 2011
Are you ready for the biggest Mallorca Rocks yet? We certainly are and we can now confirm the first round of artists on the line up. Summer 2011 will see our Mallorca base play host to not one, not two, not even ten but a whole seventeen weeks full of off the hook gigs. Here's who we've booked so far... We have returning favourites like Dizzee Rascal, Friendly Fires, Tinie Tempah, Chase & Status, Sub Focus, Zane Lowe and Example. Plus there are plenty of hot new acts making their debut including The Vaccines, Brother, Labrinth, Katy B and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. Then there are some absolute titans of electronic music such as Fatboy Slim and Magnetic Man. And not only do we have Plan B and Doorly opening the summer but now they will now be joined by one of the hottest Grime MCs on the block Wretch 32 for our first night of carnage. Finally, we have the absolute legends that are Madness - true pioneers of the UK music scene - taking Mallorca Rocks one step beyond in September. Impressed? We're sure you are.
Palma de Mallorca International Boat Show - 30 April until 8th May (10am - 8pm)
From 30th April to 8th May, the 28th Palma International Boat Show gets underway - and with perfect timing for the boating market, right at the start of the season. The Show has become a point of reference on the international scene. It brings together the best specialised offers that exist with more than 700 craft on land and 280 in the sea, plus a growing superyacht sector that includes vessels of up to 45 metres in length. It is a key place of contact that draws buyers from the entire continent just at the time of year when boating - in all its modalities - is at its most active.
Nit de Foc - Night of Fire - Jun 2011 - Palma de Mallorca (Free)
The Nit de Foc (Night of Fire) is one of the most popular festivals in Palma de Mallorca and takes place in the Parc de la Mer. It's a real fiesta full of huge bonfires and fireworks displays and traditionally marks the beginning of Mallorca's summer fiestas.
Sá Mostra International Folklore Festival - Jul 2011 - Soller
Sa Mostra the International Folklore Festival of Sóller, was founded by the 'Aires Sollerics' and has been uniting folklore groups every July from all over the world since 1980. The festival lasts for a week, and while the main events are the public performances of the groups involved, there are also many sessions of cultural interchange between groups, and with the public. Groups come from all over the world to take part in this popular and internationally renowned event.
Fiesta La Patrona - Jul to Aug - Pollença
Pollença's Fiesta La Patrona re-enacts the 1550 clash between local hero Joan Mas and the invading Barbary Pirates led by Dragut Rais. Villagers dress up in pyjamas and face paint before staging battles in the streets with swords and sticks. The celebrations start every year with an Alborada (a traditional Pollenca song) and ends with fireworks. The morning song is followed by Mass, then the dance of Es Cossiers, then at 6 pm an image of the Virgin Mary is paraded through the streets, led by folk in 1550s costume. The real fun starts at 7pm, with the re-enacted battle; villagers dress up in tatty pyjamas and face paint, armed with cutlasses, swords and sticks.
Releasing of the Ducks - Aug 2011 - Can Picafort (Free)
This event attracts over 3,000 spectators every year. At midday, boats drop anchor in front of the Hotel Sol y Mar and release around 350 rubber ducks into the sea for locals to grab. Until recently, live ducks were used and people attempted to capture them as trophies. This stirred up much protest from animal rights campaigners, persuading local authorities to switch to yellow toy ducks in 2007. The festival is a free event and it creates a good environment for families and couples to have fun and be entertained. Aside from the releasing of duck competition, you will get a chance to listen to some unlimited live entertainments like music and flamenco at various spots in Can Picafort. There will also be plenty of exquisite cuisines to enjoy at some of the restaurants or food stalls present during the festival.
Festival de Pollença - Jul to Aug - Claustro de Santo Domingo
The Festival de Pollença's classical music programme, which started in 1962, returns once again to the north Mallorcan town. A diverse line-up of international soloists, choirs and orchestras perform al fresco in the cloistered patio of the Santo Domingo convent.
Chopin Festival - August (Sunday only) - Valldemossa Monastery - 10pm
In 1930, the Mallorcan composer Joan Maria Thomàs created the Chopin Festival --the first in the world-- with the assistance of the Boutroux-Ferrà couple, who offered him the use of cell number 2 in the Carthusian Monastery in Valldemossa as the Festival's headquarters. The programme primarily consists of works by Chopin, but there's music by other composers too, performed by renowned musicians and up-and-coming talents.
Les Festes de La Beata - Sep 2011 - Santa Margalida
Santa Margalida honours its patron saint, Catalina Tomás, with a weekend of celebrations known as Les Festes de La Beata. The lively processions and street parties commemorate the saint's beatification by Pope Pius VI. A procession of floats leaves the local parish church on the Saturday evening, after which a raucous mixture of food, wine, music and dancing ensues. Children dress up as devils and run through the streets, while a few lucky girls are chosen to dress up as Santa Catalina herself and have the privilege of walking behind the floats that wind slowly but steadily through the narrow streets. Sunday is the saint's day, marked by a further procession and a recreation of the life of Santa Catalina Tomás by the inhabitants of Santa Margalida.
Mare de Déu de la Salut - Sep - Palma de Mallorca (Free)
Processions and floral offerings take over Palma during the annual Mare de Déu de la Salut fiesta. There's music and theatre entertainment, as well as a solemn mass in honour of the Virgin Mary at the church of Sant Miguel.
Jazz Voyeur Festival - Jul to Dec - Palma de Mallorca
The Jazz Voyeur Festival brings solo artists, gospel choirs and brass musicians to the Mallorcan capital, Palma de Mallorca. The performances span several months and are spread across a number of performance venues, such as the Teatre Principal. The festival started in 2004 and the likes of Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Carla Bley, Michael Brecker and Charlie Haden brought success, securing its annual status. In 2010, the programme features seven shows spread over five and a half months. Christian Scott, Tom Harrell, Ute Lemper and the Spirit of New Orleans all feature.
New Year's Eve - Dec - La Seu Cathedral
The Festa de l'Estendard, held on New Year's Eve in Palma de Mallorca, commemorates King Jaume I's Christian conquest of the city in 1229. After an amazing street procession, locals attend a special Mass at the stunning La Seu Cathedral. The fiesta is also a great chance to catch traditional Mallorquín costume, music and dancing.
New Year's Concert - Jan - Auditòrium de Palma de Mallorca
The New Year's Concert in Palma has been running for over 20 years and is modelled on the world-famous Vienna version. Catch stirring performances from the Balearic Symphony Orchestra at the grand Auditòrium de Palma de Mallorca.
Procession of the Three Kings - Jan - Palma de Mallorca - Kings arrive 7pm at Port Vell
The night before the Three Wise Men arrive to give presents to good children, there is an ornate Procession of the Three Kings in Palma de Mallorca to celebrate their arrival. This is a family-oriented event ideal for small children. The mythology of the Three Wise Men, or Three Kings, states that they come riding into town on their camels. This is not entirely practical in Palma so instead they arrive by sea and disembark at Port Vell (the old harbour). They then sit on huge ornate floats, decorated with cartoon characters and Christmas items, and parade through the city, throwing out sweets to the waiting families below.
San Sebastian - Jan - Palma de Mallorca (Free)
On the eve of San Sebastian, music concerts take place in the squares throughout Palma. The celebrations continue on the saint's day itself - the activity programme changes each year, but past activities have included cycle rides and fireworks displays.
Mallorca International Classic Car Rally - March
Mallorca's International Classic Car Rally attracts rally teams and motor enthusiasts from all over Europe. Vintage vehicles race along a 600km route, including a scenic coastal section. Prizes are also awarded for the most beautiful cars.