A guide to summer fiestas and folk traditions on Mallorca (June-August)

We tend to talk a lot about local festivals, but we often concentrate on the mainland and overlook the rest of Spain out in the middle of the Mediterranean. But the islands are every bit as festive as the mainland, and so today I want to give you a run down of the most popular local summer traditions on the island of Mallorca. So without further ado:

JUNE

Corpus Christi. All the towns and villages celebrate the fiesta of the Eucharist. In Palma, n'Eloi, the largest bell of the Cathedral is rung. A Mass is held and there is a procession in which the Host is accompanied by the lledània, a cross made of wax flowers. The Anguiles dance in Pollença and Sant Joan Pelós also comes out onto the streets.

Sant Pere Fiesta
http://www.alcudiavirtual.com

13 Sant Antoni de Padua. On the feast day of Sant Antoni de Padua, also known as the fiesta of the Albaricoques (Apricots), the cavallets and the dama dance in Artà. There are two red cavallets and two black ones; the lady's horse is white.

24 Sant Joan: Fiesta del "Sol quan balla". The summer solstice is celebrated and, the night before, it is traditional to light bonfires (foguerons) near the sea. The fiesta should carry on till sunrise: "el sol quan balla" (when the sun dances). As well as in Palma, Sant Joan (John) is cause for important fiestas in Calvà, Deià, s'Esglaieta, Muro, Felanitx, Son Servera and Sant Joan. Sant Joan Pelós comes out to dance in Felanitx.

Sant Marçal pottery fair
http://ultimahora.es

29 Sant Pere. St Pere (Peter) is the patron saint of fishermen. There are celebrations in Alcúdia and Palma. Seagoing processions are organised in nearly all coastal towns.

30 Sant Marçal. Marratxi's main fiestas in are held on June 30th, the feast day of Sant Marçal. There is an excellent market of siurells, a craft fair of ceramics and pottery, art exhibitions, dances and fireworks.

JULY

1/2 Nuestra Señora de la Victoria. The fiesta takes place in the Hermitage of la Victoria in Alcúdia. On July 2nd, there is a Mass where an offering of camomile is made. Immediately afterwards, the traditional "corregudes de joies" (Races of Joy) are held.

16 La Virgen del Carmen. This is a day of seagoing processions at which the hymn, Salve Marinera, is sung.

20 Santa Margalida. The town of Santa Margalida celebrates their patron saint's feast day with a week of fiestas. The cavallets take to the streets to dance in Felanitx and concerts and dances are held. Santa Maria del Camí also celebrates their patron saint's feast day.

25 Sant Jaume. July 25th, the feast day of Sant Jaume (James) is an important day in the calendar of fiestas in Mallorca. As well as Alcúdia where Sant Jaume is the patron saint, there are fiestas in Llucmajor, Muro, Sa Pobla, Algaida, Santanyí, Calvià, Binissalem and Portocolom.

26 Procesión del Sant Crist. Every three years, the procession of Santo Cristo is held in Alcúdia to commemorate a miracle in 1507, when, it is said, the figure of Christ in the parish church sweated blood and water, thereby putting an end to a period of drought.

28 La Beata. On this day, the Blessed Catalina Thomàs is honoured in Valldemossa with a great parade which usually starts at 7 pm. Vilafranca de Bonany has fiestas during the last week of July.

30 Sant Abdó i Sant Senén. These are the main fiestas in Inca. Sant Abdó and Sant Senén where two Persian Kings who converted to Christianity and died as martyrs. Two giant figures, n'Abdó and na Maria, parade through the streets. Some of the activities are ball de bot (flok dancing) and bullfights.

AUGUST

2 La Mare de Déu dels Àngels / Moors and Christians. Pollença recalls the battle of the townspeople led by Joan Mas against Dragut, the Corsair. There is no shortage of mesclat, a strong alcoholic drink during the fiesta.

6 Sant Salvador. On August 6th one really should visit Artà for the celebrations of Sant Salvador.

15 Mare de Déu d'Agost o Mare de Déu Morta. The feast day of the Mother of God of August or the Dead Mother of God is celebrated in Caimari, Campos, Esporles. Es Molinar (Palma) and Sineu.

16 Sant Roc. The saint is carried in a parade accompanied by the dancing crossiers in Alaró. In Porreres, the fiestas last eight days.

20 Romeria de Sant Bernat. On August 20th, the procession of the Romeria of Sant Bernat from Plaza Cort in Palma to the Monasterio de Sant Bernat in El Secar de La Real is held.

Festa de les Llanternes, Alcúdia
www.alcudiavirtual.com

24 Sant Bartomeu. In Sóller, the fiestas get off to a start ten days early. The Vall de Sóller Literary Prizes are awarded. There are competitions os skill with the slingshot and races. In Alcúdia the Festa de les Llanternes is held (Fiesta of the Lanterns), in which the children of the town parade singing traditional Majorcan songs carrying lanterns made of melons or water melons. In Capdepera, there are concerts, folk dancing and drama in the open-air. There are also fiestas in Consell, ses Salines and Jornets. In Montuïri the cossiers dance outside private houses and bars, in exchange for presents given to them by the townspeople.

28 Sant Agustí. In Felanitx cultural and religious acts are held in addition to a famous series of concerts. The "cavallets" of the town come out to dance.

Check January and February Fiestas in Mallorca
Check March, April and May Fiestas in Mallorca
Check September, October, November and December Fiestas in Mallorca