English version
A guide to fiestas and folk traditions

MAY

11/ MOORS AND CHRISTIANS AT SÓLLER
On this day Sóller relives the battle that took place in 1561 when the troops of the corsair Eukdj Alí attempted to invade the town. One of the main acts is the proclamation of the "Valentes Dones" (Valiant Women) in the parish church of St. Bartomeu. Every year Sóller honours Francisca and Catalina Casasnovas, who played a heroic part in the defence of the town.

 


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 Aguiles dance in Pollença and Sant Joan Pelós also comes out onto the streets.

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



The Corpus is the feast in honour of the sacrament of the Eucharist

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 Calvià, Deià, s'Esglaieta, Muro, Felanitx, Son Servera and Sant Joan. Sant Joan Pelós comes out to dance in Felanitx.



Many Mallorcan fishing villages celebrate feasts in honour of Saint Peter with boat
processions bearing his image

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 municipalities that have a Fishermen's Guild. However the saint's feast day is also celebrated on the interior of the island: in Alaró, Búger, and Esporles.

30/ SANT MARÇAL
Marratxí'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. There are fiestas in Palma, in el Coll den Rebassa, Port d'Andratx, Cala Bona, Portocristo, Port de Pollença, Cala Figuera, Cala Ratjada, Portocolom and Ruberts, even though this is an inland village.

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 Sant 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 the whole of the last week of July.

30/SANT ABDÓ I SANT SENÉN These are the main fiestas in Inca. Sant Abdó and Sant Senén were two Persian Kings who converted to Christianity and died as martyrs. Two giant figures, n'Abdó and na Maria, parade through the streets. The activities programmed for the fiestas range from ball de bot (folk dancing) to bullfights.

 

 


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