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January | 1 | New Years Day - Public Holiday |
5 | The arrival of the Three Kings and worship of the baby Jesus. | |
6 | Feast of The Epiphany - Public Holiday | |
16-17 | Fiesta of Sant Antoni Abat the patron saint of animals. The event begins with the lighting of small bonfires, which the local residents sit around and sing traditional songs and roast "botifarrons", which are locally made blood sausages. The following day there is a colourful parade culminating in the blessing of the animals in front of the local parish Church. | |
March | 1 | Balearics Day - Public Holiday |
Lent | The Carnival Fiestas begin on the Thursday before Lent (Dijous Llarder), and continue until Ash Wednesday (Dimecres de Cendra) with street parades and fancy-dress parties all over the island. | |
Easter | Palm Sunday is celebrated with the "Procession of Silence" through the streets of nearby Port of Alcudia. Thursday and Friday, the traditional Easter processions through the streets of the historic centre take place, followed on Easter Sunday by the "La Procesion de el Encuentro". | |
May | 1 | May Day - Public Holiday |
July | 16 | Fiesta of the Mare de Deu del Carme in nearby Son Serra de Marina. Along with the usual selection of parades and musical events, this Fiesta also includes a maritime procession in honour of the Patron Saint of seafarers and fishermen. |
20 | Fiesta of Santa Margalida. This is believed to be one of the oldest fiestas on Majorca, and can be traced back as far as 1405. Over the 5 days of celebrations, there's a wide range of games, sports and other popular activities, however, the main event involves the selection of "The Beatas" which are young girls who are chosen to represent the town. | |
August | 15 | Ascension Day - Public Holiday |
15 | Fiesta of Mare de Deu d'Agost, which is also known locally as the "Fiesta of the Ducks". This annual event is somewhat strange even for Majorca, and despite the threat of fines and sanctions for those involved, this illegal Fiesta attracts over 3,000 people to the town. Each year the Conselleria d'Agricultura y Pesca of the Government warns the local town hall of Santa Margalida that it is prohibited to celebrate this Fiesta. But every year the town hall goes ahead, prepared to pay any fines, which last year cost the municipal treasury 3,000 Euros. The format of the event is shortly after noon five boats, holding approximately 350 ducks, drops anchor in front of the Hotel Sol y Mar and releases the ducks. The idea then is that swimmers take to the sea and try to capture the ducks as trophies. The ducks are not harmed in this event, most are captured and then released at the Torrent de Son Baulo, some escape and fly away to freedom, although in all fairness some have also been known to finish up in a casserole. The origins of this Fiesta is unknown, but it apparently began as a game more than 80 years ago. Many elderly residents in the town can still remember taking part many years ago when they were small. | |
September | The Fiesta of Sant Catalina Tomas takes place in Santa Margalida during the first weekend in September. During the event, devils with bells run through the streets and wake up the villagers, to be followed by traditional parades and dancing to local bands. | |
October | 12 | Fiesta Nacional de Espana - Public Holiday |
November | 1 | All Saints Day - Public Holiday |
December | 6 | Constitution Day - Public Holiday |
8 | Immaculate Conception - Public Holiday | |
25 | Christmas Day - Public Holiday | |
26 | St Stephen Day - Public Holiday |
This website was launched on 1 May 2002