The 5th of January each year is celebrated throughout all of Mallorca with the
Procession of the Three Kings. In Palma de Mallorca there is always an ornate
procession through the streets to celebrate their arrival in the city, during
which they distribute small gifts and sweets to the children in the crowd.
In common with most of the other towns and villages on Majorca, on January 17th
each year Palma de Mallorca celebrates the Fiesta of Sant Antoni, the patron
saint of animals.
The actual celebrations usually start the night before with the lighting of
small bonfires, which the local residents sit around singing traditional songs
and roasting "botifarrons", which are locally made blood sausages.
The following day there is then a colourful parade through the city in which
hundreds of riders on horseback, floats, and numerous animals all participate.
The celebrations continue throughout January with the Fiesta of Sant Sebastia,
the patron saint of the city, which is then celebrated on January 20th each
year.
Sant Sebastia was believed to have been a captain of a Diocletian’s escort, who
is accredited with protecting the city against the plague, and who's relic
arrived in Palma in 1523.
The Fiesta of Sant Sebastia is the biggest event of the Palma cultural calendar
with many of the city’s squares being transformed into stages where bands play
live music.
Traditionally each square would specialise in a particular music style, some
would play rock, and others flamenco, jazz or classical music.
The Carnival Fiestas on Mallorca 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.
The city of Palma is widely recognised as hosting the largest event on the
island, this being the carnival of Sa Rua which is always held on the last
weekend before Lent.
Throughout all of Spain Holy Week always plays a very significant part in the
cultural calendar, and Palma is certainly no exception.
The celebrations begin on Palm Sunday with the traditional blessing of palms and
olive branches at churches all over the island, which is then followed by grand
parades through the streets each night, including the solemn "La Sang"
procession, held on Maundy Thursday, where the crucified Christ is carried
through the city.
On June 23rd the Fiesta of Sant Joan in Palma de Mallorca always marks the
beginning of the islands' series of summer fiestas.
Central to this event is the spectacular Nit de Foc where huge bonfires and
firework displays are held in the Parc de la Mer in the city.
On September 8th the Fiesta of Mare de Deu de la Salut is celebrated in Palma de
Mallorca. The night before the fiesta there is a huge procession on the city
streets accompanied by colorful floral offerings and local folk music.
On the day of the fiesta, a solemn mass in honour of the Virgin Mary takes place
in the church of Sant Miguel, where a large image of the Mother Mary is held.
After that event, the city celebrates non-stop music and folk dancing.
The next event of any significance is the Fiesta of Santa Catalina Tomas, which
is held on the third Saturday in October each year.
Central to this fiesta is the Cavalcade of the Beata, which is a colourful
parade of floats which winds its way through the city streets accompanied by
bands.
The Fiesta of the Estendard, which is also known locally as the Fiesta of
Banderole, is the final event of the year taking place on December 31 to
commemorate the anniversary of the Christian conquest of the city by King Jaume
I in 1229.
There is an amazing procession from the town hall which is then followed by a
special mass at the magnificent La Seu Cathedral.