Palma de Mallorca’s event calendar follows the Mediterranean rhythm: quiet in winter, then building through spring to a summer peak, with a strong cultural autumn. The biggest celebrations are Sant Sebastià in January, Nit de Foc in June, and the Nit de l’Art in September. Mallorcan festivals blend Catholic tradition with pagan fire rituals, often involving bonfires, fireworks, and the correfoc (fire run) where costumed devils dance through the streets with sparklers. Here’s a month-by-month guide to Palma’s main events and festivals.
Palma de Mallorca Events: January to March
Three Kings Parade (January 5)
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The Cabalgata de Reyes marks the climax of Spanish Christmas celebrations. Elaborate floats parade through Palma’s center starting at the Moll Vell (old port) around 6:00 PM, winding through Jaume III, Passeig del Born, and ending at Plaça de la Reina. The Three Kings throw candy into the crowds, and the event draws thousands of families. Arrive by 5:00 PM to secure a good viewing spot along Passeig del Born.
Sant Sebastià Festival (January 19-20)
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Palma’s biggest annual street party celebrates its patron saint with two days of free concerts, bonfires (foguerons) on the beaches and in city squares, and the correfoc fire run on the evening of January 19. Multiple stages across the city host live music from 8:00 PM until 3:00 AM, covering everything from traditional Mallorcan folk to rock and electronic music. The main stage sets up in Parc de la Mar below the cathedral. Local restaurants set up outdoor grills (torradas) serving grilled sobrasada sausage and other Mallorcan specialties. This is the one winter event that draws crowds comparable to summer, and hotel rooms book out well in advance.
Sa Rua Carnival (February or March)
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Palma’s Carnival happens on the weekend before Ash Wednesday (dates vary between February and March). The main parade (Sa Rua) starts at 5:00 PM on Saturday from the Parc de la Mar and proceeds along the seafront, with elaborate costumes, samba bands, and dance troupes. Tuesday is the children’s carnival (Sa Rueta). The event is smaller than Carnival in Tenerife or Cádiz but has a distinctly Mallorcan character.
Palma de Mallorca Events: April to June
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Semana Santa (Holy Week, March or April)
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Holy Week processions in Palma are solemn and elaborate affairs, with 33 brotherhoods (confraries) parading through the old town carrying ornate pasos (religious floats). The most dramatic procession is the Sant Crist de la Sang on Holy Thursday evening, starting at the Church of the Annunciation at 7:00 PM and winding through the narrow streets by candlelight. Good Friday sees the largest procession, the Sant Enterrament, departing from the Basilica de Sant Francesc. Unlike the more famous Andalusian Semana Santa, Palma’s processions are quieter and less crowded, making them easier to view.
312 Mallorca (Late April)
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One of Europe’s largest cycling sportives, the 312 Mallorca offers three route distances (312km, 225km, and 167km) through the Serra de Tramuntana. The event attracts around 8,000 cyclists from 50 countries. The start and finish are in Playa de Muro on the north coast, but many participants base themselves in Palma and ride to the start. Registration opens in November and typically sells out within weeks. Even if you’re not cycling, expect busy roads in the Tramuntana region on event day.
Nit de Foc / Sant Joan (June 23)
The Night of Fire marks the eve of Sant Joan (St. John’s Day) and is Mallorca’s biggest summer solstice celebration. Bonfires are lit on beaches and in town squares across the island, with the largest gathering at Parc de la Mar below the cathedral from 9:00 PM onward. The tradition involves jumping over small fires (three jumps for luck) and eating coca de Sant Joan, a sweet flatbread with candied fruit. Fireworks begin at midnight, best viewed from the Passeig Marítim. This is a predominantly local celebration, not a tourist event, so expect a genuine Mallorcan atmosphere.
Mallorca Live Festival (Late June)
Mallorca’s biggest music festival runs over three days in late June at the Old Aquapark in Calvià, about 20 minutes from Palma. The lineup spans rock, indie, electronic, and Spanish pop, with past headliners including The Chemical Brothers, Muse, and Franz Ferdinand. Day tickets start at EUR 55, three-day passes at EUR 120. Shuttle buses run from Palma’s Plaça d’Espanya. The festival draws around 30,000 attendees per day.
Palma de Mallorca Events: July to December
Festa de la Verge del Carme (July 16)
The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated in Palma’s fishing neighborhoods, particularly Portixol and El Molinar. The highlight is a maritime procession where a statue of the Virgin is carried onto a fishing boat and paraded along the coast, followed by a flotilla of decorated boats. Onshore, there are sardine barbecues, live music, and fireworks over the water. The celebration begins around 7:00 PM and runs until midnight.
Nit de l’Art (Third Thursday of September)
Palma’s annual gallery night transforms the city into a contemporary art hub for one evening. Around 30 galleries, museums, and alternative spaces across the old town and Santa Catalina stay open from 7:00 PM until midnight, with free entry to all. Es Baluard museum and the Fundació Miró are major participants. The event marks the opening of the autumn art season, and most galleries launch new exhibitions timed for this night. The streets fill with a mix of serious collectors and casual visitors enjoying the free-flowing cava at gallery openings.
Palma Marathon (Mid-October)
The Palma Marathon runs a flat, fast course along the seafront, starting at Avinguda d’Antoni Maura near the cathedral and following the Passeig Marítim and coastal roads. In addition to the full marathon, there’s a half marathon and a 10km race, with about 10,000 runners across all distances. Registration costs EUR 45-65 depending on when you sign up. The race starts at 8:00 AM on a Sunday. Even if you’re not running, the event means road closures along the seafront for most of the morning.
Christmas Markets (Late November to January 5)
Palma’s Christmas markets set up in Plaza Mayor (traditional crafts and nativity figurines), Plaza España (food stalls and mulled wine), and along Passeig del Born (artisan goods and gifts). They’re smaller than central European Christmas markets but offer a Mediterranean twist with churros stands, local almond turrón, and live nativity scenes. The markets run daily from late November through January 5, typically 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with extended hours on weekends and holidays.
