The whole of the Balearic islands is an area where you will find lots of festival celebrations. Palma in particular being the capital city is an excellent place to go if you’d like to experience a festival. The first one of the year is held on 20th January, and celebrates Saint Sebastian patron saint of Palma de Mallorca. On the eve of this festival concerts in various musical styles are held in the squares of the city’s old quarter.
The last festival of the year is the Festa de l’Estenard (Festival of the Standard. Held on the 31st of December it commemorates the arrival of the troops of Jaume I the conqueror which was the end of Moorish rule in the region. This festival dates back to the 13th century and is one of the oldest in Europe. Various events are held on this date including a religious thanksgiving ritual and a civil ceremony at which the royal standard is the main focus.
Various other festivals are held through out the year in between these two. The Mare de Deu de la Salut on 8th September where a solemn mass is held at Sant Miquel’s church with a children’s festival, music and folk dancing followed by a street procession, floral offerings and more music. The Colcada de la Beata (procession of the blessed) is on the third Saturday in October and involves a dusk procession where the song of La Beta is sung. The first Sunday after Easter is the Diumenge de l’Angel (Angel Sunday). On this date people make a pilgrimage to the castle of Bellver. 24th June is the date set for La nit de Sant Joan (Saint John’s night. This celebration involves lots of bonfires, firework displays and other entertainers. There is also the pilgrimage of Sant Bernat on 19th August where citizens carry reeds to the Monastery de la Real where a mass is held for Saint Bernard and is followed by an open air festival with dancing and folk music.
These are just a few of the many celebrations that take place here, with others involving Christmas, Midsummer, wine growing, and many of the other saints who are held in high regard here. In fact, when you visit Palma, it’s worth checking out what festivals will be occurring around the time you plan to be there, as they are always worthy of attention.
