JANUARY
16 Revetla de Sant Antoni Abat (Eve of St
Antony's Day) is celebrated by the lighting of bonfires (
foguerons ) in Palma and several of Mallorca's villages -
especially Sa Pobla and Muro, where the inhabitants move from fire
to fire, dancing round in fancy dress. Also observed in Sant Antoni
(Ibiza).
17 Beneides de Sant Antoni (Blessing of St
Antony). St Antony's feast day is marked by processions in many of
the Balearics' country towns, notably Sa Pobla and Artà on
Mallorca.
17 Processó d'els Tres Tocs (Procession of
the Three Knocks). Held in Ciutadella, Menorca, this procession
commemorates the victory of Alfonso III over the Muslims here on
January 17, 1287.
19 Revetla de Sant Sebastià. Palma,
Mallorca, has bonfires, singing and dancing for St Sebastian.
20 Festa de Sant Sebastià. Celebrated in
Pollença, Mallorca, with a religious procession accompanied by
Cavallets (literally "merry-go-rounds"), two young dancers
each wearing a cardboard horse and imitating the animal's walk. Of
medieval origin, you'll see Cavallets at many of the
islands' festivals.
21 Festa de Santa Agnès de Corona, Ibiza.
Traditional dances, live music and fireworks.
FEBRUARY
Carnaval Towns and villages throughout the islands
live it up during the week before Lent with marches and fancy-dress
parades.
MARCH/APRIL
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is as widely observed
here as everywhere else in Spain. On Maundy Thursday in Palma,
Mallorca, there's a religious procession through the streets. There
are also Good Friday ( Divendres Sant ) processions in many
towns and villages, especially in Palma, Sineu (Mallorca) and Maó.
Most holy of all, however, is the Good Friday Davallament
(the Lowering), the culmination of Holy Week in Pollença,
Mallorca.
MARCH
19 Festa de Sant Josep in Ibiza features
live classical music followed by a fireworks display.
APRIL
5 Festa de Sant Vicent, Ibiza. Tiny village
fiesta.
23 Festa de Sant Jordi, Ibiza. Traditional
dances ( ball pagès ) in Sant Jordi, and book-giving
throughout the Balearics.
MAY
Mid-May Festa de Nostra Senyora de la
Victòria in Port de Sóller, Mallorca, features mock battles
between Christians and infidels in commemoration of the thrashing
of Turkish pirates here in 1561. Lots of booze and firing of
antique rifles (in the air).
30 Festa de Sant Ferran in Sant Ferran,
Formentera.
JUNE
23-25 In Ciutadella, Menorca, the midsummer Festa de
Sant Joan features jousting competitions, folk music, dancing,
and processions. Also wildly celebrated in Sant Joan, Ibiza, with
bonfires and fireworks.
JULY
15-16 Día de Virgen de Carmen. The patron saint of
seafarers and fishermen is honoured with parades and the blessing
of boats, especially in Ibiza Town and La Savina, Formentera.
AUGUST
2 Mare de Déu dels Àngels . Moors and
Christians battle it out in Pollença, Mallorca.
8 Sant Ciriac . Small ceremony in Dalt
Vila, Ibiza, to commemorate the Reconquest of 1235, plus a mass
watermelon fight in Es Soto below the walls, and a huge firework
display in the harbour.
Second weekend Festa de Sant Llorenç , in
Alaior, Menorca; high jinks on horseback through the streets of the
town. Also a small fiesta in Sant Llorenç, Ibiza.
20 Cavallet Week-long festival in Felanitx,
Mallorca.
24 Día de Sant Bartomeu. Concerts, cultural
events and a large firework display in the harbour area of Sant
Antoni de Portmany.
Throughout August International Festival at Pollença,
Mallorca, including art and sculpture exhibitions and chamber
music.
SEPTEMBER
Second week Nativitat de Nostra Senyora
(Nativity of the Virgin) in Alaró, Mallorca, with a pilgrimage to a
hilltop shrine near the Castell d'Alaró.
NOVEMBER
16 Festa de Santa Gertrudis , Ibiza. Folk
dancing and live music in the village square.
DECEMBER
3 Día de Sant Francesc celebrated in Sant
Francesc Xavier, Formentera, with fireworks, dancing and
bonfires.
Christmas ( Nadal ) is especially picturesque in
Palma, Mallorca, where there are Nativity plays in the days leading
up to the 25th.