Mallorca’s best festivals: from San Juan to Es Vermar

If you think Mallorca is just beaches, sun and tourists, you’re selling the island short. People here know how to celebrate—and they do it all year. Almost every month brings a new holiday, fair, parade or festival. They mark not only Christmas and New Year’s, but also almond blossom, the grape harvest and even a day devoted to parsley. Here are some of the most striking and offbeat festivities that shape the island’s calendar.

January: fire, animals and late-night street life

The year kicks off hot—literally. On the night of January 16 to 17, the island honors San Antonio, the saint seen as the protector of animals. Tradition calls for firework-lit processions, and in the morning locals bring their pets—anything from cats to goats—for a special blessing.

Just two days later, on January 19, Palma celebrates San Sebastián, the capital’s headline festival. Concerts spring up across the city, bonfires blaze, and food is grilled right on the streets. People linger until late—some with guitars, others with sausages on skewers. It’s hard not to get swept up in it.

February: when the almonds bloom, the island turns out

Winter is mild here, and by February the trees are dusted with pink-and-white blossoms. It’s especially lovely around Son Servera, where a festival honors the almond bloom. Stalls sell almond sweets, oil, soap and other small indulgences. The result is a cozy fair of food, music and handmade goods.

Spring: silence and candlelight

Spring brings a quieter rhythm. Before Easter comes Holy Week—days of religious processions. People in hooded robes move through the streets in complete silence, carrying candles. The sight is solemn and beautiful, especially in Palma.

Summer: bonfires, beaches and music

Summer on Mallorca means full-throttle festivities. The standout is the Night of San Juan on June 23. Crowds head to the beaches to light bonfires, swim in the sea, beat drums and throw open-air parties. It’s a salute to the start of summer and, by local belief, a cleansing of the bad.

In August, Valldemossa hosts the festival of San Bartomeu. Expect theatrical performances, street parades and events in the old monastery. The mood is calmer, more intimate—no less engaging.

Autumn: wine, sweets and country life

September in Binissalem marks the start of the Es Vermar wine festival. Visitors taste local wines, join street celebrations and sometimes even dive into grape “battles,” flinging fruit at one another.

Come October, the village of Esporles turns into a dessert fair—Fira Dolça. Everything revolves around sweets: cakes, pastries, marmalade and caramel. Add music, workshops and pieces by local artisans for good measure.

Autumn–winter headliners

One of the biggest events is Dijous Bo in November, in the town of Inca. It’s a vast country fair that draws thousands. Stalls offer food, tools, clothing—almost anything you can imagine. It’s the sort of day out that slips by before you notice.

And on December 31, Palma holds the Fiesta del Estandarte—among the oldest celebrations in Europe. It commemorates the city’s 13th-century liberation from the Moors with a formal ceremony and public readings of historical texts. The tone is different here: quieter, weightier.

Why so many celebrations?

Mallorca’s deep history and strong traditions set the pace. People celebrate not for show, but to feel part of something larger. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, you won’t be left on the sidelines.

These gatherings aren’t only entertainment. They reconnect people with their roots, bring neighbors together and trade a day on the couch for a day on the square.

If you’re after a place where any given day can feel special, Mallorca won’t disappoint. And even if you never make the trip, reading about these traditions feels like a small journey in itself.