Fiestas
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 Arta on Mallorca. 17 Processo 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 Sebastia. Palma, Mallorca, has bonfires, singing and dancing for St Sebastian. 20 Festa de Sant Sebastia. Celebrated in Pollenca, 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 Agnes 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 Mao. Most holy of all, however, is the Good Friday Davallament (the Lowering), the culmination of Holy Week in Pollenca, 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 pages ) in Sant Jordi, and book-giving throughout the Balearics. MAY Mid-May Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victoria in Port de Soller, 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 Dia 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 Deu dels Angels . Moors and Christians battle it out in Pollenca, 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 Llorenc , in Alaior, Menorca; high jinks on horseback through the streets of the town. Also a small fiesta in Sant Llorenc, Ibiza. 20 Cavallet Week-long festival in Felanitx, Mallorca. 24 Dia 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 Pollenca, Mallorca, including art and sculpture exhibitions and chamber music. SEPTEMBER Second week Nativitat de Nostra Senyora (Nativity of the Virgin) in Alaro, Mallorca, with a pilgrimage to a hilltop shrine near the Castell d'Alaro. NOVEMBER 16 Festa de Santa Gertrudis , Ibiza. Folk dancing and live music in the village square. DECEMBER 3 Dia 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.
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