Summer in Mallorca

If marine-related activities are characteristic of the summer season in Mallorca, traditional festivals are no less so. They include the traditional open-air concerts in which music and dance provide the entertainment on festive nights. The festival programmes offer a wide range of activities and events for all ages, including the most popular national and international bands.

The festival of Sant Joan marks the beginning of summer. On the eve of Sant Joan Day (23 June), bonfires are lit by the sea and the party goes on until sunrise. This magical night is especially celebrated in Palma, Calvià, Deià, Muro, Sant Joan and Felanitx, where “Sant Joan Pelós” dances as part of a very old ritual.

The next fiesta is the Festival of Sant Pere, the patron saint of fishermen. Many coastal towns organize beautiful sea parades. The Festival of Sant Marçal takes place in Marratxí on 30 June. It is a perfect opportunity to see the pottery products that has made the municipality famous.

The Festival of la Verge del Carme takes place In July. From the promenade, you can see the beautifully decorated boats in procession.

In August, Pollença celebrates a festival in honour of la Mare de Déu dels Àngels, the town’s patron saint. The festival is famous for the Moors and Christians mock battle. The first act begins in Plaça Major at 5am, when the municipal band plays the aubade. The most eagerly awaited event takes place in the evening. It is a re-enactment of the battle fought in 1550 in which the townspeople, led by Joan Mas, defeated Dragut’s pirates.

Sant Bartolomé Day, on 24 August, is celebrated in many towns of Mallorca. The most remarkable event takes place in Alcúdia. “La Festa de les Llanternes” (festival of lanterns) is a traditional local festival. Children parade along the medieval streets with lanterns made with water melons and melons and sing traditional Mallorcan songs.

The Festival of Rei Jaume I is held in Calvià at the beginning of September. It commemorates the arrival of the Christian ships to the beach of Santa Ponça in 1229. The most remarkable events include the re-enactment of the disembarkation and battle between the Moors and the Christians, the “gegants” (giants) and “capgrossos” (large-heads) parades and the medieval markets.

The last summer festival coincides with the end of the grape harvest. In Binissalem, a land of good wines, they celebrate in great style. Wine and “fideus de vermar” (“grape harvest” vermicelli), an old, tasty recipe made with lamb meat, are typical festival food and drink.

In the summer months the number of concerts and shows increases featuring the best artists of the current international scene. They perform in auditoriums and theatres as well as in a large number of festivals held on the island in summer. One of the most important events is a concert at the Torrent de Pareis. It is choir concert that is held in July in a stunning natural venue surrounded by cliffs. This makes it one of the most popular concerts.

Lovers of classical music can enjoy such important festivals as the Deià International Festival, Chopin Festival of Valldemossa (the first festival in Europe that was devoted to the Polish composer), Antoni Lliteres Classical Music Festival (in remembrance of the Mallorcan, Baroque music composer), Mancomunitat Pla de Mallorca International Festival, “Serenates d’Estiu” International Music Festival, Cala Ratjada Serenades, Bellver Music Festival and Pollença Festival (member of the prestigious European Festival Association).

Jazz is also very present in the summer nights with extraordinary events such as Jazz Voyeur Festival, Alcúdia Jazz Festival, Festival Mallorca Jazz Sa Pobla and Sa Taronja Jazz Festival. Other cycles that are held in summer are the Vila de Capdepera International Percussion Festival, Guitarras del Mundo (world guitars), Son de Nit in Pollença, Noches Mediterráneas (Mediterranean Nights), Sóller International Folklore Festival and Waiting for Waits, a festival that pays tribute to the Californian musician Tom Waits.

The Calvià Opera Festival is held in August and September and is devoted to opera bouffe. The most prestigious companies perform in the Mallorca Ballet Season from June to February. You can also see the latest dance productions by small and medium-size companies in the Dansamàniga Festival held in Cala Millor from August to December.

For hiking enthusiasts, the ‘Des Güell a Lluc a peu’ (Güell-Lluc March) takes place on the first Saturday of August. It is a popular pilgrimage that is held annually since 1974. At present it brings together 50,000 participants, many of them from the mainland and abroad. The march begins in Plaça des Güell in Palma at 11pm. An iron sculpture by the artist Pep Canyelles with the title ‘Marxaires’ was installed in the square. The 48Km march takes around 8-13 hours.

“Nit de l’Art” (night of art) is another important event in which gallery owners and artists launch the new season. It is held in Palma on the third Thursday September and it is a unique opportunity to see the work of important figures of the international art scene. Museums, art galleries, culture centres and artist studios are open from 8pm to 11pm. They offer appetizers and wine on a festive night centred on contemporary art.

The event marks the end of summer and the beginning of a vibrant exhibition season in the main cities of Mallorca.