Summer festivals Traditional festivals in Mallorca 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, Calvia, Deia, Muro, Sant Joan, and Felanitx, where “Sant Joan Pelos” 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 Marcal 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, Pollenca celebrates a festival in honour of la Mare de Deu dels Angels, the town’s patron saint. The festival is famous for the Moors and Christians mock battle. The first act begins in Placa 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 Bartolome 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.
A summer of music and shows
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, 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 Calvia 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 Dansamaniga Festival held in Cala Millor from August to December.
For hiking enthusiasts, the ‘Des Güell a Lluc a peu (Guell-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 48 Km 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 a Thursday in mid 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.
Mallorca Nightlife
Mallorca is famous for its nightlife and you are sure to find a club or bar to suit your tastes. From Magaluf - the town that never sleeps to more sleepy retreats, Mallorca offers something for everyone.
There are many places for you to choose from to eat and drink throughout the island from cafés, bars, take-aways to restaurants. The majority of places tend to be steered towards international food. You can find the local cuisine in the smaller restaurants in the inland villages. There are plenty of wines and liqueurs that are widely available, with a large variety of imported alcoholic and soft drinks.
Nightlife in the south of Majorca / Mallorca in the busy, popular tourist resorts of Magaluf and Palma Nova and likened to Blackpool with sun! There are a huge numbers of British tourist that come to Magaluf every year and a large number of English style pubs have now opened to target this market, along with clubs and discos which in the summer rarely close before dawn. Magaluf is where you will find the world famous BCM nightclub.
One of the most popular evening attractions in the south of the island, for all ages and all Nationalities - is the Pirates Adventure (Els Pirates), which is based on the outskirts of Magaluf. It takes the form of a Dinner/Show with a pirate theme, and has short dialogues in English throughout. They are open 8pm to midnight from April through to October, every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Sunday is reserved for an adult’s only show
Contact:
Address: Pirates Adventure, Carretera la Porrassa, Magaluf
Telephone: +34 971 130 411
Fax: +34 971 130 083
Palma is packed with bars and dance clubs. Yes, there are some fun hangouts along the island's northern tier, but for a rocking, laser- and strobe-lit club, you'll have to boogie in Palma. Although Palma is lively it is a lot more civilised than the resort of Magaluf. In Palma you will find many wonderful restaurants that are more traditional to the island rather than being directly aimed at tourists! Plus in the capital you will find many brilliant bars, of all varieties from fun entertainment bars with bands, karaoke, sport etc to bars that you can just chill and watch the world go by. Again you will also find the more Spanish bars in this area too. Then there are the many clubs that play all sorts of music like that of salsa, pop, dance, funky house etc. Palma also plays host to a few casino's which are great fun for a night out to make a change.
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