Fiestas in Baleares

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 village ? 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 Revleta 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. Tradicional 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 street. 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 firework display.

April

5 Festa de Sant Vicent, Ibiza. Tiny village fiesta.

23 Festa de Sant Jordi, Ibiza. Tradicional dances (ball pagès) in Sant Jordi, and bookgiving throughout the Balearics.

May

Mid-May Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victòria in Porta 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, Formantera.

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 , Formantera.

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 street of the town. Also a small fiesta in Sant Llorenç, Ibiza .

20 Cavallet. Weel-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, Ibiza .

Throughout August International Festival at Pollença, Malllorca, including art and sculpture exhibitions and chamber music.

Septembre

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. Fol. 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 25 th .