Traditions, markets and gastronomy form the backbone of Christmas in Mallorca. A unique opportunity to discover the most authentic side of the island in the middle of winter.
In Palma, Christmas starts with the lighting up of the Christmas lights in Paseo del Born. It is the starting gun for a month of celebrations. From mid-December on, one can visit exceptional nativity scenes, and street markets are held in Palma and in villages like Inca or Artà until 5th January. On the night of 24th December, the parish churches hold Maitines, or Midnight Mass, during which a young girl sings the part of the Sybil, in a medieval chant that has been declared Intangible World Heritage by UNESCO.
Another important date is 31st December, when at midnight people eat twelve grapes in time with the strokes of midnight and toast the new year. And on 5th January it is Kings’ Night, with a parade featuring the three wise men, Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar, who are in charge of distributing toys and joy. On the following day, people find the gifts and eat tortell, sweet bread containing a dried fava beans and the figure of a king, closing the Christmas cycle in Mallorca.
