The Art of Mediterranean Living

Places to Go:Festivals

Scarcely a week goes by in Mallorca without a festival. Find out where and when.


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Cossiers Dance of Algaida
Cossiers Dance of Algaida

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Algaida
One of Mallorca\\\'s most enigmatic celebrations is the Cossiers Dance of Algaida, in which six men, one woman, accompanied by a demon, dance to the rhythms of the traditional flabiol wood flue. The dance is performed on the eve of St James and follows a strict route known as a quadrat. Throughout the medieval period dimonis were used to keep dancers in line, say some scholars, while others see the presence of the woman as representing the soul in battle with evil, personified by the dimoni.
Time July 24/25
Where Algaida
Price Free!
Nit de Foc
Nit de Foc

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Palma
Mallorcan\\\'s celebrate midsummer with the Nit de Foc, or Night of Fire on the feast of Sant Joan. In Palma, there are bonfires and spectacular firework displays along the beach, a scene repeated in towns throughout the island.
Time June 24
Where Sant Joan, Palma and around the island
Price Free!
Sant Bartomeu.
Sant Bartomeu.

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Sóller
Have a hell of a time in Soller, as fire-wielding demons take to the streets. During the fiestas for town patron St Bartholomew. the normally placid town square is transformed into a Breughelesque inferno with fire pouring from the sky as a raucous legion of sharp-horned frenzied demons – or dimonis – is unleashed on the streets. Wear a hat or hood to avoid singed hair.
Time August 24.
Where Sóller
Price Free!
Es Firo
Es Firo

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Sóller
Rattle your sabre, sharpen your scimitar and ready your musket for some rowdy fun. The people of Sóller celebrate their 1561 victory over marauding pirates on the Monday following the second Sunday in May. Starting in the town square at 3pm.
Pirates arrive in the port at 5pm and seize the town at 8pm. Christian victory by 9pm. Revelry follows
Time May 11
Where Sóller and Port Sóller
St Sebastian Fiestas
St Sebastian Fiestas

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Palma
A week of raucous revelry takes over the streets and squares of Palma to celebrate the city\'s patron saint. Events climax on Jan 25, with hundreds of fire-wielding dimonis charging through the main streets at 7pm and a dazzling fireworks display at the Parc de la Mar at 9pm. You can view the whole programme by clicking the above link - but it\'s SLOW!

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