Most of the festivals in Mallorca are based around religion and sailing. Countrywide events such as Semana Santa and Corpus Christi are celebrated, as well as many local gatherings like Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victoria in the quiet resort of Sóller.
Carnival Parades
Palma de Mallorca is the host of the Carnival Parades in February and March, when residents don fancy-costumes and march through the streets of the capital. The best takes place just before Lent, with numerous activities tourists can enjoy along with local food and drink.
Princess Sofia Trophy
Teams from around the world compete over this five-day event in early April, including Olympic sailors. Yachts race around the bay of Palma in several classes, including Radial, Laser, 49ers, and 470.
Semana Santa
Semana Santa, also known as the Holy Week, is one of the main holidays in Mallorca. Beginning on Palm Sunday in early April with street parades, the La Sang procession on Maundy Thursday sees an effigy of Christ carried throughout the town.
Festa de Nostra Senyora de la Victoria
This fun event is a must for anyone in the Sóller area. It marks the day when Muslim invaders from Turkey tried to attack the island in 1561 at Port de Sóller, but were subsequently slaughtered by the Mallorcans. A mock battle complete with gunfire takes place on the second Sunday in May.
Corpus Christi
One of the multitude of religious events in Mallorca, Corpus Christi sees locals dress in traditional garb and sing and dance island-wide in June. Good to watch in Palma, the event is also popular in Pollença, in the north near Alcudia and includes the Dance of the Eagles. Alaro and Magaluf are also worthwhile destinations to witness the celebration.
Mallorca Rocks
The Mallorca Rocks Hotel in central Magaluf is known for its party atmosphere throughout the summer as it puts on live music with acts from around Europe.
Copa del Rey
Copa del Rey is a rich yachting regatta held annually in Palma in August. The week-long event has been going since the 1980's and attracts big names from around the world with dozens of vessels racing in the afternoon. King Juan Carlos is regularly in attendance.
Dia de la Hispanidad
Dia de la Hispanidad is welcomed with flag-waving countrywide on October 12 to celebrate the day Columbus discovered the New World in 1492. It’s best seen in Plaça d’Espanya in Palma de Mallorca.
New Year’s Eve
This is a busy time in Mallorca with European holidaymakers heading for the sun. Magaluf is busting to the gills with parties, while Palma is the place to be for the countdown. Spanish tradition dictates the eating of grapes for the final twelve seconds before midnight for good luck.