The town of Santa Margalida honours its patron saint, Catalina Tomás, with a weekend of celebrations commemorating her beatification by Pope Pius VI.
In true Mallorcan style, the entire town is transformed into a noisy, colourful mass of people. A procession, led by La Beata on foot, leaves the local parish church on Saturday evening. This is accompanied by the authorities, groups of xeremiers (flageolet players), peasants, demons and floats reproducing the most remarkable episodes of the life of this Mallorcan saint.
Afterwards, a raucous mixture of food, wine, music and dancing ensues. Children dress up as devils and run through the streets terrorising the locals, while a few lucky girls are chosen to dress up as Santa Catalina herself and have the privilege of walking behind the floats that wind slowly but steadily through the narrow streets. Sunday is the saint's day, marked by a further procession and a recreation of the life of Santa Catalina Tomás by the inhabitants of Santa Margalida.
Look at the online programme for times & events (available about a week before the festival).
