Mallorca dresses up for Carnival 2016
Celebrate Carnival this February with street parties and parades
Most towns on the island have their own Carnival over the weekend, with the largest parties to be found in Palma where the main events are the Rueta (children) and Rua (adults) parades. So do as the locals do, and pick your costume for an unforgettable weekend that both children and adults will enjoy.
There are plenty of events to choose from. For example, Alcudia has special tapas treats from 20:30 on Saturday 6th, followed by a party with dancing and DJ's. The main Carnival parade is on Sunday 7th starting in the Esplanada de l'Esglesia. Meanwhile, in Pollença the Carnival parade takes place at 17:00 on the 6th.
Soller also has it's Ruetta parade on February 5th, while the Rua parade is on February 6th. Many other towns around the island celebrate their Carnival, including Inca, Manacor and Son Servera with a parade followed by a party on February 6th.
Festivities end on Tuesday with a big finale: the burial of the sardine. This strange and solemn evening parade features a humble sardine and signals the end of Carnival celebrations and the beginning of Lent. Local townspeople dress in traditional costume, and the parade is accompanied by a band playing appropriately grave music while the sardine is carried by pall-bearers to the town square where it is ritually burned. The whole thing is played satirically and everyone then enjoys platefuls of sardines.
And don't forget to try out the typical dish during Carnival on the island, ensaimada filled with sobrassada and pumpkin.
