Christmas & New Year in Mallorca - The best things to do

The ever-popular Christmas Fair & Ice Rink is hosted once again in the city of Palma with plenty of food stalls and other handicrafts available. Most of the stalls are found around Plaça d'Espanya, with others in Plaça Major and along the Ramblas. Open daily from 10:00 until 21:00.

Palma’s Pueblo Español’s Christmas market is always a much anticipated occasion, and many of the towns, villages and ports will host their own festive markets throughout December and into January. Alaro, Alcúdia, Andratx, Artá, Campos, Felanitx, Llucmajor, Manacor, Muro, Santanyí and Sóller are just some of the towns hosting festivities worth attending.

The market in Puerto Portals is one of the most famous in Mallorca and puts on a wonderful display across a couple of weeks with some fabulously presented arts and crafts and bubbles flowing alongside mulled wine.

Check out our events calendar for the dates of these markets for this year. 

If you want to get your skates on, then there are a few ice skating rinks popping up around the island throughout December, Port Adriano's ice skating rink is always popular amongst families. Puerto Portals usually has a little ice rink in the middle of the port, perfectly positioned in close vicinity to some top-notch restaurants and bars.

Those after the authentic Mallorcan experience must head to Palma cathedral or one of the big churches throughout the island after Christmas Eve dinner – remember that, in Spain, the big family dinner takes place on the 24th. During the 'Misa del Gallo', just before midnight, you'll be able to witness the oldest tradition in the Balearics, the Cant de la Sibil-la, a beautiful medieval chant that represents the sibyls' apocalyptic prophecy and has been declared a UNESCO world heritage event.

Take the strain out of Christmas by booking lunch at one of the many wonderful restaurants on the island. A whole variety of restaurants will be offering their own renditions of Christmas lunch for a set price, so you can just kick back, relax and enjoy the Christmas festivities. Whether you prefer to be in Mallorca's majestic mountains or are more drawn to a sea view there will be something to satisfy your Christmas cravings. 

Mallorca has a huge variety of New Year’s Eve experiences to choose from. The city of Palma will once again be hosting a great street party in the centre with free music, festivities and fireworks from 23:00. Theatre Shows always provide a memorable experience with first-class entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Hotels often host glamorous gala dinner's and restaurants, top-notch tasting menus and often include champagne or cocktail receptions. To continue the fun well into the early hours of the morning, Palma's nightclub’s will of course be putting on the biggest parties on the island – we would recommend booking your tickets in advance.

Many bars, nightclubs, restaurants and hotels across the island will be creating their own celebrations so you can just check out where will be open near you.

Unlike many countries, the Spanish festive season lasts well into January and, in fact, one of their biggest celebrations is on January 5th when all of Spain celebrates the Three Kings Day, celebrated in memory of the three wise men who brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Even though the actual fiesta is on January 6th, it is on the day before that they visit all the places around the island and hand out sweets in what is one of the biggest parades of the year. The city of Palma celebrates the main one but most resorts, villages and towns have their own version. That night, Spanish children leave their shoes under the tree as well some food and champagne for the kings – and some water for their camels – and, next morning, there are gifts all around them.

Christmas and New Year are magical times to visit Mallorca. With the celebrations going well into January, why not book a quick, last-minute trip to the island?