Event Previews & Reviews from Mallorca

The Diamond Jubilee celebrations may be over in the UK, but here on Mallorca, we enjoyed a quintessential English garden party at La Residencia Hotel in Deia to mark the British monarch’s 60th year on the throne.

A trip to Deià on the north coast of Majorca is a must for anyone wishing to experience the diversity that this beautiful island has to offer.

In recent years, Mallorca has embraced the street food trend that has hit Western Europe, with food festivals popping up at various events around the island. This new found love went to the next level, as the first weekend in June saw Barcelona’s legendary VAN VAN make its debut trip across the Spanish waters to Palma’s Parc de la Mar, next to the city's iconic cathedral.

The Soller valley contains the village of Fornalutx - high above Soller it nestles into the mountains and its name literally translated means ‘the oven of the sun’. Fornalutx has it all – prizes for being the prettiest village in Spain and accolades from visitors and travel writers that come from all over the world.

This years Sant Sebastia festivities in Palma last Saturday night were much quieter than in previous years as wind and rain put many Mallorquians off coming out to celebrate. However, the rain didn’t last long enough to put out the barbecues on the streets and still crowds were there cooking sausages, toasting bread, and warming up by the foguerons (bonfires).

Happy New Year, the Three Kings have made their journey to all Majorcan homes. They started with their arrival by boat in the Port of Soller where they were met by hundreds of local children waiting for the sweets and smiles from the Kings and their pages. They knew that this was just the start and that overnight the presents would arrive, delivered by the Kings on camels or donkeys.

If you are in Mallorca this weekend, you might notice how the island is gearing up for one of its biggest fiestas of the year. Each June, the locals get together to celebrate in honour of Sant Joan (John the Baptist).

Pitched in a large tent on the outskirts of Mallorca’s capital city of Palma, Grup Trui hosted this years Mallorcan take on the German beer festival, the Oktoberfest. Frothy litres of beer and currywurst were served by waiters and waitresses in traditional German dress and a band played classic tunes to entertain the crowds.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend in Mallorca you are spoilt for choice. There are so many fairs, festivals, concerts and shows on over the next few days and you can find details about them all in our Events Calendar but for a run down of our top five read on....

This year saw the town of Sa Pobla celebrate its 20th annual Jazz Festival. From the 5th to the 8th of August the town’s Plaça Major was filled to the brim with spectators, who had come to enjoy the sounds of the different artistes performing each night.

Nit de Foc, or the direct English translation ‘Night of Fire’, is one of Mallorca’s biggest fiestas. A raucous evening of bonfires, beach parties, midnight swims, music and dancing until dawn. What more could you possibly want from a Friday evening in Mallorca? I was extremely excited to get involved this year, as there had been a lot of hype in the lead up to the evening with locals, expats and tourists all getting involved.

La Patrona is arguably the best and most popular summer festival in Majorca. This fiesta runs from the 24th July to the 2nd August with activities and festivities happening every evening, with the popular ‘Simulacre de Moros i Cristians’ being the final and most exciting event in the schedule.

The Esporles Sweet Fair began in 2005 and is held on the first Sunday of October to guarantee fine weather. The event is becoming increasingly popular and diverse with every passing year and offers a unique opportunity to meet the people who make a fine range of traditional, homemade and, often, organic foods including wines, cakes, pastries, jams and sweets. And, of course, to sample their wares! Here are some of my favourite stands from Sunday's fair, with an insight into the characters and traditions behind the produce.

Extreme by name, extreme by nature. The race up and down Puig Massanella from the picturesque village of Mancor de la Vall is considered by many to be the toughest race in the Cursa de Muntanya race series. This year’s race was made all the more difficult because local landlords would not allow runners to cross their land on the return from the peak.

Mallorca was blessed with perfect running conditions for the Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana (UMSdT) races last Saturday – the 105km “Ultra” from Andratx to Pollenca and the 63km “Ultra Trail” from Valldemossa to Pollenca.

There was a great sense of anticipation at Palma Auditorium on Friday, as people arrived for the one night only show celebrating Glenn Miller and the golden era of swing and big band music.

After a fairly hedonistic weekend of parties, late nights and frivolities it's good to finish a Sunday with something calming, relaxing and healthy. In the Palma area one of the best ways to end the week is at the Zhero Hotel Barbeque.