Mallorca parties to celebrate La Patrona Fiesta

As you walk through the narrow streets of Pollensa right now you will see ticker tape suspended from the balconies overhead and it is clear that there is something going on in this usually quiet Majorcan town. Infact, there is no doubt that there is a fiesta taking place as the square is beautifully decorated in white ticker tape, and lights and flags are hanging all around Pollenca and Puerto Pollensa. The flags symbolise the Moors and Christians festival and show that the town is in preparation to celebrate their victory for another year.

Before the main event on Thursday evening for the ‘simulacre de moros i cristians’ at La Patrona 2012 there are many fiestas and activities happening around the town of Pollenca in North Mallorca. The locals love a good party and this years festivities have not been a disappointment. This years parties include ballroom dancing in the square, an ‘apron party’ in the Ca la Gran Cristiana gardens and the famous Marxa Fresca, where the square is transformed into an 80s disco.

On last Friday evening a small Mallorcan band called Trio Brumas provided ballroom dance music in the main square, where the older generations took to the floor to show off their best moves and teach the youngsters how dancing is really done. The restaurants around the square were all very busy with families ready to get into the party spirit. People of all ages are catered for at the fiestas for La Patrona. Generally, in the early evening at around 6.00pm when the air is cooler, the childrens parties begin with a Marxa Fresca Infantil, ice-cream parties and bouncy castles to keep the kids entertained before dinner.

The biggest party of that Friday night was definitely the ‘Festa del Davantal’ organised by the boys from the Associació de Músics Pollença (AMP). Each year the boys host a themed party in the Ca la Gran Cristiana gardens with DJs playing popular dance music and bar staff pouring drinks from a well stocked bar. The party has been running for four years and themes such as hats, ties and Hawaiian shirts all preceded this years apron party. The party kicked off around 11.45pm after a concert ended in the Claustre de Sant Domingo (concerts take place most evenings in this stunning setting and cost around 1€ - 3€ depending on the event).

The town of Pollenca doesn’t have any late night discos or clubs and that is why fiestas like the Festa Davantal are so popular. The party comes to the people meaning no hassle with taxis or travelling to other towns, and best of all there is no entry fee. Every inch of the gardens was taken up by dancers and the party lasted just about until the sun started to come up. The most popular tunes were the classics, especially the Catalan band Sopa de Cabra where everyone was singing along and having a good time. Of course there were the more English-friendly chart toppers too which meant nobody was left out.

On Tuesday the fiesta of Marxa Fresca took place in the main square which was transformed into a sea of white as party goers came from all over to dance to the sounds of the 80s from DJs Tomeu Perelló, C&C Music Factory and Tomàs Mir. Traditionally the fiesta has a white theme and this is why you see people all over town in their DAS fresh whites without a hint of black to be seen. The open air fiestas are brilliant fun in Pollenca and everyone loves dancing to a good 80s hit. Originally the Marxa Fresca was a nightclub in the town of Puerto Pollensa and this fiesta for La Patrona pays tribute to the nights it had back then. Bars around the square set up temporary outdoor bars and serve drinks in hard plastic cups for a 1€ deposit, you can either keep a hold of your cup as a souvenir or take it back to the bar or council to get your Euro back.

Tonight in Pollenca there will be one last fiesta before the battle which takes place tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm and is sure to be another proud moment for the people of Pollenca. For those not wanting to get into the thick of things the battle is shown live on the local Majorcan TV channel IB3. The programme for the fiesta can been seen here.