Festivals in Palma de Mallorca

The Festival of St. Sebastian is the most popular and important celebration in Palma de Mallorca in honour of the city's patron saint. It takes place around January 20. For a few days, the city becomes an authentic popular festival of enormous attraction, drawing an impressive number of attendees. Its origin dates back to the 17th century.

The night before, on January 19, bonfires are lit and huge popular barbecues called “torradoras” are organized, all animated with dances, music and a fiery celebration.
 

These celebrations include concerts by “xeremiers”, musicians who play the “xeremias”, a traditional wind instrument from the Balearic Islands that resembles the Scottish bagpipe.

Both the bonfires and the music are key elements of the Festival of St. Sebastian, as are the traditional “Correfoc” where the “dancing devils” perform street shows with flares of enormous colour and great appeal.

In addition to these lively and picturesque celebrations, during the Festival of St. Sebastian there are workshops, magic acts and circus exhibitions specially designed for children, especially in Sa Riera Park.