Mallorca is not only worth a visit for a summer holiday, it offers exciting holidays at all times with its outstanding cultural programme! As mild temperatures prevail in December, vacations can still be enjoyed in a t-shirt and those who spend New Year’s Eve in Mallorca can get ready for lots of fun and new customs with something for everyone whether it be a big party in one of the clubs in Palma or rather one of the small but very cheerful street festivals in one of the beautiful coastal towns.
The festivities in the island capital
Whoever wants to see the biggest firework display on the island has to be in Palma. The spectacular display takes place in the harbour and can best be admired from the Paseo Marítimo, Palmas sea promenade, or from the La Seu Cathedral. The Castell de Bellver also offers fantastic views of the fireworks which light up the night sky above the city and the sea.
The capital of the island definitely offers the largest and most colourful New Year’s Eve activities. Countless discos, bars and clubs offer live music and shows and those looking for a stylish dinner can find special gala dinners in many hotels, in addition to the special New Year’s menus offered by the numerous restaurants in and around Palma.
Accompanying the multi-course exclusive dinner is good wine to properly celebrate New Year’s Eve. In any event it would be recommended to speedily reserve and in the most popular restaurants it may already be difficult to get a table.
Also with all other restaurants it would be best to make a decision within the next few weeks and make a reservation at least one month before, and it is a similar situation with holiday accommodation. Since Mallorca is such a popular place to start the New Year, many hotels will already be full and fincas and holiday homes offer a greater chance to find comfortable accommodation.
On the Plaza de Cort, Palmas town square, one of the largest open-air celebrations takes place. On a stage music is played live and the traditional grape-eating is celebrated. Just before midnight a bell rings every three seconds. This is oriented on the clock on the Puerta del Sol in Madrid and at the sound of each of the 12 bells one of the twelve grapes ( “Uvas de Suerte”) is eaten, and for each grape a wish is made. As there is, therefore, not too much time to spare between eating each grape, laughing, and making wishes it is prudent to prepare as the seconds are counted down.
The village squares awake
Those on the island who do not go to Palma still carry out the tradition so that even in the smaller villages the people gather in the village square to say farewell together to the last minutes of the “old” year and enjoy the lucky grapes. The larger hotels, of course, also offer special New Year’s Eve events and the New Year can be greeted with lots of music and dance together with other tourists.
Those who do not want to miss the traditional village festivities can dine first in a hotel before mixing with the local people. For large-scale parties the countless restaurants, discos and bars in El Arenal or Magaluf, where a festive atmosphere always prevails, are the place to go.
The arrival of the holy 3 kings
When you have recovered from New Year’s Eve, you should definitely not miss the arrival of the 3 kings! This is celebrated in Palma with a great parade held on the 5th of January and starting in the port of Palma when Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar arrive by boat and parade through the city to the town hall.
In 2015 there were almost 20 festive floats making up the large parade and throwing sweets for the children. There is an almost magical atmosphere, especially on the Born and the Ramblas along which the procession also goes, still ablaze with light in their Christmas decorations so that the wagons with the three kings pass under a magnificent sea of lights.
