From mulled wine to Turron – the Firas de Nadal create the festive spirit in spite of mild temperatures.
At Christmas time, Mallorca’s capital Palma is festively decorated.
Christmas markets are booming on the island and become more popular every year so that each year one or two more appear. A great opportunity to try the traditional Mallorcan Christmas delicacies, and there are many of them: Apart from the most important Christmas treat in Spain, the Turron (almond nougat in differing variations) there are the dry, sweet polverones (Christmas biscuits which feel ‘dusty’ in your mouth – from the word polvo = dust). In addition to these, there are all kinds of Christmas cookies, called crespells, and the Neules, ‘sweet snowflakes’ in wafer form or the aniseed-flavoured potato bread (coca de patata), and much more. There is also, of course, gingerbread and mulled wine as Mallorcan Christmas markets are usually a successful fusion of German and Spanish traditions, the best of both worlds. Those who have not yet bought presents will surely find something here. And the Christmas spirit is free into the bargain, even if the sun is shining.
Where is which Christmas market?
On November 24, Palmas mayor brought the city to shine.
Before the Christmas markets open, on the 19th November, the elaborate and beautiful Christmas illuminations in the city centre are switched on. On the 25th November, ‘Black Friday’, when shops tempt with offers of exceptionally high discounts, Palmas Christmas markets open their stalls. Every year little wooden shops on the Placa d’España, the Placa Mayor, the Rambla, the Placa Porta Pintada and in the Via Roma open from 10.00 to 21.00 and spread their Christmas cheer. Everything is sold here, from the nativity figures, so important in this part of the world, and the glittering, multi-coloured Christmas decorations to specialized arts and crafts such as jewellery, ceramic, candles etc. – in fact, a classic choice of Christmas decorations and gifts. The Christmas illuminations light up the town far into the New Year, and even the Christmas markets in the town centre stay open until Epiphany on the 6th. January, the day of the Three Wise Men.
The Christmas market in Puerto Portals has established itself particularly well in the last few years and has become a very popular international meeting place for winter residents. The wooden stalls, contrasting with the shining chrome of the nearby yachts, offer delicacies from all over the world – typical Spanish specialities, German gingerbread, Italian and Asiatic offerings, and overall very varied gastronomic offers, and a large variety of unusual Christmas gifts for him and her. The market opens daily from the 17th. December to the 7th. January from 12.00 to 21.00.
A Christmas market that has been attracting visitors from all over the island for years is taking place in Palma in the so-called “Spanish Village”: thanks to the architecture – reduced replicas of particular Spanish buildings – the atmosphere in the Pueblo Español is always very festive and cosy. Here you meet for food and chat, the arts and crafts and the Christmas decorations are noble and high quality and the island radio always donates a mulled wine. From 2nd December to 11th of December. The entrance fee is 10 Euro, for children from 12 years to 6 years it’s 2€ and for children under the age of 6, it is free. The opening hours are from 12 to 23 o’clock.
Another popular and lovely Christmas market takes place again this year in Alaro on the weekend of the 10th. December to the 11th. December, with exquisite exhibitors, good wine of course, and Mediterranean cuisine.
On the first weekend of Advent, many locals come to the Old Town to admire the lights.
Christmas spirit in the villages
Mallorca’s villages are also decorated for Christmas and celebrate their own Firas de Nadal, and their Christmas fiestas have a special, very local charm. There follows a small list showing in which villages the Christmas star lights up accompanied by mulled wine and turron:
- Mercat de Nadal en Santa Ponça
4 de diciembre de 10,00 a 20,00 h.
Ubicación: C/Riu Sil (Santa Ponça) - Mercat de Nadal en el Monasteri de Lluc
3 y 4 de diciembre de 10,00 a 18,00 h. - Mercadet de Nadal en Esporles
3 y 4 de diciembre de 10,30 a 18,00 h.
Ubicado en la Placeta del Jardinet.
Incluye diferentes actividades a lo largo del día. - Mercadet de Nadal en Binissalem
3 y 4 de diciembre
Plaza de la Iglesia
Sábado de 10,00 a 22,00 h. A las 18,30 espectáculo familiar y encendido de luces.
Domingo de 10,00 a 17,00 h. - Mercado de Navidad de Calvià vila
6 de diciembre de 8,00 a 20,00 h.
En el carrer Major de Calvià vila. - Mercadet de Nada en Costitx
8 de diciembre de 16 a 20,30 h. - Mercadet de Nadal en Petra
10 de diciembre de 17,00 a 22,00 h. - Mercat de Nadal de Palmanova
11 de diciembre de 10,00 a 20,00 h.
en la Avenida de la Playa de Palmanova - Mercadet de Nadal de Campanet
11 de diciembre de 10,00 a 18,00 h.
en la Avenida de la Playa de Palmanova - Mercat de Nadal en Muro
10 y 11 de diciembre.
Delante del Ayuntamiento y alrededores
Sábado a partir de las 18,00 h., incluye encendido de luces a esa hora.
Domingo a partir de las 10,30 h. - Rata Market Nadal en Palma
Palacio de congresos de Palma
10 y 11 de diciembre.
De 10,30 a 20,30 h.
Entrada gratuita. - Mercado de Navidad de Porto Cristo.
11 de diciembre. Gratuito. - Mercat de Nadal de Consell
17 de diciembre de 10,00 a 20,00 h.
en Plaça Major. - Nadal i Natura al Botànic i al Museu
Mercado navideño y actividades en el Jardi Botànic de Sóller
17 de diciembre de 10,00 a 17,30 h. - Mercado navideño de Manacor
16, 17 y 18 de diciembre. - Mercado de Navidad de Es Pil·larí
17 y 18 de diciembre de 10 a 19,30 h.
Artesania, fofftrucks, talleres, circo. música,…
Gratuito
Until 6 January, the Ramblas in Palma are iluminated.