Does Christmas lose its charm without snow and frost because Santa Claus arrives in a sleigh? Not at all! Travel to Mallorca at Christmas and see for yourself. About 115,000 heavenly lights illuminate the Christmas season until January in nearly 100 selected streets and squares of the Mallorcan metropolis. And each street shines with different patterns, from stars to flowers, from wreaths to Christmas trees.
Festive light chains with a total length of 250 kilometers and 6,000 luminous Christmas sculptures make Palma glow festively during Advent. 92 streets and squares are charmingly illuminated in the Mallorcan capital. Every night, the metropolis offers an Advent program with music and street performers.
Additionally, there are several Christmas markets and large nativity scenes. Of course, the Plaza Mayor and Plaza España in Palma are also lit up, with their idyllic Christmas markets. Besides many gift ideas, toys, and handicrafts, there are also numerous sweet stalls, since, as everywhere, mountains of sweets are consumed during the Christmas holidays in Mallorca. An essential treat is “Turrón” (almond nougat) in its countless varieties.
Additionally, the people of Mallorca enjoy marzipan, pastries, and candied fruits. Or sweet soups made of almonds, walnuts, and chestnuts.
On Christmas Eve, the traditionalists enjoy a turkey (endiot de nadal) and attend the Midnight Mass (missa del gall). The main attraction is the “Betlem,” the traditional Mallorcan nativity scene. Mallorcans, by the way, receive gifts on Christmas Day or traditionally on Epiphany.
In all of Spain, the world’s largest Christmas lottery, “El Gordo,” is celebrated. When the winners are drawn shortly before Christmas Eve on December 22, the streets are deserted between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The special feature is that each ticket number is sung live by children on television.
The Three Wise Men
In terms of gifts, the islanders have to wait a little longer. They are only distributed on January 5/6 by the Three Wise Men (els reis mags). The Eastern Magi parade through the city with decorated floats, accompanied by many other elaborately adorned floats.
At our local carnival, candies are also thrown to the children watching the parade. At home, they are greeted by the “Roscón de Reyes,” a crown-shaped cake with dried fruits, inside which a coin, a bean, or a small figurine is hidden. Whoever finds the little treasure in their piece of cake gets to wear a king’s crown for the day.
Christmas markets
In Mallorca, visitors can also look forward to dreamy Christmas markets. Islanders and visitors don’t have to forgo mulled wine, although the accompanying snow will likely be absent most years. All those who enjoy mulled wine can satisfy their craving, for example, at the famous Christmas market at the Nuevo Pueblo Español.
In this charming atmosphere, you can stroll, shop for gifts, drink, eat, and have fun. Most of the admission fees go to charity, and there are plenty of activities and entertainment for children. At least, visitors to Pueblo Español can regularly enjoy artificial snow, and the temperatures in December can also drop to 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. So even for northerners used to the cold, the Christmas atmosphere is assured.
There is also mulled wine at the big Christmas market in Santa Ponça, in the Son Bugadelles Industrial Estate, which is open in December. Many stalls and music are appealing, and Christmas trees are also sold, something quite uncommon on the island. You can also enjoy good mulled wine or champagne at Port Portals.
And there is live music. Finally, there are also the large Christmas markets in the Plaza Mayor and Plaza España in Palma, which are usually open until January 6th, Three Kings’ Day. A particularly atmospheric stroll is through the illuminated streets in Palma, with more than one hundred thousand lights in various patterns.
Shopping is even more fun! It is also recommended to see the beautiful nativity scenes set up in various locations around the city, in addition to specialized guided tours focused on nativity scenes and, above all, on Christmas cuisine, which visit stations of holiday delights and the monasteries of Santa Clara and Santa Magdalena, famous for their Christmas treats.
Christmas Gifts
An interesting store where you can really find a gift for every person and for all budgets (of course, also for yourself…) is Rialto Living in the La Lonja neighborhood: fashion, jewelry, exquisite perfumes, soaps and bath products, home, kitchen and bath accessories, tableware, fabrics, coffee table books, art, and even furniture—all carefully selected by the creative and stylish owners. Additionally, an integrated café-bistro is ideal for a shopping break (www.rialtoliving.com).
In the Santa Catalina neighborhood, there’s Yoyo Urban Chic: Here you’ll find everything for those looking for something eye-catching, colorful, and decorative (C/. Hanibal, 32 b). For gifts for nature lovers, head to Naturalmente, near the Parliament: shells, corals, starfish – everything very decorative (C/. Palau Reial, 3).
Mallorca Gifts – Christmas Gift Ideas
Many Mallorca enthusiasts can be delighted with typical gifts from the island. They don’t have to be just culinary products like olive oils, wines, ensaimadas, or sobrasada.
There are also many handcrafted products, such as baskets or tableware, made on the island. Or perhaps a small piece of the island?
All about Mallorca Gifts
Games of patience and skill are also suitable for people of all ages. But be careful! This can become addictive, as at Mallorca Puzzles, in the old town, you will surely spend hours wanting to try everything.
Imaginarium in Palma, located in Plaza Mercat, is a paradise for children’s toys. And finally, the classic gift: jewelry. The jeweler Pamela always presents beautiful unique pieces in her store Pam Palma near the main post office.
And if you plan ahead, she will create a personalized piece of jewelry for you by Christmas according to your wishes. These are some of our personal shopping ideas, but Palma has many boutiques and shops worth visiting. Stroll through the lovely streets and find your favorite store.
Parties and Outings at Christmas in Mallorca
Those who traditionally get bored under their German Christmas tree should book a flight to Mallorca right now. Silent night, holy night? Not at all! The islanders celebrate the birth of Christ loudly in the trendy clubs and nightclubs. Entire families and groups of friends turn the night into day. In Mallorca, Christmas Eve is not traditionally celebrated under the Christmas tree.
Long lines form at the party venues. The main attractions are the many nightclubs and bars along Palma’s Paseo Marítimo and in the Santa Catalina district. A special show program is usually offered, with well-known DJs providing the music.
Make sure to buy your tickets in advance! The parties typically start on Christmas Eve at midnight. As for the dress code, New Year’s Eve parties in Germany can serve as a guideline. Accessories like Santa hats or Christmas baubles are popular for decoration.
Christmas Concerts
Classical music lovers, theater enthusiasts, choir fans, art aficionados, and ballet lovers have plenty to see in Mallorca. However, the Christmas concerts, gospel choirs, and performances of ballet and musicals are especially beautiful. Performance venues include the Cathedral, the Auditorium in Palma, and the Principal Theatre. If you haven’t yet visited the lovely theatre, it’s worth going just for that.
Nativity Scenes in Mallorca
Nativity scenes hold a very special place in Mallorca, and instead of a Christmas tree, they are also set up in homes. A tradition is to add a new figure each year. Whether in churches, town halls, or in the middle of the city, you will find large nativity scenes lovingly decorated throughout the Christmas season.
At the Palau March in Palma, you can visit the 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scene, which is known even beyond Mallorca’s borders. With its 3,000 impressive sculptures and historical buildings, it reflects the era. If you pass by Palma’s Town Hall, make sure to go inside, as since 2014 there has been a nativity scene with 170 tiny ceramic figures. Some highlights of the city of Palma, such as the wall, Almudaina Street, and the palace garden, have been incorporated into it. It’s not uncommon to find nativity scenes throughout the year in Mallorca. We recommend the one at the Monastery of Sant Salvador in Felanitx or the one at the church of the Monastery of Nostra Senyora de Cura on Mount Randa. Another decorative tradition at Christmas in Mallorca is the Neules. These are small round paper artworks that are decoratively hung in the last week of Advent. You’ll likely find them hanging in churches during this time.
Midnight Mass in Mallorca – The Singing of the Sibyl
If you are on the island on Christmas Eve, don’t miss the Singing of the Sibyl (El Cant de la Sibil·la), which was included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010. The Singing of the Sibyl is only heard once a year during the Midnight Mass (which begins at 23:00, La Misa del Gallo, Les Matines de Nadal at the Cathedral La Seu in Palma). If you wish to attend an ecumenical mass in German on Christmas Eve, there are usually two available times at the Cathedral of Palma: the first mass begins at 15:30 and the second at 17:00.
