Christmas on Mallorca: Markets, Traditions and New Year
Sandor Farkas
Founder and editor of Mallorca Plus
Helps expats and residents navigate authorities, housing and everyday life on Mallorca.
Christmas on Mallorca feels different from Christmas in most northern European or North American homes, and that is not a drawback. If you are spending your first festive season on the island as a resident, you will notice that December here has its own relaxed quality. No snow, but mild temperatures around 15 degrees, street cafés still open, and an island that belongs to the locals again once the tourist season has ended.
The festive period on Mallorca starts on December 8 (Día de la Inmaculada Concepción) and traditionally does not end until January 6, the day of the Reyes Magos. Christmas, "Nadal" in Catalan, is present everywhere during those weeks without being pushy. Which of these days are actually official public holidays, and when government offices stay closed, is covered in our overview of public holidays on Mallorca.
At a glance
Christmas on Mallorca is a quiet, family-focused season with traditions of its own: the Sibyl chant in Palma cathedral, Christmas markets in several towns, the New Year's Eve ritual of twelve grapes, and the high point on January 6, when the whole island celebrates the Reyes Magos with parades and presents.
What is Christmas on Mallorca? The Navidades on Mallorca cover the period from December 8 to January 6. December 24 is not the emotional centre of the season the way it is in many other countries. Plenty of families do not open presents until January 6, when the Three Kings (Reyes Magos) officially deliver the gifts.
The Sibyl chant in the cathedral
The most distinctive Christmas experience on Mallorca takes place on the evening of December 24: the "Cant de la Sibil·la" in the Catedral de Palma. A child in medieval costume sings a prophetic song about the Last Judgement, accompanied by candlelight and the midnight mass.
The chant has been recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage since 2010. It is performed not only in Palma but in almost every church on the island. The cathedral performance starts around 10 pm and is free to attend, so arrive early because seating is limited.
Other churches with a particularly atmospheric performance: Iglesia de Sant Miquel in Palma, Sant Bartomeu in Sóller and the parish church in Valldemossa.
Tip: turn up early
For the Sibyl chant in the cathedral, be there at least 45 minutes before the start. The building is large but fills up fast. Warm clothing helps, as cathedrals are cold in December.
Christmas markets on Mallorca
Palma has expanded its Christmas market considerably in recent years. The biggest one sits on Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I and the adjoining Passeig del Born. More than 80 stalls gather here each year with crafts, regional food, decorations and mulled wine, called "vino caliente" in Spanish.
Other markets in Palma:
- Plaça Major: classic market with Christmas decorations and sweets
- Parc de la Mar: larger market with rides and a stage
- Carrer Blanquerna: small artisan market with local products
It is worth heading out of Palma too. Sóller, Alcudia and Pollença run their own markets, usually quieter, with more local character and less pressure from tourists.
Markets normally run from the start of December until January 5, most of them daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
New Year's Eve on Mallorca: twelve grapes and midnight
New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) on Mallorca follows one of Spain's best rituals: when the clock strikes midnight, everyone eats twelve grapes, one per chime. Anyone who manages all twelve before the last stroke is supposed to have luck on their side for the coming year.
From mid-December supermarkets sell small tins of grapes already peeled and de-seeded for exactly this purpose. That saves the frantic peeling in the last minutes before midnight.
In Palma, crowds gather on Plaça d'Espanya or along the Passeig Marítim to see the new year in together. Restaurants offer a fixed-price "Menú de Nochevieja", often with a show and a glass of cava, and reservations weeks in advance are essential.
| Posten | Kosten | Dauer |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas market entry | free | per visit |
| Mulled wine (vino caliente) | 3-5 € | per cup |
| New Year's Eve set menu | 60-150 € | per person |
| Tin of grapes for midnight | 1.50-3 € | per tin |
What happens between the holidays
December 25 and 26 are public holidays in Spain. Many shops stay closed, though plenty of restaurants open with special menus. December 28 is "Día de los Inocentes", the Spanish equivalent of April Fools' Day, when pranks and jokes are fair game.
Between New Year and January 6 the anticipation builds for the Reyes Magos. Children put their shoes by the door so the Three Kings can leave presents. On the evening of January 5 the big Cabalgata parades move through Palma and most other municipalities: loud, colourful and thrilling for children.
There is more on the Reyes Magos tradition in our post about the Three Kings on Mallorca.
For a wider picture of island life outside the festive weeks, see our article on Mallorca in winter as a resident.
Practical tips for the festive season
Opening hours over the holidays are unpredictable. Even supermarkets cut their hours or close entirely on December 25 and 26. Do your shopping in good time, by the afternoon of December 24 at the latest.
If you want a church service in English, the Anglican chaplaincy on Mallorca holds services at St Philip and St James in Palma and at St Andrew's in Port de Pollença, including over Advent and Christmas. Current times are published on the Anglican Church Mallorca website.
Restaurants in tourist areas that close outside the high season often reopen over Christmas. That is a good chance to visit places that are otherwise hard to get into.
Book New Year's Eve restaurants early
Good restaurants on Mallorca are booked out weeks ahead for New Year's Eve. If you do not get a table, celebrating at home is no hardship: grapes, cava and the chimes on television do the job just as well.
Conclusion
Christmas on Mallorca is quieter, warmer and more self-contained than in most of northern Europe. The Sibyl chant in Palma cathedral is the kind of thing people remember for years. The twelve-grape ritual pulls in even the sceptical newcomers. And if you think December on a holiday island must be dull, wait until January 6, when the entire island takes to the streets for the Reyes Magos.
A full overview of every public holiday and festival on the island is in our Mallorca events calendar 2026.
Official information about Christmas events in Palma is published by the city tourist office. Details of the Sibyl chant and the Christmas services are on the official Catedral de Mallorca website.