What to expect
The Encesa de llums is the evening when Palma switches on its Christmas lights. For many families in the city this is the real start of the season: from that evening the streets of the centre are lit up, and at around the same time the Fira de Nadal, the city's Christmas market, opens.
For 2026 the city has already announced the date and place: Saturday, 21 November, in Parc de la Mar below the cathedral, with a large show for the switch-on. The new Parc de Nadal with stalls and an ice rink opens there on the same day. The time and running order have not been published yet. In 2025 the switch-on took place on 22 November at Plaça d'Espanya. From 6:30 pm, cercaviles, street parades with music, giant figures and street theatre, made their way to the square, and the lights went on at around 7 pm. For years before that, the event was held on the Born. This matters for your planning: location, time and format change from year to year. The 2027 date is derived from last year (a Saturday in late November) and is not confirmed. The city usually publishes the programme a few weeks in advance on palma.cat.
The evening is short: the switch-on itself lasts only minutes, and the parade and music around it a good hour. Afterwards the crowd spreads out into the illuminated streets and towards the market. Everything else coming up during the season, from public holidays to changed opening hours, is covered in our guide to Christmas in Mallorca.
Practical tips
- Getting there: On foot or by bus. Parc de la Mar is on the seafront below the cathedral, a few minutes' walk from the Born. Driving into the centre is not worth it that evening; expect road closures around the park.
- Crowds: The area around the stage gets packed from about half an hour before the switch-on. If you want your children to see well, stand along the parade route rather than directly in front of the stage.
- Costs: The event is free.
- With children: Bring a warm jacket, as late November evenings are noticeably cool. Right in front of the stage is impractical with a pushchair; the edges of the park are more relaxed.
- Check beforehand: Confirm the location and time on the city's website a few days before. Last year's meeting point may be empty this year.