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.
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 2026 and 2027 dates on this page are derived from last year (a Saturday in late November) and are 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, by bus, or by train and metro to Estació Intermodal, which is right on Plaça d'Espanya in case the event stays there. Driving into the centre is not worth it that evening, as the streets around the square are closed.
- Crowds: The area around the square 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. The square itself is impractical with a pushchair; the side streets 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.