What to expect
Palma celebrates carnival with two big parades. Sa Rueta, the children's parade, opens proceedings: on the Sunday one week before the main parade, children in fancy dress, schools and families set off from the Rambla through the old town from about 11 am, with hands-on stations, music and entertainment into the early afternoon. In 2026 Sa Rueta took place on 8 February.
The highlight follows on the Sunday after with Sa Rua, the island's biggest carnival parade. In 2026 that was 15 February. From 5 pm decorated floats, dance groups, comparsas and thousands of people in costume move through the city centre. The classic route leads from the Rambla along the Carrer de la Riera and the Carrer de la Unió to the Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I and on to the Avinguda Jaume III. A jury awards prizes for the best costumes and floats, and spectators often stand several rows deep along the route.
Unlike Rhineland carnival, Sa Rua is less about showers of sweets and more of a costume parade: many groups rehearse their choreographies for months. After the parade the party moves into the bars of the old town and around the Lonja. Both dates depend on the date of Easter; for 2027 the rule puts Sa Rueta on 31 January and Sa Rua on 7 February, though the town hall usually only confirms the dates in January.
Practical tips
- Getting there: Take the bus or metro into the city centre; the parade route and side streets are closed to cars. On foot you can reach the Rambla from the Estació Intermodal station in ten minutes.
- Crowds: During Sa Rua it gets crowded along the entire route. Good spots on the Jaume III are taken from about 4 pm.
- Costs: Both parades are free. You pay for costumes, snacks and drinks yourself.
- With children: Sa Rueta is designed entirely for families and takes place during the day. At Sa Rua, the start of the parade is more child-friendly than the dense crush in the evening.