What to expect
Artà celebrates Sant Antoni with a devotion that is unmatched in the east of the island. At the heart of it all are the two Dimonis of Artà: their black horned masks are among the oldest and best-known devil figures on Mallorca. From the morning of 16 January they move from house to house with the town band, dancing in front of the doors and playing tricks on the crowd. If you join in, you will soon notice that half of Artà follows along in white shirts with red neckerchiefs.
In the evening the Foguerons are lit, the bonfires in the lanes and on the squares. People grill, sing and drink around the fires while the Glosadors perform their mocking verses in Mallorcan. The night stretches into the early hours, and the atmosphere is rougher and more elemental than at many other island festivals.
The 17 January belongs to the Beneïdes, the blessing of the animals: horses, dogs and decorated carts pass the church and are blessed. The Cavallets dance alongside, a group of children with papier-mâché horse figures whose dance has survived in only a few places on the island. The celebrations end in the church of Sant Salvador, before the Dimonis put away their masks for another year.
Practical tips
- Getting there: By car via the Ma-15; use the car parks on the edge of town and walk the last stretch. Check bus connections from Palma and Manacor in advance, hardly any run at night.
- Crowds: The fire night on 16 January draws big crowds and the town centre gets packed. The Beneïdes on 17 January during the day are more relaxed.
- Costs: Everything is free to attend. Bring your own food and drinks for the grill or buy them locally.
- Best time: Come from around 9 am for the Dimonis dances in the morning, and from nightfall around 7 pm for the Foguerons.