What to expect
Sant Jaume, Saint James, is the patron saint of Alcúdia, and his feast day on 25 July is the high point of summer in the north of the island. The Festes de Sant Jaume stretch over a good week: within the medieval town walls you will find open-air concerts, Verbenes with dancing into the night, theatre, exhibitions, sports tournaments from beach volleyball to chess, and an extensive children's programme. The old town lanes are decorated, the bars put out extra tables, and in the evenings practically the whole town is out and about.
On 25 July itself, the Banda Municipal parades through the lanes in the morning, followed at midday by the solemn mass in the parish church of Sant Jaume right by the town wall. In 2026 the festival coincided with the Trienal del Sant Crist, a procession in honour of the town's crucifix that takes place only every three years and commemorates a miracle recorded in 1507; thousands accompanied the procession through the old town. The feast day closes with a concert by the town band and a big fireworks display over the town walls.
For the main concert, Alcúdia regularly brings well-known Spanish artists to the stage; in 2026 Antonio Orozco performed. These ticketed concerts are the exception, the rest of the programme is free to attend.
Practical tips
- Getting there: TIB buses connect Alcúdia with Palma, Port d'Alcúdia and Pollença. If you come by car, park outside the town walls, for example at the Porta de Mallorca; the old town itself is closed to traffic during the festival days.
- Crowds: On the evening of 25 July and at the big concerts the old town gets very full. The weekday events are much more relaxed.
- Costs: The procession, most concerts and the fireworks are free. You need a ticket for the main concert; in 2026 it cost 38 EUR.
- Best time: Arrive around 6 pm on the feast day and you can take in the evening atmosphere in the lanes, the concert and the fireworks in one visit. The best views of the fireworks are from the town wall or the area around the church.
- 2027 dates: The 25 July is fixed; the Ajuntament d'Alcúdia publishes the full programme with all festival days in early July each year.