Palma de Mallorca, 25th Nov 08

ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES ON MALLORCA

Christmas on Mallorca offers culture, tradition and fun and is the ideal location to spend the holidays. Here with a sample of what the visitor can enjoy...

Nativity Scenes around Palma

This custom, which first dates back to the 18th century in Spain, is well kept on the island and in Palma the visitor can see some of the oldest and most ornate nativity scenes. A few examples include: Can Marques (www.canmarques.net), Santa Catalina Market, The Misericordia Cultural Centre, and churches such as the “Iglesia de la Sang”, which features a crib dating back to 1480. The March Foundation Museum has an ornate crib scene of Italian origin dating back to the 17th century. In Palma Town Hall the nativity scene reflects island life and all the figures are handmade. Further information can be obtained from any of the local tourist offices. www.itineraris.org.

Christmas Culture & Food Guided Tours - Palma

A series of guided cultural food tours will be available in English throughout December with a special Christmas gastronomic theme. The two hour tour takes in the traditional flavours of Christmas on the island to the more conventional and participants will be able to sample different foods en route. Cost is 10€ per person and more information can be obtained from any of the Palma tourist offices or www.itineraris.org.

Christmas Shopping

The majority of shops throughout Palma are open throughout the day (although some traditionally close at lunchtime).

Christmas Markets

A large selection of Christmas goods, including everything you need to make your own nativity scene, will go on sale from December 2nd in Palma’s two main plazas: Plaza Major and Plaza España. In addition, live street entertainment will be taking place around the city each weekend leading up to Christmas.

Palma Town Hall has compiled a guide to the best shopping in the Mediterranean which is available from all local tourist offices.

Christmas & New Year Concerts

Palma Cathedral will host a Christmas concert on December 7th and on December 12th a performance of “The Messiah”. A “Creole Mass” organised by the local Argentinean organisation is schedule for December 19th and on December 21st there will be a Christmas benefit concert. More information: www.catedraldemallorca.org

The Balearic Symphonic Orchestra will perform their Christmas concert on December 20th in Palma’s Auditorium and their New Year concert on January 2nd. Information: www.simfonica-de-balears.com

Palma’s “Teatro Principal” will organise its own Christmas concert on December 21st. A cappella choir will perform Christmas songs on December 23rd. On January 7th there will be a special Three Kings concert where young, promising musicians will perform works by Beethoven, Franck and Sarasaste. Information: www.teatreprincipaldepalma.cat.

The Jazz Voyeur Festival will be bringing the gospel to Mallorca with the Mississippi Mass Choir on December 12th in Palma’s Auditorium. www.jazzvoyeur.com

On New Year’s Day Woody Allen will be performing with the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band in the Palma Arena: www.artescenic.es.

New Year’s Eve

Palma commemorates the anniversary of the Christian conquest of the city by King Jaume 1st on December 31st in 1229. In the morning there is a formal ceremony at Palma’s Town Hall followed by a religious ceremony in Palma Cathedral, and traditional Mallorcan dancing and music.

At night, the locals will take to the streets to greet the New Year all over the island. Traditionally bands play in front of the local town hall and the bells ring out the Old Year whilst revellers open bottles of “cava” and eat grapes in time with the chimes up to midnight. Fireworks can be seen all over the island but the most spectacular fireworks display can be seen from Palma’s Paseo Maritimo running between the sea and the city walls.

Fiestas

Local festivals at this time, which are celebrated throughout the island, are extremely popular with local visitors. The main ones include: The Three Kings (January 5th) elaborate parades of the Three Kings are held throughout the island, sweets and presents are thrown to the children in the crowds; Saint Anthony – the patron saint of animals – people bring their animals to be blessed to the local church (17th January); Saint Sebastian (January 20th) is the patron saint of Palma and all the plazas feature different types of live music on the 19th when bonfires and barbecue grills are lit around the city so that revellers can grill their own supper as they enjoy the music.

For further information, please contact:
Mallorca Tourist Board, Dominique Carroll / Anna Skidmore,
Tel:(+34) 971 725 396 Fax: (+34) 971 713 540
E-Mail: info@fomentmallorca.org

Further Press Releases:

FIVE NEW HOTEL OPENINGS IN MALLORCA SPRING – SUMMER 2013 (31st May 13)

GOOD NEWS FOR MALLORCA IN 2012 (09th Feb 12)

THREE KINGS - THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE! (05th Jan 12)