What to Do in December in Mallorca
Mallorca in December becomes a magical place and, although it is cold, the weather is usually quite pleasant and it only rains eight days in the whole month. The hustle and bustle of summer has disappeared, but nature and the island's most emblematic places remain. As the most important dates approach, the town and villages light up and the festive atmosphere is very familiar. Below you will find a list of what to do during December in Mallorca:
Canto de la Sibila
The chant of the Sibyl is a religious chant of medieval origin that has managed to prevail to this day in Mallorca and Alghero. It has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Sibyl is a young woman dressed in a white tunic. During the act, she walks around the church accompanied by two small children while holding a sword. Although this tradition can be enjoyed in any church on the island, the most spectacular ones take place on the night of the 24th of December in Palma Cathedral and in the Lluc monastery.
The Festa de l'Estandard
The Festa de l'Estandard is considered one of the oldest festivals in Europe, as it dates back to the 13th century, commemorating the arrival of King Jaume I in Palma de Mallorca, the end of Muslim domination and, therefore, the reconquest of Mallorca. This essential event for history lovers is held on the 31st of December. First of all, on the eve of the day, a large wreath is laid in front of the statue of the king in Plaza España. The celebration itself begins in Plaza de Cort, where the Royal Standard of the Conquest of Mallorca and the Cimera are placed, followed by a mass in the cathedral. Finally, it returns to the Plaza de Cort for the reading of the poem 'La Colcada'.
Gastronomy
In Spain, food is a fundamental part of the Christmas celebrations and in Mallorca, it is a perfect example of the island's culture and tradition. Many delicacies make up Mallorcan Christmas gastronomy, such as the famous Christmas soup. A base of broth bathes a unique pasta called galets. Each galet is filled with minced meat. Another popular soup is almond soup, cooked with dried or roasted almonds. Another very typical dish, especially on 25 December, is porcella (suckling pig). It is usually marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, bay leaf and garlic. For dessert, almond nougat cake is usually prepared.
Ice skating
Christmas is synonymous with snow and although Mallorca is not the ideal place to find such a landscape, you will be able to skate on ice on a huge 420 square metre rink. Located in the Des Estacions park, Ice Park is the ideal place to have fun, even with children. From November onwards, don't miss out on this fantastic plan. In addition, some Christmas markets also incorporate ice skating rinks, but they are not usually as spectacular as this one.
Winter Solstice in Mallorca
On Friday 22nd December you can enjoy a unique and very special event. At dawn on Friday 22nd December, the sun's rays will pass through the large rose window of the cathedral's altar and exit through the rose window of the main portal, forming a perfectly aligned cylinder of light, producing a light effect similar to that of a kaleidoscope. The best place to witness this phenomenon is the terrace of the Balurad de Sant Pere. In addition, the Balearic Mathematics Society usually gives a lecture on any subject related to light and mathematics.
Switching on the Christmas lights
On the 23rd of November, it will take place the magical Christmas lights switch-on will take place in Palma. Normally, before the lights are switched on, several light displays take place. In addition, different shows and free activities will be presented in some places in Palma such as Plaza de la Reina, Plaza de Cort, Jaume III and Sa Feixina Park, among others. You can enjoy music, dance, circus and parade performances.
Nativity scenes (belenes) in Palma
By respecting certain decorative traditions, the illusion and emotion of such a special time are recovered. For this reason, placing a nativity scene at home fully represents the spirit of Christmas. Gigantic, well-equipped nativity scenes are usually set up in different places in Palma and are well worth a visit. Although each year they are placed in different places and have different styles, there are some very emblematic ones that are presented every year. For example:
- Belén de Cort
- Belén Centro Cultural La Misericordia
- Belén de El Corte Inglés
- Belén C&A
- Belén Centro de Historia y Cultural Militar de Baleares
- Belén del Club de Mar Mallorca
Christmas markets
One of the best things to do in Mallorca during the festive season is to visit the different Christmas markets that you will find all over the island. At these markets, you can enjoy not only beautiful Christmas decorations but also all kinds of gifts, a wide variety of gastronomy and even activities for the little ones. One of the most impressive is the Christmas and Epiphany Fair. Hundreds of stalls line the streets of the city centre, where you can find crafts, jewellery, decoration, textiles, nativity scene figures and, of course, food stalls and toy stands. Another very peculiar and much more international market is the Christmas Market in Puerto Portals, one of the five best in Europe.