Christmas in Mallorca: lights, markets and family activities

Christmas in Mallorca brings together some of our favourite family days out: an evening walk beneath Palma’s lights, a visit to a nativity display, a browse around a Christmas market and a stop for hot chocolate. It is also a chance to explore the island’s towns and countryside at a different pace from summer.

Palma Christmas lights switch-on 2026: date and location

Palma’s Christmas lights switch-on is scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2026 at Parc de la Mar, in front of the Cathedral. An artistic show and countdown will mark the start of the city’s Christmas illuminations.

What time do Palma’s Christmas lights switch on?

To be confirmed.

Attending the switch-on with children

The ceremony can attract large crowds. If you are going with children, agree on a meeting point, bring an extra layer for the evening and allow enough time once the programme is published. Public transport may save you looking for parking; check service changes and any access restrictions for the day.

For a walk with fewer people gathered in one place, choose another evening after the lights have been inaugurated. You do not need to attend the opening ceremony to enjoy Christmas in Palma.

A walk to see Palma’s Christmas lights

One of our favourite plans is an evening walk through the centre. Passeig del Born, Jaume III, La Rambla and the old town’s squares can be linked into a route past shop windows and Christmas decorations.

In recent years, Passeig del Born has become one of Palma’s best-known Christmas spots, with lights covering the trees. It is where we usually like to start our traditional Christmas walk.

For a suggested route, start near Parc de la Mar and head towards Passeig del Born. Continue along Jaume III and La Rambla, then take in Sant Miquel and Plaça Major before finishing at Plaça de Cort.

You can walk just part of the route and combine it with a café stop, a market or the nativity displays. Our guide to Palma with kids (in Spanish) includes more ideas for exploring the centre.

Christmas markets in Mallorca

Christmas markets in Mallorca are part of the festive atmosphere, and there are now many to choose from. You will find them in squares, along promenades and at venues around the island, with different things to browse: Christmas decorations, nativity figures, crafts, gifts and local food. Some run for several weeks, while others are fairs held over a day or a weekend.

New: Parc de Nadal at Parc de la Mar

Parc de Nadal, at Parc de la Mar, brings together 60 craft and food stalls and family activities in a memorable setting beneath the Cathedral. You can combine it with a walk around the centre and a look at the Christmas lights, without planning your whole afternoon around a single activity.

Check the Parc de Nadal website for its programme of entertainment and activities, admission arrangements and practical details for each edition.

Markets in central Palma

Central Palma offers several different festive settings within an easy walk. Plaça Major and La Rambla are familiar stops for nativity figures, decorations, crafts and small gifts. The shopping streets and other squares add decorated shop windows and seasonal activities along the way.

A change this Christmas: the stalls previously at Parc de Ses Estacions are moving, with most of them concentrated at Parc de la Mar. The ice rink will remain in its usual location, with an additional rink at Parc de la Mar.

The markets have different characters: some focus on Christmas traditions and decorations for the home, others on crafts and gifts, while food is part of the attraction at others. This variety makes it easy to combine browsing with a café stop and a relaxed walk, choosing the places that appeal to your family. If we had to choose one, it would be Plaça Major, with its nativity figure stalls. One particularly special stall sells traditional Mallorcan figures made from clay.

For a break, consider a traditional café. Our guide to hot chocolate in Mallorca (in Spanish) includes places such as Can Joan de S’Aigo.

Christmas attractions and activities in Palma

Christmas in Palma goes beyond the stalls. Rides, skating, shows and children’s workshops can turn a walk into a family afternoon out. The line-up varies between editions, so choose your activities from the programme available for your visit.

Local shops and business associations also contribute through decorated windows, entertainment and family activities. Some take place in shopping streets and neighbourhoods, so it is worth checking what is happening near the area you plan to explore. Many central squares also have rides for younger children.

Where to find Palma’s Christmas programme

Palma City Council publishes a Christmas programme each year, listing municipal events and information for visitors: market locations, children’s activities, shows, nativity displays, traditions and celebrations. It is a useful reference for planning a day that takes in more than a single square or event.

You can find it on the Palma City Council website. Shops, associations and private venues may have their own activities.

Puerto Portals Christmas Market

The Puerto Portals Christmas Market offers another setting for a festive outing in Mallorca. Its wooden stalls and decorations beside the marina invite you to browse gifts and crafts, take a stroll and stop for something to eat or drink. Check the official Puerto Portals website for activities and opening hours. It also usually has a small synthetic skating rink.

Other Christmas markets around the island

Mallorca’s towns and villages also hold their own Christmas markets. Many take place during the last few weeks of November and the first few weeks of December, although each place has its own calendar. They are often fairs lasting a day or a few days, bringing stalls, local businesses and activities into the squares.

Our favourites include Alaró, Costitx and Lluc, but each has its own charm. They are a chance to discover another part of the island, support small businesses and craftspeople and enjoy a different family day out.

You may find decorations, handmade gifts, sweet treats and local produce, alongside activities organised by participating businesses and community groups. The appeal extends beyond the stalls: explore the surroundings, stop for something to eat and enjoy the atmosphere of each place. The local council or organiser’s events calendar will help you choose a visit and see what is on offer. We usually find this information on each council’s Instagram account.

Palma’s Christmas nativity displays

Visiting Palma’s nativity scenes, known as belenes or betlems, is a tradition passed down through generations. For children, looking for tiny figures and comparing the different displays can turn the walk into a small adventure. Many also have a friar hidden somewhere in the scene for you to find.

The Cort nativity display at Palma Town Hall is one of the best-known stops, with traditional figures throughout. La Misericòrdia, Sant Antoniet, Mercat de Santa Catalina, El Corte Inglés and other cultural and religious venues have also hosted Christmas displays. Individual openings and visiting hours may change between editions.

Palau March is another place to consider for nativity art, including outside Christmas. To plan a route, check the locations and opening times published by the Associació Betlemistes de Mallorca and the organisations hosting each display.

The Cant de la Sibil·la on Christmas Eve

On 24 December, the Cant de la Sibil·la is part of Mallorca’s Christmas celebrations. This medieval chant, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, is one of the island’s distinctive seasonal traditions.

Mallorca Cathedral is one of the places where you can hear it. Check the Cathedral’s website for times and attendance arrangements. Our Palma Cathedral guide offers more ideas for a cultural visit.

Things to do with kids in Mallorca at Christmas

Alongside the lights, markets and nativity scenes, combine indoor visits with time outdoors. There is no need to fill every day with events: a morning visit followed by a festive evening walk can be plenty.

• Culture and sightseeing: museums, monuments and other things to do with kids in Mallorca, checking winter opening hours.
• The outdoors: a walk suited to your children’s ages and the forecast. Winter days are shorter and paths may be wet, but a family walk can be one of the most rewarding experiences of the holidays.
• A family meal: our guide to where to eat arròs brut in Mallorca shares our own dining experiences.
• Skating, workshops and shows: local business associations often organise activities and share them on social media.

Family cinema trips during the Christmas holidays

A trip to the cinema is another of our usual Christmas holiday activities, especially for balancing outdoor walks with a morning or afternoon indoors. Watching a film on the big screen and discovering new family releases can be part of the festivities too.

Our regular cinema choice is Aficine, which we choose for its good-value tickets. Morning screenings at Ocimax Palma Aficine are already a Christmas tradition for us. They also run on weekdays during holiday periods, giving families a chance to see a film in the morning and enjoy other Christmas activities later in the day.

Browse films and book tickets through the Aficine website, and check participating cinemas and conditions on its morning screenings page. Choose a film and session suited to your children’s ages. Morning screenings also have lower ticket prices.

Christmas trains, letterboxes for messages to the Three Kings and local activities can add to the day. Choosing one or two things close together leaves time to enjoy yourselves without rushing and makes room for a spontaneous stop.

Festa de l’Estendard on 31 December

The Festa de l’Estendard takes place on 31 December and commemorates the entry of Jaume I’s troops into Palma in 1229. Its civic ceremonies and events at Plaça de Cort offer an introduction to a tradition with medieval origins.

The standard, the performance of La Colcada and other ceremonial elements make this a very different morning from a visit to the markets or lights. The municipal programme lists the events and their times.

The Three Kings parade in Palma

5 January is another highlight for families. The arrival of the Three Kings and their parade bring music, floats and crowds waiting to see the royal visitors.

Each year, Palma City Council publishes the parade route, the Three Kings’ arrival time and information for visitors. The programme will help you choose where to watch and plan your outing.

If you are going with children, choose your viewing spot and agree on a meeting point. Arriving with time to spare and choosing a less crowded section can make the experience easier.

Christmas in Mallorca: frequently asked questions

When is Palma’s Christmas lights switch-on?

The switch-on is scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2026 at Parc de la Mar. The time is to be confirmed.

Can you see Palma’s Christmas lights after the switch-on?

Yes. The opening ceremony is a specific event, while an evening walk to see the lights can be planned for other dates during the Christmas lighting season. Check the operating dates and times published by the City Council.

Where are Mallorca’s Christmas markets?

Options include the markets in central Palma and Parc de Nadal, as well as Puerto Portals and many towns and villages around the island. Our favourites include Alaró, Costitx and Lluc. Local council programmes and organisers’ websites list the dates for each market.

What can you do for free at Christmas in Mallorca?

Walking beneath Palma’s lights, exploring the towns and villages and enjoying their squares and shop windows are simple activities that do not require an entrance ticket. There are also free nativity displays and events; check the arrangements for each one.

What is the weather like in Mallorca at Christmas?

It is winter and conditions vary. There can be pleasant days for walking, as well as rain, wind and cold evenings. Bring warm clothes and check the forecast before a walk or an extended outdoor visit.

Are restaurants and attractions open during the holidays?

Opening hours depend on the individual venue. Some close on public holidays, shorten their hours or require reservations, particularly on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January. Confirm arrangements directly before planning your day.