Mallorca's Christmas Markets

It’s just about that time of year again… The holiday season is creeping up fast and thoughts turn to mince pies, eggnog, parties and yes, that most dreaded of traditions: Holiday Shopping. If you feel your neck hair bristle at the idea of battling it out at El Corte Ingles with little old dears hitting you with their canes to get a hold of that last scarily expensive chunky knitted scarf that your cousin doesn’t really want anyway (she lives in Hawaii for goodness sake!), believe me, we hear you.

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle! The Affordable Mallorca team is here to give you some unique ideas for what to get your nearest and dearest whilst keeping your budget in check and supporting local commerce. How’s that for holiday cheer?!

Palma’s Christmas Markets #

Palma has several Christmas markets and fairs scattered around the city during the Yuletide season of varying size and for all tastes. Here are a few we like best.

Pueblo Español Christmas Market

Each year, the Pueblo Español, a meticulously reconstructed and architecturally stunning old Spanish village near the city centre, gives visitors a taste of what it might have been like to be here in a simpler time. For the Christmas market, the entire area is kitted out with beautiful decorations and lights, making a festive air for all the vendors selling handicrafts, decorations and traditional holiday pastries. The market has a €5 entry fee for those 12 years and older, including a free mulled wine. It runs from the 5^th to the 9^th of December and is open every day from 12h to 23h, and Sundays from 12h to 20h. Father Christmas also makes daily appearances from 12h to 14h, 16h30 to 18h30 and 20h30 to 22h. This year’s market will be held from 5^th to 8^th December.

Plaça Mayor, Plaça d’España, La Rambla, Via Roma, and Plaça Porta Pintada

These markets have five city locations to choose from and sells gifts and all you would ever need to build a serious nativity scene. Vendors have hand-made jewellery for sale, candles, local ceramic pieces and brightly coloured tree decorations. In total, there are nearly 220 stands, so finding what you want is as simple as showing up and choosing what you love! The markets are open from 10h to 21h during the season. Markets open from 29^th November to 7^th January.

Markets Outside the Capital #

Why should Palma have all the fun? Towns and villages all over the island have markets and fairs of their own offering all the best Mallorca has to give!

Puerto Portals
This rather glam affair has become popular in recent years. Situated on the port with views onto the yachts and nearly 40 charming wooden stalls, this Christmas market offers delicacies from not just Spain, but from Asia, Germany and Italy as well. Couple this with a fine selection of unusual gift offerings and occasional live entertainment and you’ve got your list all but covered. The market goes from 20^th December to 6^th January.

Santa Ponça
This one’s for the kids! Music, a merry-go-round and arts & crafts punctuate this popular German-infused market located in the Son Bugadellas industrial zone of Santa Ponça. Open during the week from 17h to 22h and on weekends from 10h to 22h. Market runs from 25^th November to 17^th December.

Alaró
The tiny inland village of Alaró has two markets to choose from! The village Christmas market on the square has more than 60 booths set up selling a fab selection of local crafts and handiworks, as well as seriously yummy food choices and live music and entertainment. Head there on 14^th and 15^th December starting at 10h30.

Port Adriano
Port Adriano deserves honourable mention, as what it offers isn’t really a market. There are food trucks on hand and a fantastic ice skating rink set up as well as giant slides and attractions for the kids. Market days are 22^nd December to 7^th January.

Countryside Christmas Market Costitx
A newcomer to the Christmas Market scene, this holiday fair hosted by Spoon Full O’ Moon in Costitx offers an environmentally conscious afternoon featuring plant-based treats, clothing, jewellery, art, essential oils, cards and organic wine all set up along a charming “Fairy tale Trail”. Live music, decorations, a photo booth, bonfires and karaoke round out the event! Entry is €10 for adults, €5 for kids. The event will be held on 15^th December between 13h and 18h. Address is Poligono 1, Parcela 207 in Costitx.

And if You Get Peckish… #

No Christmas market is complete without having tried a local traditional treat or two. Here on Mallorca, they have things that only come out around the festive time of year and all are worth tasting.

• Turron, an almond nougat that comes in many different varieties and is loved all over Spain.
• Polverones are a type of biscuit, so called because they feel “dusty” when eaten. (Polvo is Spanish for dust.)
• Then there are the cookies called crespalls,
• and the anise-infused potato bread called coca de patata.

Additionally, as there is a heavy German influence on the island, the Mallorcans have adopted some of their well-loved favourites as well, such as mulled wine and gingerbread, making it a truly international experience.

Sources

Artsmallorca.com
Potramallorquina.com
Mallorcatonic.com
Privatepropertymallorca.com
Facebook.com

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