I’m proud to say I love Christmas. This year, I’m excited to introduce my daughter, born earlier this year, to our family tradition. Packing in as many Christmas Markets in Mallorca is a big part of how we do Christmas on the island.
There’s an enormous number and variety of Christmas Markets. Many start now and stay open until after the Three Kings on 6 January.
Christmas markets in Mallorca range from smaller events in the smaller towns and villages to more grand affairs. They often involve supporting a good cause.
Visiting a Christmas market is an excellent reason to spend time in Palma or explore the island.
Whether you live on the island or are visiting for the holidays, nothing gets you in the festive mood more than browsing stall after stall, perhaps fortified by mulled wine or gloopy chocolate a la taza, piping hot sweet buñuelos and roasted chestnuts.
Here are some of our favourite Christmas Markets in Mallorca.
Deià’s Christmas market will be held in the charming Can Vallès building in the centre of Charles Marlow’s home village on 17 December. There’s a selection of locally made crafts, gifts, food and drink and entertainment from live bands and DJs. A typical Deià blend of the traditional and rather more eclectic.
This conscious Christmas market is really lovely. The organisers used to hold it at their finca in Costix – a B&B run by Jada and Barab in the south of the island – but this year they’ve moved it to a Da House of Dance, an indoor venue at 3 Carrer gremi de Ferrers in Palma.
The Spoon Full o’ Moon Christmas market has such a festive and magical vibe and is a great alternative to more commercially-oriented markets.
If you’ve never visited Pueblo Español, the somewhat surreal collection of traditional Spanish buildings created between 1965-1968 under the direction of renowned architect Fernando Chueca Goitia, its Christmas Market is the perfect excuse to visit Pueblo Español.
Pueblo Español’s Christmas Market runs from now until 17 December. Up until 10 December, the market is open from 1pm until 11pm. Between 11 and 14 December, it’s open between 5pm and 10pm. From 15 to 17 December, it’s back to being open from 1pm to 11pm.
The buildings and streets are of Pueblo Español are decorated with lights and lined with intriguing stalls. Santa is in residence.
Get to Pueblo Español from the Ma-20 highway that runs around Palma or walk up from Santa Catalina.
Rata Market Nadal is all about promoting a local, sustainable approach to shopping for gifts for loved ones. It happens between 8-10 December in the Palau de Congressos on the seafront. The grand Palau is a nice 15-minute stroll up from Palma cathedral towards charming Portixol.
Along with a huge selection of artisanal gifts that range from jewellery to art to natural cosmetics to ceramics and plenty more, Rata Market has a mouthwatering selection of food stalls. There’s also entertainment throughout the day.
Alaro is a traditional town in the foothills of the Tramunta mountains a short drive from the Ma-20 highway and around an hour from Deià. Over the years, Alaro has become home to a thriving community of locals and expats from all over the world.
The Christmas Market in Alaro takes place on 9 and 10 December in the Placa de l’Eglésia. There will be over 60 stalls selling a mix of traditional and artisanal crafts, food and drink as well as entertainment.
While you’re in Alaro, you could check out the Tony Mora cowboy boot outlet on the way into the village.
You might also like to make the pilgrimage to the enormously popular Es Verger restaurant on the route up to Castell d’Alaro with its breathtaking views across Mallorca.
On Saturday 10 December, there’ll be a market at Carrer de Bons Aires, 3 between 4 and 8pm with all proceeds going to the Forever Home Cat Sanctuary.
You’ll be able to sip mulled wine and munch on homemade cookies while you browse the handmade pottery, Christmas decorations and gifts and a selection of second-hand clothes in good condition.
And don’t forget that the famous Sineu Wednesday market, the oldest and probably the largest on the island, runs throughout December and January.
Two great reasons to visit this atmospheric town in the middle of the island.
During the festive season, Palma becomes paradise for Christmas shoppers as well as those of us who simply never tire of wandering the streets of this gorgeous pocket-sized city.
The Christmas Market in Placa Major just up from the Ramblas is packed with stalls selling traditional craft items, art, food and drink. It’s a particularly good place to buy figures for your belén, the traditional Spanish nativity scene.
Incidentally, there’s always a splendid belén at the church in Deià during the festive season.
From Placa Major, you can also stroll the ancient narrow streets of Palma’s Old Town where you can discover all kinds of intriguing shops and cafés. The Monasterio de Santa Clara in the Old Town, a strange oasis of peace and tranquillity, has a shop selling artisanal biscuits and cakes and is well worth visiting.
If you fancy some new ink for the festive season, head for Carnivale Finest Electric Tattooing.
These are our favourite Christmas markets in Mallorca but there are many more all over the island. You could probably visit a different one every day from now until after the Three Kings have arrived.
Many of our friends love the Christmas Wonderland at Son Amar, just outside Palma, and the wonderful German-style Weihnachtsmarkt at Santa Ponsa, a short drive up the coast from the city.
Here’s a pretty comprehensive list of Christmas markets in Mallorca. Shop, feast on island food and drink, contribute to good causes of all kinds and soak up the winter sunshine.