Page 173 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

ENTER T AINMENT IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  171

Medieval events) or celebrate
important harvests (such as
the grape harvest festival in
Binissalem and the melon
festival in Vilafranca de Bonany).
These colourful, bustling cele­
brations, accompanied by
music, dancing and feasting,
can continue for several days,
during which time the town’s
business life grinds to a halt
as the locals join in the fun.
Street processions with
people dressed in regional
costumes or their Sunday
best are often spiced up by the
Partygoers enjoying themselves at Amnesia, Ibiza dimonis – devils that personify
evil, which are defeated in the
Fundació Teatre Principal de during the summer season. end. This happens during the
Maó in Menorca. During the Occasionally, top rock groups or fiestas in Montuïri and Santa
summer season, when the pop stars make an appearance. Margalida. An important
theatres close, theatre festivals You should enquire about element of many fiestas are
come to take their place. These dates and venues in the local the horse races and shows.
are mostly international events. tourist information office. The most interesting of these
Many of these include theatre There are also numerous are held during the Sant Joan
workshops, which offer plenty local regular events, such fiesta in Ciutadella (in
of opportunities for audience as a Rock’n’Rostoll June). The majority
participation. The Centro Festival in Maria de of fiestas, as well as
Cultural Andratx hosts concerts la Salut, in Mallorca, other cultural and
and exhibitions. There are while cities such as entertainment events, are
resident artists in the complex Palma have many held during the summer
too, and it is well worth a visit live music venues. months, at the peak
to see them at work. Some events have Sign for of the holiday season.
Lovers of classical music will become a permanent a horse show Important events
also find something on the fixture in the islands’ taking place outside
islands. World­class musicians cultural calendar. Anyone who the tourist season include the
and orchestras frequently appear loves jazz may know about Procession of the Three Magi
in the concert halls, such as Sant Climent in Menorca. On (Jan), the carnival (Feb) and
the Auditórium de Palma de Tuesdays from May to October, the celebrations associated
Mallorca. In addition, many “jam sessions” are held here. Two with Holy Week.
music festivals and concerts are extremely popular
organized during the holiday events in Mallorca are
season. In Menorca, there are the International Jazz
three major festivals during Festival held every year
the summer season – in Maó, during May and June
Ciutadella and Fornells. Festivals in Cala d’Or, and the
taking place between June and Mallorca Jazz Festival
September are held in concert during August in Sa
halls, theatres and churches. Pobla. In Palma, the
Among the important musical Jazz Voyeur Festival
events in Mallorca are the runs from September
classical music festivals held in to December.
Palma (Jan–Apr) and the Chopin
Festival in Valldemossa (Aug). Fiestas
Other popular events include
international festivals of music When visiting the
in Deià (May–Sep) and Pollença islands, it is worth
(Jul–Aug) during the summer. including one of the
fiestas in your itinerary.
These are held not
Popular Music only as celebrations of
Lovers of jazz and rock have patron saints, but may
no cause to complain in the also commemorate
Balearic Islands, particularly historic events (mainly Participants in a colourful fiesta

170-171_EW_Mallorca.indd 171 06/10/17 11:09 am