Holy Week in Mallorca with your family

Are you going to spend Easter Week in Mallorca with your family? The Balearic island has its own cultural codes for celebrating this holiday, which falls between late March and early April. Take advantage of these vacation days with children in Mallorca to welcome spring by the Mediterranean Sea while discovering the island’s traditions, which aren’t only festive during Easter but at many other times of the year. Indeed, the celebration is part of its heritage—a festive heritage that also permeates the everyday life of Mallorcans and goes beyond specific dates. A seaside accommodation like Blau Punta Reina, where everything is designed for the comfort and well-being of families with children, will become your best ally for enjoying the island during Easter and at other times, such as summer holidays. The resort, which features four clubs for all ages, adapted rooms, and even its own water park, is located between Cala Mandia and Cala Estany d’en Mas, in a privileged setting with a family-friendly atmosphere and Mediterranean soul. Starting with the hotel, there are many reasons to visit Mallorca during Easter (and all year round). The following customs and traditions are among them.

5 Customs and Traditions in Mallorca with Children

1. Easter Week in Mallorca

Among the most important Easter processions in Mallorca are Palm Sunday, the Crist de la Sang or Christ of the Blood on Holy Thursday, the processions of the Virgin of Sorrows and the Holy Burial (along with a reenactment of the Passion of Christ on the steps of Palma Cathedral) on Good Friday, and the Holy Encounter, held on Easter Sunday. During your family holiday in Mallorca, you can attend these religious events, as well as explore other ways of celebrating that children will love, such as typical cuisine and the Fira del Ram fair. During Easter, it is customary to eat panades or Mallorcan pies, a treat from traditional forns de pa made with sobrassada and peas; vegetable cocas as part of a meat-free end-of-Lent menu; robiols, crescent-shaped pastries filled with cream, angel hair jam, or jam; crespells, homemade cookies containing ingredients like Sóller oranges and pork lard; and chocolate monas, the most typical Easter sweet in Mallorca and also a favorite among children. Additionally, during these holidays and part of spring, the Fira del Ram is set up on the outskirts of Palma, a fair with rides that is a must-visit during a family trip to the island. Specifically, it is located in the Son Fusteret fairgrounds near the city center. There are also food and drink stalls, handicrafts, and game booths. Don’t miss the Easter Market in Artà and the Easter events at Bellver Castle, which offer the best views of the capital.

2. Berenar and Torradas: Food Traditions Born from Sharing

Mallorca also has long-standing culinary traditions, perfect for tasting the best of its local cuisine at any time of year. The berenar is a hearty mid-morning meal (or snack), originating from a centuries-old Balearic tradition when farmers would take a break from work in the fields to regain energy. Today, it is linked to appetizers and local markets. Ensaimadas, pa amb oli, and llonguets are some of the favorite bites for those enjoying a berenar. Torradas are barbecues held on holidays with family and friends. This tradition is so ingrained in Mallorca that there are even picnic areas or designated outdoor grilling spots across the island’s countryside, such as Esporles, Son Tries, or Puig de Sant Salvador. These areas offer amenities like grills, waste disposal, restrooms, parking, and tables with benches.

3. Nit de Sant Joan in Mallorca

Mallorca enchants all year round, including during summer, its high season. Nit de Sant Joan or Saint John’s Night fills the beaches with bonfires, outdoor music, and a lively atmosphere on the shortest night of the year, coinciding with the start of the summer solstice. The fire renews energy and marks the seasonal change. Adults and children alike will enjoy this spectacle of fun and bonfires in the capital and other coastal areas, where Mallorcans gather to burn the old and welcome the new. That same afternoon, Parc de la Mar hosts various children’s activities and traditional dance performances. Later, in the correfoc parade (literally, fire-run), some “demons” beat drums and chase the crowd… Meanwhile, Playa de Palma hosts a music festival that lasts well into the night.

4. Beneïdes or Blessing of Pets in Mallorca

As part of Sant Antoni celebrations in Mallorca in mid-January, the Balearic island practices a charming (and adorable) tradition: the beneïdes or blessing of pets. Dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, rodents, and horses pass through the Chapel of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals, alongside their human families to be blessed by the clergy. Sometimes even beloved stuffed animals get blessed! Holy water is said to bring them health and happiness. Witnessing this parade of unconditional love and interspecies friendship is one of those activities for a family holiday in Mallorca that children will never forget.

5. Fiestas de Sant Sebastià in Mallorca: Dragons, Giants, and More

Also in January, just after Saint Anthony, Mallorca celebrates the Fiestas de Sant Sebastià, dedicated to Palma’s patron saint. The festivities are held around January 20, making it a perfect time for a winter family holiday on the island—or even a one-day local getaway if you live nearby or have a free weekend. Palma de Mallorca’s patron saint festivities include fireworks and bonfires, parades, free outdoor concerts, guided tours, workshops, and walking or biking routes for all ages. The Drac de na Coca event kicks off the celebration in the city center, with a large bonfire and a parade featuring dragons, giants, big-headed figures, xeremiers (musicians playing the traditional Mallorcan bagpipe-like instrument), and glosadors (Mallorcan troubadours). Visit our blog to start planning your Easter trip with children in Mallorca. The island is waiting!