New Years Eve in Mallorca marks the beginning, not the end, of the Yuletide party season!
As for the partying, first there is New Years Eve in Mallorca, with fireworks festivals and the traditional eating of 12 grapes (one for each stroke of the clock) to ensure good fortune and prosperity in the New Year, washed down with a glass of Cava!
The main celebrations take place in Palma, with free concerts in the main squares, culminating with a fireworks display over the Cathedral at midnight. Spectacular.
Then a short rest before one of the biggest events of the year, the annual festival of ‘Los Tres Reyes’ or ‘The Three Kings’ on 5th January.
The Spanish traditionally save their present giving until the 12th day of Christmas, the Epiphany, when the ‘Three Wise Men’ from the East brought gifts for the new born Christ. At dusk on 5th January this event is re-enacted with glitz, glamour and spectacle all over the island as everyone attends the parades.
Their magesties, The Three Kings, Melchor, Gazpar and Baltasar can arrive by boat, on horseback, camel and in Sóller on board the 100 year old tram!
The royal pages, musicians and dancers dispense sweets to the waiting crowds and that same night children are traditionally supposed to leave their shoes outside their bedroom door to receive their gifts.
The biggest and best ‘Three Kings’ procession takes place in Palma. The Kings begin their epic journey by boat, arriving at the jetty opposite the La Lonja in the old town where they start their 3 km procession around the streets of Palma.
With spectacular costumes, music, drummers and hundreds of people marching and riding on the floats, the procession wends its way through the city on a two hour journey ending at the town hall in Plaza Cort. The ‘Three Kings’ make their way onto the balcony of the town hall to wave to the waiting crowds.
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