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An ideal time to take a Mallorcan holiday is in January. That way not only do you miss the summer holiday crowds, but you can also experience some of the local cultures and traditions. One of Mallorca's most celebrated festivals is Sant Antoni Abat and it takes place each year in January, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to the island. A commemoration of Sant Antoni Abat, who was the patron saint of agriculture and animals and the guardian of crops, it is a two-day event that is guaranteed to provide entertainment and fun for visitors. Sant Antoni lived in the third or fourth century AD and helped to protect creatures that worked on the island. During the day church services are held and many people take their pets and livestock to mass to have a special blessing. The eve of the festival sees the majority of the events take place. Bonfires are lit throughout the island and villagers and tourists alike dance around them in a process that is supposed to burn the devil, an ancient ritual of purification and the triumph of good over evil. There will be parades and floats in the streets on both the eve of the festival and Sant Antoni Abat itself, with locals dressing in traditional Mallorcan costumes and thronging on the streets. When the fire dancing has subsided, folk music will be played around the bonfire and ancient tales told. You should join in and cook toast and sausages on the embers as the locals do. One meal worth eating is the traditional dish Espinagada - made from eels. There are numerous other festivals that take place in Mallorca thoughout the year. In January Sant Sebastia's Eve takes place, which is a huge draw for visitors as they play live music in the town squares, and in the summer months there are lots of events and celebrations. These include the horse festival - Saint Joan - each June, where riders travel though the towns in costume. This month also sees the festivals Sant Joan Pelos and Romeria de Sant Marcal. There is also the main July fiesta, Our Lady of the Sea, which honours the Virgen del Carmen, patroness of fishermen, with a flotilla of fishing boats. If you’re looking for a Mallorcan holiday, look no further than Mallorca Farmhouses where you can find the finest farmhouses, apartments, and hotels; and a quality villa in Mallorca.
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