New Year’s Eve / Nochevieja in Mallorca
Our guide to New Year's Eve, the Mallorcan way.
Mallorca welcomes New Year’s Eve with a distinctly Mediterranean spirit — a blend of tradition, island warmth and seaside sparkle. While winter on the island is mild and peaceful, the final night of the year brings every square and street to life, where locals and visitors gather to see in the New Year together.
The Midnight Moment: Grapes and Bells in Palma
As midnight approaches, people all over Spain prepare for the famous ritual of twelve grapes, eaten one by one with each chime of the clock to bring luck for the twelve months ahead. In Palma, crowds fill Plaça de Cort, facing the town hall clock, to count down the final seconds together. Families, friends and tourists join the lively scene, clutching their grapes and cava as the bells strike twelve and the cheers begin.
In recent years, Palma has added live music, DJs and big screens in nearby Plaça de la Reina, allowing more people to take part in the countdown. The atmosphere is festive yet relaxed — generations celebrating side by side beneath the lights of the Old Town.
Fireworks over the Bay
When the clock strikes midnight, the sky above Palma Bay erupts in colour. Fireworks reflect off the water beside the cathedral, creating one of Mallorca’s most memorable sights. Along the Passeig Marítim, people gather to watch, toast and embrace as the New Year begins.
Celebrations Beyond Palma
Every town and village across Mallorca marks Nochevieja in its own way. Town squares in Sóller, Inca, Alcúdia and Calvià host outdoor parties with live bands, DJs and plenty of cava. Many hotels and restaurants offer New Year’s Eve dinners and dance evenings — from elegant multi-course feasts to relaxed gatherings by the sea.
If you prefer something quieter, smaller coastal towns provide a gentler celebration, often with fireworks over the sea and bonfires on the beach.
Running into the New Year
On the afternoon of 31 December, Mallorca joins the Spanish San Silvestre tradition — fun runs that combine sport with fancy dress and a carnival atmosphere. Costumed runners take part in events such as the Sant Silvestre Calvianera near Magaluf or the San Silvestre de Palma in the Bellver Forest. It’s a cheerful way to earn that extra glass of cava later in the evening.
Food and Traditions
New Year’s Eve dinners in Mallorca are long, lively affairs, filled with seafood, roast meats and sweet treats. Many families serve Sopa de Nadal, a comforting Christmas broth, or porcella rostida, roast suckling pig. The meal ends with turrón and sparkling cava, followed by music and dancing before heading out for the midnight grapes.
Getting Around Safely
Public transport in Palma usually operates late on New Year’s Eve, with additional night buses linking major areas and the seafront. It’s the easiest and safest way to get around, especially if you plan to celebrate with a drink or two and stay out into the early hours.
New Year’s Day: A Fresh Start by the Sea
On 1 January, locals and visitors take part in the primer bany de l’any, the “first swim of the year”. Beaches throughout the island fill with laughter, towels and thermos flasks of coffee as people take a bracing dip in the cool winter sea —expect sea temps around 14–16 °C - It’s brisk, funny, and symbolic way to start the year anew.
Tips for Visitors
Dress warmly: Evenings can be cool, with temperatures around 10–12°C.
Bring your grapes: They’re essential for the midnight countdown.
Book in advance: Restaurants and hotel galas sell out quickly.
Arrive early at Cort: The square fills up well before midnight.
In summary: New Year’s Eve in Mallorca combines deep-rooted tradition with seaside celebration and a welcoming island spirit. Whether you’re joining a San Silvestre run in the sun, raising a glass in Palma’s old town, or diving into the sea on New Year’s Day, the island offers a celebration that feels uniquely its own.