Events
September Events and Local Festivals
September in Mallorca promises fun-filled events absolutely brimming with local culture and traditions. In Vilafranca de Bonany, the month kicks off with the Melon Fair / Firo del Meló. A lively fair that celebrates the town’s agricultural roots with fantastic melon-themed activities such as largest melon contests, children’s workshops, a night fair featuring local crafts and products and even the Melorock music concert.
On September 9th, Santa Ponça hosts the Festes del Rei en Jaume, a grand festival commemorating King James I's historic landing in 1229. This event features dramatic battle reenactments, medieval parades, and the captivating "Nit del Foc," creating a thrilling historical experience. Mid-September brings the Festa des Vermar in Binissalem, a Wine Harvest Festival that honours the end of the grape harvest. Over three weeks, visitors can enjoy grape-stomping competitions, art exhibitions, and wine tastings, all while immersing themselves in the region’s winemaking traditions. These festivals offer a unique glimpse into Mallorca's cultural life, don'tf forget to catch on if you can.
Every year, on the first weekend of September, Vilafranca de Bonany comes alive with the Melon Fiesta and Fair. This celebration kicks off on August 31st and runs through to mid-September, with the main events taking place on Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September.
The festivities highlight Vilafranca’s agricultural heritage with a program packed with activities that blend tradition and innovation, all centred around the melon. Key events include the Melon Gym, Children’s Melon Workshops, and the Melofoc fireworks display, all set against the backdrop of the Night Fair featuring artisanal and local products.
On Sunday, the Melon Fair takes centre stage with the popular Large Melon Contest and the Quality Melon Competition. Visitors can also explore displays of machinery, handicrafts, local food products, and animals. The fair is complemented by cultural activities such as musical performances, theatre shows, and sports events. The fair also features exhibitions of homemade pots, photos of Mallorcan melon varieties, and melon tastings, emphasising the region’s socio-economic and cultural ties to melon farming.
The program extends throughout September with events like the Melorock concert, theatre performances, traditional Mallorcan clothing exhibitions, and workshops.
1st September 2024
Firo del meló | Melon Fair | Vilafranca de Bonany
Every year on September 9th, Santa Ponça in Mallorca comes alive with the King James Festival, celebrating the historic landing of King Jaume I and his troops in 1229. This festival features dramatic reenactments of the battles fought between the Christian forces and the Saracen troops.
The festivities kick off with a proclamation at the cross of Santa Ponça, followed by a floral tribute by local authorities. The event is marked by the presentation of banners to the leaders of the various participating groups, each banner representing historical murals found in books and museums. One of the festival’s highlights is the “Nit del Foc” (Night of Fire), where medieval streets are lit by torches and fireworks. As the festivities unfold, a Saracen camp is set up on the beach, featuring traditional tents and a lively parade, enhancing the historical ambiance.
The centerpiece of the festival is the series of battle reenactments. The first battle takes place at the Creu de Santa Ponça, where Jaume I’s troops symbolically land. The second battle occurs at Caló d’en Pellicer, leading to the final and most significant clash on the beach of Santa Ponça, where the defeat of the Saracen king Abū Yahyà is reenacted, symbolising the Christian victory. Alongside the reenactments, the festival includes cultural events, sports, traditional music, dances, and communal dinners, creating a family-friendly environment and a strong sense of community.
9th September 2024
Festes del Rei en Jaume | King James Festival | Santa Ponça | Santa Ponsa
Every September, Binissalem, Mallorca, celebrates the Festa des Vermar, a vibrant Wine Harvest Festival that honours the end of the grape harvest and the region’s winemaking heritage. For nearly three weeks, the town hosts a varied program of activities, including boot-racing, cultural tours, art exhibitions, traditional dances, and the highly anticipated grape-throwing battle! The festival’s second weekend features the reading of the proclamation, communal meals, and a grape-stomping competition.
The third weekend culminates in a grand parade of floats and the Fira del Vi, offering wine tastings and showcasing local creativity. The festival highlights the community’s deep-rooted winemaking traditions, such as foot-stomping grapes and blessing ceremonies for vineyards. Visitors can explore wine routes, get to know local bodegas, and enjoy local wines and delicacies, all while experiencing the cultural richness of Binissalem.
The Festa des Vermar is a celebration of life, tradition, and the bountiful harvest, reflecting the close-knit community and their connection to the land and winemaking. It offers a unique cultural experience for both visitors and wine enthusiasts.
Mid September 2024
Festa des Vermar | Wine Heritage Festival | Binissalem
