Festes Verge del Carme 2025 | Virgin Carmen Festival 2025
16 July 2025
By Claire Miller
Each summer, on July 16th, the island of Mallorca celebrates one of its most vibrant and heartfelt festivals: Festes Verge del Carme, or the Virgin Carmen Festival. This island-wide event is held in honour of the Virgin of Carmen, the revered patron saint of sailors. Rooted in both Catholic devotion and seafaring tradition, the festival is a powerful display of community, colour, and culture across Mallorca’s coastal towns.
The festival’s origins trace back to the 18th century when Admiral Antoni Barceló Pont de la Terra, a Mallorcan naval officer and national hero, helped popularise the celebration among the island’s fishing communities. Devotion to the Virgin del Carmen had already been strong among Spanish sailors for centuries, as she was believed to offer protection to those who ventured out to sea.
While each town adds its own flair, the core elements of the Virgin Carmen Festival remain consistent and deeply symbolic. These include:
Religious Processions:
The day typically begins with a mass, followed by a solemn procession in which a beautifully decorated statue of the Virgin is carried from the local church to the harbour. This is often accompanied by local choirs, brass bands, and flower bearers.
Maritime Flotillas:
Once at the port, the statue is placed aboard a central boat and paraded out to sea, accompanied by a flotilla of fishing boats and leisure vessels decked in flowers, banners, and lights. The boats may circle the harbour or venture a short way out to sea, where floral offerings are cast into the water in memory of those lost at sea.
Evening Festivities:
As night falls, the atmosphere shifts to full celebration. Fireworks illuminate the sky above the harbours, music fills the air, and local residents and visitors gather for live concerts, traditional dance, and street food. In many towns, one of the highlights is the correfoc—a dramatic nighttime fire-run featuring costumed “devils” dancing with fireworks through the streets.
Where to Celebrate in 2025
In 2025, celebrations will be held in numerous coastal towns, each offering unique programs that reflect their local culture and maritime heritage. Towns known for particularly elaborate festivities include:
Port de Pollença – Home to a large boat procession and solemn sea blessing, followed by concerts and fireworks along the waterfront.
Port Andratx – Celebrations often span several days here, with live music, parades, and evening fireworks adding to the harbour’s charm.
Cala Rajada and Porto Cristo – Known for their vibrant street parties and traditional dance performances.
Cala Figuera, Cala Bona, and Portocolom – Smaller in scale but rich in authenticity, offering a more intimate festival experience.
What Visitors Can Expect
For those visiting Mallorca in mid-July, the Virgin Carmen Festival is an unmissable experience. Expect streets filled with music, families dressed in traditional attire, boats adorned with flowers, and an unmistakable spirit of celebration.
Key Tips for Attendees:
Arrive early to secure a good spot for viewing the land procession and boat departure.
Head to the harbours or beaches for the best views of the maritime procession.
Stay late to enjoy the fireworks, live music, and festive atmosphere.
Wear comfortable clothes and prepare for hot weather – sunscreen and water are essential.
The Festes Verge del Carme is more than just a summer festival—it is a heartfelt tribute to Mallorca’s seafaring heritage and a shared expression of gratitude, remembrance, and joy. Whether you witness it from a waterfront café, a crowded street, or aboard a boat in the procession, the festival offers a truly immersive way to experience the island’s traditions.
In 2025, join Mallorcans across the island in celebrating the Virgin of Carmen with reverence, rhythm, and revelry.