What they are, how they work & what’s usually open
If you live in Mallorca – or you’re planning a visit – public holidays can feel a little confusing at first. Shops might be closed in one town and open in another, buses run differently, and suddenly there’s a full village celebration you didn’t expect.
Here’s a clear guide to how public holidays work on Mallorca, what to expect on those days, and how to plan around them in 2026.
How public holidays work in Mallorca
In the Balearic Islands, public holidays fall into three main categories:
1️⃣ Balearic-wide public holidays
These apply across all of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands. Schools, public offices and many businesses are affected island-wide.
2️⃣ Local (municipal) holidays
Each town and municipality chooses two local public holidays per year, usually linked to:
- Patron saints
- Traditional fairs or historic events
This means a normal working day in one town can be a full fiesta in the next.
3️⃣ Religious & traditional days
Many holidays are tied to religious tradition, but even if you’re not religious, they’re often the most culturally rich days— with festivals, markets, concerts and street celebrations.
Balearic-wide public holidays in 2026
These are the official public holidays across Mallorca in 2026:
- 1 January – New Year’s Day
- 6 January – Epiphany (Three Kings)
- 2 March – Day after Dia de les Illes Balears
- 2 April – Maundy Thursday
- 3 April – Good Friday
- 6 April – Easter Monday
- 1 May – Labour Day
- 15 August – Assumption of the Virgin
- 12 October – Spain’s National Day
- 8 December – Immaculate Conception
- 25 December – Christmas Day
- 26 December – Second Christmas Day
On these days, expect reduced opening hours and limited services, especially outside major tourist areas.
Local public holidays: why they matter so much
Every municipality in Mallorca – from Palma to the smallest village – selects two local holidays each year.
Some of the most widely felt local holidays include:
- Sant Antoni (17 January) – celebrated intensely in many towns
- Sant Sebastià (20 January) – Palma’s patron saint
- Sant Joan (24 June) – midsummer celebrations
- Local fair days like Dijous Bo, Sa Fira or Es Firó
Find out more here (in Spanish/Catalan).
On these days:
- Town halls and schools close
- Local shops may shut
- Streets fill with music, fire, markets or processions
If you want to experience real local life, these are some of the best days to do it.
What’s usually open (and what isn’t)
🏛 Public services
- Town halls, government offices and schools: closed
- Health centres: emergency services only
🛒 Shops & supermarkets
- Small local shops: often closed, especially in villages
- Supermarkets: varies — some open mornings only
- Shopping centres: usually open, except on major holidays
☕ Cafés, bars & restaurants
- Often open, especially in Palma and tourist areas
- On local holidays, many places open later and stay open longer
🚌 Transport
- Buses and trains run on holiday or reduced schedules
- Always check in advance, especially for village connections
When holidays feel most different
Some holidays noticeably change the rhythm of the island:
- Sant Antoni & Sant Sebastià (January) – fire, music and village-wide celebrations
- Easter week – processions, closures and heavy local travel
- Sant Joan (June) – night-time celebrations and beach gatherings
- August patron saint days – festivals nearly every weekend
On these days, Mallorca slows down – but culturally, it comes alive.
Planning tip: check local calendars
Because local holidays vary by town, it’s always worth checking:
- The municipal holiday calendar
- Local event listings (via our website)
- Public transport schedules
This helps avoid surprises – and often leads you straight into a festa you didn’t know was happening.
Public holidays in Mallorca aren’t just days off – they’re part of how the island expresses its identity. Knowing when and where they happen helps you plan better, but also lets you experience Mallorca at its most local.
📅 You’ll find all public holidays, local fiestas and cultural events listed and updated on The Calendar Mallorca.
