Fire runs this weekend: Correfocs in Palma, Santanyí and Felanitx

Fire runs this weekend: Correfocs in Palma, Santanyí and Felanitx

When evenings get shorter and the streets fill up, you can smell not only the sea on Mallorca but in some corners also smoke and roasted almonds. This weekend several towns on the island will hold traditional fire runs that drive away the winter grey with sparks and drums.

Where and when? In Palma the Correfoc starts on Sunday at 19:00, simultaneously from Plaza de la Reina and the Avenida Jaime III area. Felanitx takes place already on Saturday at 19:00; Summer festival Felanitx correfoc and foam party 2025 notes the fire run is followed by a large bonfire. And in the municipality of Santanyí (the Calonge district) there will be another run tomorrow evening at 21:00; Autumn Festivals in Mallorca: Markets, Sea and a Touch of Fire highlights similar village fêtes.

Events like these are part of the local festival culture around San Sebastián and Sant Antoni, weeks when the villages and the city feel especially alive at home. On the plaça, beside churches and the sound of bells, sparks, drums and fragments of conversation mix together — a little spectacle that many families have accompanied for years.

An everyday observation: Already in the early evening you meet people with thick jackets and torches, children with small bengalas (sparklers) and older neighbours who have claimed their seat on the bench outside the café. When the streetlights come on and the first sparks fly, Palma briefly feels like a small stage.

That makes it endearing: these are not big shows with sets and VIP areas, they are neighbourhoods coming together. That has real value for Mallorca: traditions connect people, local shops benefit from late sales, and visitors see the island from a different side than beaches and paella.

If you want to take part or just watch, here are a few practical tips: wear comfortable, closed shoes, avoid loose plastic jackets that can catch sparks easily, and keep photo or phone bags well closed. Pets should stay indoors that evening; the noise and sparks are stressful for many animals.

On arrival and parking: in Palma and the smaller towns the central squares are often quite full before the start. Taking the bus or arriving on foot saves time and frustration when looking for parking. If the evening feels too crowded, you can often find a quieter vantage point in a side street and still watch the fire runs.

The events are organised locally; volunteers and teams from the villages often help with setup, teardown and managing access. From experience it is sensible not to leave children unattended in the crowd and to heed any barriers or instructions from officials.

For everyone who sees this winter evening as a chance to experience island culture differently: come with respect, a bit of curiosity and a willingness to give space. A warm sip from a thermos and a shared laugh after a particularly loud bang are sometimes enough to feel the communal spirit.

Outlook

The fire runs are not a one-off in the coming days — in the season of winter festivities similar events with fire, drums and processions keep appearing. If you enjoy evenings like this, you can look forward to more such occasions on the island, such as Correfoc in Alaró and water fun in Llucmajor. And if the sparks get too close: there are plenty of cafés and terraces with a view of the action where you can enjoy the atmosphere at a safe distance.