Fornalutx celebrates: chestnut scent, folk dance and a touch of ABBA

Plaza, chestnuts and a village that’s delighted

When the shadows of the Serra de Tramuntana UNESCO World Heritage site grow longer and the evening breeze brings a cool touch, it’s village time again on Mallorca. Fornalutx, with its steep alleys, crooked cobbles and small cafés on the plaza, opens its doors on the weekend for the annual village festival Fornalutx celebrates: chestnut scent, folk dance and a touch of ABBA. It smells of roasted vegetables, churros, coffee cups clinking in the evening sun. And above all: of neighborhood.

Less racket, more family laughter

The old rituals still have their place here, but some changes are clearly for the better: the bull run is history; now you hear the laughter of playing children instead of excited whistles. At the stalls, locals sell empanadas, grilled vegetable skewers and simple tapas — rustic, honest, not over-the-top. Prices are reasonable, portions generous enough for a small snack. On the plaza grandparents sit with blankets, teenagers lean on the fountain edges, and dogs snap at falling crumbs.

For the children: water, bouncing, color

Saturday is family day: a small water park with paddling pools, water games and bouncy castles runs from morning into the early evening. It’s exactly what parents need to ensure calm nights before the evening verbena — or to line up briefly at the churros stand themselves. There is also a painting and crafts area that miraculously provides long stretches of concentrated silence. The children’s laughter mixes with the distant beat of the drum and creates that relaxed festival sound that only villages do so well.

Tradition meets sparkle: folk dance and ABBA

On Sunday evening the traditional folk dances begin, drums and castanets set the rhythm. And if you think it will just wind down quietly after that, you’re wrong: around 10:00 p.m. an ABBA tribute band takes the plaza. Sparkle, good vibes and gentle swaying included. This mix of local dances and pop classics makes the festival special — a short, friendly cultural clash between generations that shows: tradition can dance very well next to a disco ball.

Practical tips for visitors

Getting there: Parking at the village entrance is scarce. Paths through the almond groves and short bus connections from neighboring villages are the better choice if you want to avoid stress — see also Fig Fragrance and Hoofbeats: A Village Evening in Lloret de Vistalegre and Ses Salines. Evening clothes: The narrow stone alleys cool down quickly — a light jacket is advisable. Money: Cash is still often used; a few euros in your pocket make spontaneous purchases easier.

This festival is not a big spectacle but a normal village Sunday with open doors: neighbors drawing closer, children running through the alleys, tourists finally experiencing something real. You hear the clicking of chestnut leaves, a vendor’s call, the murmur of conversations that, despite the strangeness, immediately feel familiar. And then the music comes — a moment when the plaza becomes a little brighter.

For Mallorca, such festivals are more than pleasant entertainment: they preserve customs, bring people together and provide jobs for small businesses; similar celebrations elsewhere include Lloseta celebrates: Giants, bagpipes and an evening for the village. So if you feel like it on short notice: put on sturdy shoes, bring an appetite and just go to the plaza. A beer in hand, a beat in your foot — that’s how a village gets lively, and Fornalutx shows itself at its warmest.