Inselradio Christmas Market: Five Days of Christmas Scents in Front of the Studios

Inselradio Christmas Market starts today: Five days of crafts, music and mulled wine

It smells of cinnamon and roasted almonds, a mix of old Christmas carols and current hits plays from the speakers — and in the middle of it all stand the colorful wooden stalls: the Inselradio Christmas Market begins today and remains open in front of the broadcast studios until Monday. If you pass by on your way to work on the Calle or come over from the old town in the afternoon, you can't miss it: fairy lights, garlands and people holding cups of warm mulled wine.

The concept is deliberately small: market stalls from local vendors, handcrafted decorations, ceramics and regional treats. Each day features a programme with music and dance, families are welcome, and those who wish can make their own Christmas decoration at the craft table. For some visitors it's a short break from everyday life — for others it's a fixed appointment in the Advent season.

There is a touch of celebrity too: on Friday Uwe Ochsenknecht will read a story live — an event that is often well attended. The Inselradio team will also be there, moving between the stalls with cups and good cheer. Anyone who wants to chat with the presenters will find an opportunity here away from the microphone.

Why is this good for Mallorca? Small markets like this enliven the neighbourhood, give artisans a stage and bring neighbours together. At a time when many events are big and distant, the gathering in front of the studio feels like a personal invitation: here you buy from a person with a story, not from an anonymous online shop. That strengthens local cycles and makes Advent truly feel like community.

A little everyday scene: in the early evening parents stroll by with children, the warm light from a stall's Sandman lamp cone falls on the cobbles, a vendor hands over a small bag of almonds, and somewhere a group of dancers begins a short performance. A dog shakes itself, the wind carries trumpet notes and encore calls down the street — typical island evenings in December, slightly chilly with clear air.

Practical tips: the market is set up directly in front of the studios and runs for five days until and including Monday. Opening times and the exact daily programme are on the Inselradio website. It's best to come on foot or by public bus — parking is scarce in the area. If you want to save energy and avoid waste, bring a reusable cup or mug; many vendors appreciate that.

For visitors looking for something special: look out for handmade decorations made from local materials or small gift ideas that not everyone has. Many stalls offer personalised items; these are the kind of presents that are remembered. There are craft activities for children, and on Friday Uwe Ochsenknecht's reading adds an extra portion of anticipation.

The Inselradio Christmas Market is not a huge spectacle but rather a cosy island corner in the pre-Christmas season. That's precisely its charm: the quiet hum of the city, the giggles at the craft table and the scent of spices that invites everyone to pause for a moment. So if you fancy a little break, plan for a cup of mulled wine, discover a few gifts and say hello to the team on site — this is what Mallorca feels like in Advent.

Looking ahead: When the market closes on Monday, the memory will remain of five days in which neighbourhood and tradition came together. For local vendors it's a chance to stay in conversation; for visitors an invitation to make time more often for the small things. Maybe we'll see each other with a cup in hand in front of the studios.