PetraFest 2025: Wine, Dance and Fireworks over the Plaza

Petra comes together: a village evening to remember

When the lanterns on the Plaza del Centre d'Art light up on Saturday, Petra changes noticeably. The scent of grilled cheese and freshly fried churros mixes with the soft accordion from the Calle Major, and the neighbours' voices weave through music wagons and market calls. No big stage, no harsh spotlights — instead closeness, conversations and the familiar clack of espardenyes (espadrilles) on the cobblestones.

A programme that comes from the heart

The official programme begins in the late afternoon. On the main stage local groups perform traditional dances: women in embroidered aprons, men in simple shirts, all sure-footed. It’s less a show than an invitation: to watch, smile and maybe join in dancing. At the same time a small, carefully organised wine tasting attracts visitors on the plaza. Winemakers from the area present their drops; two to three samples usually cost less than ten euros — enough to discover flavours and meet people.

Between the stalls street performers play, at the handicraft market neighbours sell leather goods, ceramics and homemade jams, and along the Carrer d'en Xisca local finger food follows more finger food: small portions, big flavour. Children go round on the carousel, parents sit on low stone walls and exchange news over a café.

Key times at a glance

5:00 PM – Opening with folkloric dances on the main stage.
7:30 PM – Wine tasting on the Plaza del Centre d'Art (a few euros per sample).
Live music and handicrafts accompany the evening. There’s a carousel and street performers for children.
11:00 PM – Finale: a fireworks display over the plaza ends the night.

Among traders, aromas and conversations

A stroll through the market is worth it. Joan, the leatherworker from a narrow side street, lays out belts and bags; Maria displays her hand-thrown ceramics on low tables; and the jam seller always has a jar open for tasting. You touch things, you sniff: cinnamon in an orange jam, the rough surface of a plate, the soft clack of a dancer’s wooden shoes. Such details make PetraFest an evening full of sensory impressions.

Local tips: how to keep the evening relaxed

Come early — the narrow streets fill up quickly and parking is scarce. Many walk from the edge of town; that saves time and nerves. Bring a light jacket: it cools down after sunset. Cash is often more practical at the wine stalls; card payments may take some patience. And don’t forget your camera: the fireworks reflect beautifully on the white façades.

Why Petra celebrates differently

Compared to bigger festivals in Mallorca, Petra focuses on familiarity. There are no oversized stages or the crush of large city events — instead neighbours meet, children run across the plaza, and handmade things you can touch. It feels down-to-earth, but by no means backward-looking: young dancers mix old melodies with modern sounds, winemakers bring new grape varieties, and tradition remains alive and contemporary at the same time.

Looking ahead: small festivals, big impact

Evenings like this nourish the sense of community: they keep traders, winemakers and artists in the village, create spaces for encounters and ensure Petra is not just a place to pass through. For visitors that means less spectacle, more authenticity. For the island it shows tourism can be quiet, local and sustainable — a glass of wine, a dance, fireworks over white walls and the moment when the village breathes and comes together.

See you later on the plaza — perhaps we’ll raise a glass, hear the accordion, hear children laugh and look up when the sky briefly lights up and everyday hurry stays outside.