Fire, Drums, Village Square: Sant Antoni Awakens on Mallorca

Fire, Drums, Village Square: Sant Antoni Awakens on Mallorca

When the winter night is full of sparks

You can feel it in the air: the nights are still cold, but in certain places on the island there's already a crackle. In Sa Pobla and Manacor people set up tables, hang lanterns and prepare for the first fire runs for Sant Antoni. Similar communal warmth can be seen in other island events such as Autumn Festivals in Mallorca: Markets, Sea and a Touch of Fire.

In Sa Pobla the main run begins around midnight on the Plaza Mayor. The crowd presses around the fountain; it smells of ash, grilled meat and the sweet dust of almond cake. Drums start to beat, and the so‑called devil figures march through the alleys as sparks fly — a jumble of light and laughter.

Son Servera joins in as well: here the celebrations start early in the evening. From around 17:00 stalls open selling T‑shirts, figurines and everything that will later end up on the grill. At about 23:00 the costumed figures then parade through the main streets, sparks flying and with a mischievous energy that is hard to resist. Similar village bazaars are detailed in Weekend on the Island: Autumn Village Festivals in Caimari, Llubí and Es Capdellà.

Pollença has its own rhythm: there is first a children's run the next evening in the Joan‑March gardens at around 20:00. The youngest take part with small torches and without real fire contact on a secured route; later, at about 22:30, the adults take over and the whole community fills the streets.

Manacor is also known as one of the places where Sant Antoni is celebrated particularly vividly. There the local brotherhoods, with their experience and care, make sure the spectacle runs safely without losing its original cheekiness. You can hear the organizers' voices calling final instructions and see volunteers checking cables and barriers.

A scene that repeats itself everywhere: an old baker selling fresh ensaimadas; young people standing against the prickly winter wind drinking hot chocolate; a couple warming themselves by a small improvised grill and sharing sobrasada on bread. These everyday moments make the festival — not the big poster or the media fuss, but the scent, the warmth of bodies and the certainty of standing together.

For visitors and locals alike: respect for fire and tradition is a must. Don't come into the running zone in open shoes, follow the organizers' instructions, and don't leave children unattended with torches. Small precautions, big fun. If you like, bring a blanket — village squares cool down quickly once the flames die out.

If you've never felt the Sant Antoni vibe before, here's a tip: pick a village, stand at the edge of the plaza, take a cup of mulled wine or a portion of grilled meat and let the rhythm of the drums carry you. It's an experience that keeps Mallorca alive during the quiet season, brings neighborhoods together and creates memories of long winter nights.

Outlook: In the coming days more villages will publish their dates. A quick look at the noticeboards in town halls or the blackboards in bars is often enough, or consult Autumn Festivals in Mallorca: Santanyí, Inca, Port d'Andratx and Felanitx Weekend Roundup. And for those who want to join: with respect, warm shoes and a dose of curiosity, Sant Antoni becomes one of the island's more charming conversations in January.