Sant Antoni: Witches' Night draws thousands to Sa Pobla's Plaça Major

Sant Antoni in Sa Pobla: When sparks, music and conversations warm the night

On Saturday evening the Plaça Major of Sa Pobla turned into a dense floor of people, voices and light. The Nit Bruixa, the nocturnal tradition around Sant Antoni, delivered a pyrotechnic spectacle together with a music program that kept the crowd moving. After the event ended, the streets remained filled for a long time with the clatter of cups on café terraces and the coughs from the cold.

The organizers speak of around 12,000 visitors who took part in the show. Notable was not only the number but the mix: families with children, teenagers in warm jackets, older couples, tourists who happened to be nearby. Around midnight the air was clear, a light wind from the Serra de Tramuntana blew through the alleys, and the smell of roasted almonds mixed with petrol and fireworks smoke.

The opening of the performance was unusually modern: the opening sequence used Rosalía's track “Berghain” as a musical intro, linking traditional images with a contemporary soundscape. Lights, sparks and projections flew on the stage and between the historic facades, described by many as a successful visual mix.

Prominent guests and neighboring festivities

Among those present were Balearic president Marga Prohens and island council president Llorenç Galmés. Their appearance was, for many visitors, a visible sign that the celebrations were being noticed across the island. In parallel to Sa Pobla, Sant Antoni festivities took place in Pollença, Muro and Manacor; in Manacor as well as in Sa Pobla the holiday continued into Sunday. In Palma concerts filled the stages at Plaza España, with Crystal Fighters as the top musical act there.

The mood in Sa Pobla was more relaxed than flashy. Vendors packed up their stalls later, teenagers laughed on Carrer Major, and older residents still sat on the church steps swapping memories of past celebrations. It felt as if the community had consciously used the evening as a meeting point, not just as a spectacle.

Why such evenings matter for Mallorca

These traditional festival days are useful for the island on several levels. They strengthen local ties; they give culture enthusiasm; and they attract visitors who want to experience something authentic instead of synthetic entertainment. Merchants, bars and small restaurants notice the movement: a well-attended evening means extra revenue for local businesses. Small towns like Sa Pobla particularly benefit from people returning to the market square.

Moreover, modern elements like film projections or more current musical pieces build a bridge from traditions to the younger generation. When young people sway along at a Nit Bruixa, the tradition stays alive and adapts to the present.

A look ahead

The Nit Bruixa showed that traditions in Mallorca remain alive when they leave room for something new. Anyone walking through Sa Pobla in the coming days may notice the tidied streets, the absence of loudspeaker boxes and the small neighborhood enjoying a normal Sunday afternoon again. For the organizers this means: hold on to what works and at the same time open spaces for new program items so that future generations follow.

And for all of us there is a simple observation: a festival that brings people together is less only spectacle than opportunity. Opportunity to see old neighbors again, to explain one’s culture to a child, or to show a stranger a good Mallorcan night. That is exactly what succeeded in Sa Pobla on this Sant Antoni weekend.

Further tip: If you like traditional festivals, watch for local program announcements; many municipalities publish their dates early in the year, and you can read about similar events such as Sa Pobla Celebrates Spice: Fira Coenta Combines Chili, Market and Family Fun or Night of Souls in Palma: Tradition Between Firelight and Weather Stress. A spontaneous visit is often worth it — for the atmosphere, the melodies and the roasted almonds.