Predator Blog · February 28, 2023

Balearic Islands Day, a celebration you shouldn’t miss! Discover the islands’ unique history and culture on 1 March in Palma

The islands are buzzing! It’s Balearic Islands Day and Mallorca celebrates the 1983 Statute of Autonomy with a programme full of activities and events. There’s something for everyone – from sports to indulgent feasting. But the best part is: 1 March is even a public holiday on the islands, so no excuses…

The islands come alive when “Día de les Illes Balears” is celebrated on 1 March. This commemorative day for the 1983 Statute of Autonomy is marked with a colourful programme of concerts, performances, markets and much more. There won’t be a dry eye—or a thirsty throat.

Whether you’re in Mallorca or on the neighbouring islands, there’s something for everyone to experience. On Balearic Islands Day, there’s dancing, sports, reading and feasting. The islands offer a varied programme for all age groups.

1 March is a public holiday on the Balearic Islands, and here the term “holiday” truly fits. So off you go—straight into the streets of Palma! We’ve put together the full programme for this year’s public holiday in 2023, so you won’t miss any highlights.

I hope our article has sparked your interest and anticipation for Balearic Islands Day. We’re really looking forward to hearing what wonderful experiences you’ve had. Enjoy the unique atmosphere that can be felt every year on 1 March on the Balearic Islands, and let yourself be swept along by the colourful hustle and bustle!

In Palma there is a book market with antique treasures and second-hand books. From 11 am to 7 pm you can browse for great reads in S’Hort des Rei.
The Balearic Market in Palma is a paradise for bargain hunters. With around 200 exhibitors from Menorca, Ibiza and Palma, you’ll find everything your heart desires. Visit the market on the Passeig Sagrera, Avenida Antoni Maura, Plaça Drassanes and in Parc de Sa Feixina.
Food, food, food! At the “Mostra de Cuina” in Palma you can look forward to live show-cooking. It all kicks off at 1.30 pm in Park Sa Feixina. Come along and treat yourself to some culinary delights! Insider tip: at Merendero Minyones you can enjoy the “Llonguet de porc mallorquí” with Maon cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and chimichurri mayonnaise.
The photography exhibition “Serra de Tramuntana” in Palma – Passeig del Born takes place from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. This exhibition presents the winning photos from the photography competition organised by the Consorci Serra de Tramuntana Patrimoni Mundial and carried out in collaboration with the Balearic Islands Association of Nature Photographers, AFONIB. The exhibition “Serra de Tramuntana – The cultural routes” shows you the 12 award-winning photos.
Theatre performances in Palma – the meeting point is Plaza de Cort, and the plays are staged from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Each performance lasts around one hour and 15 minutes and covers different themes. For example, the eleven legends or traditions of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera are portrayed. Six of these legends are staged by Joan Pizá, while the historian Gaspar Valero tells the other four.
The “Es Baluard” Museum of Contemporary Art in Palma – at Plaça de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10, in Palma, you can visit the museum with free admission from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Es Baluard is the new museum of the city of Palma for modern and contemporary art. In the Catalan language, Baluard means “bastion”, referring to the location and the historical function of the structure that originally stood on this site.
Open doors also await you at the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, with guided tours and free entry from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the various rooms of the Autonomous Parliament.. An audio guide will be available in six languages (Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German and Italian).
A martial arts exhibition at Dojo Seishin in Palma – you’ll find it in Jardins de l’Hort del Rei from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dojo Seishin is a school for Aikido and Japanese martial arts in Palma. It is a traditional-style dojo offering Aikido and Kendo classes.

This special public holiday has a deeply rooted historical significance in Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands. Since antiquity, these islands have played an important role in history and have had to overcome a number of challenges. At first they were dependent on the Phoenicians, but when the inhabitants began engaging in piracy, the Romans conquered the region in 123 BC and Romanised southern Spaniards settled in Mallorca, leading to the founding of Palma and Polentia.

The islands were conquered by the Vandals and later integrated into the Byzantine Empire, but their independence was already beginning to emerge in the Middle Ages. In the 10th century they became part of the Caliphate of Córdoba and were eventually conquered by James I of Catalonia. Mallorca was even considered an independent state at times before it was conquered by Peter IV of Aragon and united with the core lands. In 1833 the Balearic Islands were officially established, and towards the end of the 19th century a movement began that called for regional independence. Finally, in 1983 the autonomous status of the province was recognised. This eventful history makes this public holiday a significant occasion in Mallorca and the Balearic Islands.