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 Festivals |
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Listed below are dates that are acknowledged as National Public Holidays of Spain, and are regularly observed in Menorca:
1st of January New Year's Day (Año Nuevo)
5th of January Epiphany Day (Epifanía)
19th of March St. Joseph’s Day (Dia de San José)
Late March or early April Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo)
Late March or early April Good Friday (Viernes Santo)
1st of May Labor Day (Fiesta del Trabajo)
15th of August Feast of the Assumption (Fiesta de La Asunción)
12th of October National Day of Spain (Nacional de España)
1st of November All Saints' Day (Todos los Santos)
6th of December Constitution Day (Dia de la Constitución)
8th of December Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepción)
25th of December Christmas Day (Navidad)
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Throughout the year, Menorca also has events that are uniquely their own. In fact, the already hectic social calendar of Menorca, up to now, is constantly being added with newer festivities. Below is a detailed list of the local Menorca celebrations.
Menorca Events in January
· Revelta i Beneides de Sant Antoni Abat - Celebrated on January 16 and 17, this fiesta in Mallorca includes bonfires, parades, dancing, feasting and many people dressed up in colorful costumes.
· Processo dels Tres Tocs - Held on the 17th of January in Ciutadella, Menorca, this procession celebrates the victory of Alfonso III over the Muslims in 1287.
Menorca Events in February
· Carnival Parades - Observed on the months of February and March, many fancy dress balls mark the end of the Carnival before Lent. Palma hosts the most spectacular fiesta, known as the Cavalcade (Sa Rua).
Menorca Events in March
· Semana Santa (Holy Week) - Held on Maundy Thursday in Palma, Mallorca, a procession leaves the church of La Sang, carrying a crucifix. On Good Friday, many other processions are held in towns, including Palma and Sinue in Mallorca and Mahon in Menorca
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Menorca Events in April
· Festa Sant Francesc - Held on April 2nd, a popular feast of St. Francis is celebrated throughout the islands
· Festa Sant Jordi - Held on April 23rd, this feast day of the patron saint of many towns and villages is celebrated on all the islands.
Menorca Events in May
· Festa de Maig - Observed on the first Sunday of May in Santa Eulalia, Ibiza, this spring flower festival is one of the most colorful fiestas in the entire Balearic islands.
Menorca Events in June
· Sant Joan - Observed on the 24th of June in Ciutadella, Menorca, horses are a major part of the event, which is King Juan Carlos's name day.
Menorca Events in July
· Dia de Virgen de Carmen - Held on July 15th to 16th, and observed all over the Balearic islands, the feast of the patron saint of sailors includes parades and the blessing of fishing boats.
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Menorca Events in August
· Festa de Sant Lorenc - Held on the second week of August, in Alaior, Menorca, with riding displays in the streets.
· Assumption of the Virgin - August 15th is the celebration of this major festival throughout Spain.
Menorca Events in September
· Diada de Catalunya - On September 11th, this national holiday is observed throughout the islands.
Menorca Events in October
· Dia de la Hispanidad - October 12th is a national Spanish holiday, held to commemorate the discovery of the New World by Christopher Colombus in 1492.
Menorca Events in November
· Birthday of Junipero Serra - On November 24th, the birthday of this Franciscan monk is celebrated throughout the region.
Menorca Events in December
· Noche Buena - On December 24th, Christmas Eve celebrations, including nativity plays and midnight mass, are held throughout the islands.
· Santos Inocentes - Held on December 28th, this is a Spanish equivalent of April Fool's day.
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Each Menorca town has its own Patron Saint that they pay homage to every year. Each town’s fiesta takes place on or near the day of its Patron Saint. The first fiesta of the year and probably the biggest is held in Ciutadella to celebrate Sant Joan - Saint John. On the average, every fiesta lasts for three days and the townsfolk normally consider this as a holiday with only the bars and restaurants remaining open. To the locals of Menorca, the word ‘fiesta’ automatically brings up images of stunningly groomed horses, as these animals play a chief part in the scheduled major events of the town. The “Pomada” or the local fiesta drink (a concoction of gin and lemon) surely will not be absent in the joyous dining tables of the townsfolk throughout the celebration.
Mahón September 7th / 8th / 9th
Ciutadella June 23rd / 24th
Es Castell July 24th / 25th / 26th
Alaior First Fortnight of August
San Luis End of August
Ferreries August 23rd / 24th
Mercadal 3rd Saturday and Sunday of July
Migjorn Gran Last weekend of July & first weekend of August
Fornells 4th Saturday & Sunday of July
Sant Climent 3rd Weekend of August
Cala’n Porter September 17th / 18th / 19th
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