December in Mallorca: What's On & Weather

Christmas markets
Palma transforms into a magical winter wonderland in December, with stunning Christmas lights and markets popping up around the city. The ‘show village’ Pueblo Español transforms into a magical winter wonderland for a couple of weeks at the beginning of December and is one of the biggest Christmas events on the island. There is a small entry fee for this particular market, but children are admitted for free. You can expect some top-quality gift stalls, food and drinks stands and, of course, plenty of opportunities to enjoy some mulled wine (often advertised as Glühwein for the Germans) with friends. Palma’s Plaça Major’s Christmas Market is on the smaller side, but is a great place to get your hands on some delightful Christmas decorations and trinkets. It’s one of Mallorca’s more traditional Spanish markets, and is usually open throughout December, daily from morning until night, right the way up to January 6th. 

The upmarket Puerto Portals Christmas Market takes place from mid-December and is a stylish affair with high-end stalls, affluent patrons and bubbles flowing. There's exceptional entertainment for the little ones too! A must-visit. 

Alaro Christmas market pops up for a weekend in December. The main square will be a jovial place to be thanks to a fantastic line-up off music acts, as well as a quality selection of festive stalls selling artisan products and local culinary delights.

Ice skating
Palma’s main ice rink is one of the biggest and best, ‘Ice Park Mallorca’ is open throughout December and can be found by the station at Parc de Ses Estaciós. Prices vary depending on the number of people skating. Alternatively, some of the island's ports host their own ice skating experiences, including Port Adriano’s ice theme park and Puerto Portals ice skating rink. 

Theatre productions & music concerts
There’s a whole host of theatre productions and music concerts taking place around the island throughout the month of December. Whether you are in the mood for something festive or want to escape the Christmas festivities, there will be something on the menu to tickle your taste buds.

New Year's Eve traditions
The capital city of Palma hosts the biggest and best New Years Eve celebrations! Restaurants and hotels create memorable evenings, and of course in true Spanish style there are street parties taking place all over the city. At midnight it is customary to eat 12 grapes, for every gong of the bell. 

After overindulging during the Christmas period, why not burn off some of those extra calories by taking part in the San Silvestre Calvianera Race in Magaluf? A 6.7km run from Magaluf to Palma Nova on December 31st. Costumes are always highly encouraged!

Mallorca Christmas shopping
The island is a great place to get into the festive spirit during December, so why not tie in a spot of Christmas shopping while you are at it.  The Christmas markets are also a great place to pick up some local treasures, but if you prefer to experience the year-round traditional markets then we recommend you try Arta on a Tuesday to feast your eyes on some of the best textiles and woven baskets the island has to offer. And of course there's always Palma, which has a wonderful assortment of shops with designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Sandro and Maje to high street favourites like Zara, Massimo Dutti, Oysho and Mango along with some exceptional boutique shops. Be sure to stop by Rialto Living, a luxury lifestyle store selling everything from home furnishings and art to designer clothing. It also has an excellent gift section as you walk through the main entrance. 

Foodie fun on the island
December is a wonderful time to indulge in some of Mallorca's more traditional cuisine. Keep your eyes peeled for restaurants serving hearty stews (Arroz Brut), lamb and suckling pig! We recommend heading to Inca to experience an authentic celler restaurant (a place where wine was once made and aged), and today serves some of the best local food. Whilst the mountains certainly provide some romantic scenery for those keen to feast their eyes on some breathtaking views whilst tucking into some delicious food. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to treat yourself to some churros con chocolate! Or need to warm up? Order a carajillo, an expresso coffee served with Mallorcan rum called 'Amazonas'. 

If tapas is more your thing, then December is also a great time to join the locals for 'Tapas Tuesdays' (La Ruta Martiana) in Palma! Dozens of restaurants around Palma old town put on special deals for a 'tapa and a drink', so people can tour the streets and sample the fruits of their labour at a tasty price. 

Explore the island by foot
Now the weather is much cooler, it's a great time to embark on some outdoor pursuits and hiking should be on your bucket list on a visit to Mallorca in the winter months. For more seasoned hikers, we recommend taking on some of the iconic GR 221 'Ruta de pedra en sec'​ (Dry Stone Route), which spans the rugged Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. For those looking for less of a challenge and just a chance to explore Mallorca's magical scenery, there are some easier short-distance routes too. 

Guided tours of Palma
There are various ways to see Mallorca. In Palma, various companies offer guided tours of the main sights by foot, bike, segway and of course a double decker open top bus. This is a wonderful way to make sure you are seeing the key attractions without getting lost around the maze of streets of Palma old town. So take your pick!