Formentera Celebrations

Contrary to what happens elsewhere, most of Formentera parties are located in a fixed and invariable date in the calendar year, so that the celebration of certain festivals of the saints has become a real tradition.
The religious aspect was well marked in the festivities that were held previously. Mass of celebration, held mid-morning, was a notable act of social relevance that gathered a large proportion of the population in the respective temples. But the liturgy, when completed, gave way again to the most profane sphere. Thus, a massive dance at the same square of the church used to be common in festivities such as Sant Joan, Sant Pere, Sant Jaume or Santa Maria. In the afternoon, after celebrating the family meal, there were few houses where formerly there was no member of any of these names, "the younger people are wearing the best clothes and went for a walk. Seized the opportunity to congregate in certain streets or in certain houses, where it was customary to raffles, roosters run, dance or sing. This served as the setting for a population of Formentera dispersed as needed: human contact with other individuals.
With the changes society has undergone Formentera in the second half of the twentieth century, the celebration of the holiday has also become substantially. In addition, most of those dates remain retraced since ancient times, as some of its elements that have characterized further over time.

Holiday Calendar of Formentera is:


CAVALCADA DE REIS.
5 January. The Royal Cavalcade sails into La Savina port before touring the villages of the island to visit children and hand out gifts.
Presented by the Department of Culture

CARNAVAL. February (definitive scheduling based on Lent). Gathering of revellers—including decorated floats, as well as small-group, large-group and individual entries in fancy dress—followed by parade. Festivities culminate with a dance contest.
Presented by the Department of Culture

DÍA DE ANDALUCÍA. 28 February. Snacks and music.
Organised by Andalusian Cultural Group of Formentera

DIA DE LES BALEARS. 1 March. Traditional Formentera dance, music and gastronomy. With the support of the government of the Balearic Islands.
Organised by Department of Culture and Education

FESTIVAL FOLKLÒRIC ILLA DE FORMENTERA
In mid-March, the Festival Folklòric brings together local dance troupes Es Xacoters and Es Pastorells, plus special guests.

ROMERIA MARE DE DÉU DE LA CABEZA. 25 April, Verbena and floral offering to Our Lady of the Pillar, Mass, snacks and music.
Organised by Andalusian Cultural Group of Formentera

SANT JORDI. 23 April. Dia del Llibre i la Rosa. Cultural activities at the Marià Villangómez Library (story time with legends of Sant Jordi, bookmark and literary contests), presentations of books by renowned authors, book signings, book stands by local cultural groups, etc.
Organised by Department of Culture, Friends of the International Library and OCB Formentera

PRIMAVERA DE CULTURA. Throughout April. Conferences, workshop on production of local herbes liqueur, Catalan-language concerts, book presentations, popular singing.
Organised by OCB Formentera

FESTES DE SANT FERRAN. 30 May. Sant Ferran de ses Roques. Procession, concerts, traditional dance, children's entertainment...
Organised by Association of Sant Ferran Craftworkers

FESTES DE SANT JOAN. 23 June. La Mola. Lighting the Sant Joan flame, gaita performance (traditional Formentera sonada), concerts.
Organised by La Mola Festival Committee

FESTES DE LA MARE DE DÉU DEL CARME. 16 July. La Savina. Feast celebration of local fishermen. Nautical procession delivering floral offering to sailors. Traditional dance, children's entertainment, concerts.
Organised by La Savina Neighbourhood Association

FESTES DE LA MARE DE DÉU DEL CARME. Near in time to La Savina's Festes del Carme, hosted in Es Pujols, formerly fishermen's bay. Nautical procession, children's entertainment on the beach, concerts.
Organised by Es Pujols Neighbourhood Association

FESTES DE SANT JAUME. 25 July. Diada de Formentera. Activities concentrated in the second half of July. Theatre, dance, exhibitions, jazz, open-air cinema, emerging and established artists in concert, children's entertainment, performances of traditional dance and song.
Organised by Department of Culture

FESTES DE SANTA MARIA. 5 August. Festes de la Terra. Activities all-month-long in August. Talks, dimonis, Catalan-language concerts with groups from across the Catalan territories, children's activities and workshops, performances of traditional dance and song, young poets' gathering.
Organised by Santa Maria Festival Committee

FESTES DE SANT AGUSTÍ. 28 August. Es Caló de Sant Agustí. Activities and traditional dance performance.
Organised by Es Caló de Sant Agustí Festival Commission.

FESTES DEL PILAR. 12 October. La Mola. Procession and activities, children's entertainment, concerts
Organised by La Mola Festival Commission

FESTES DE SANT FRANCESC XAVIER. 3 December. Sant Francesc Xavier. Procession, concerts, traditional dance, children's entertainment, traditional gastronomy
Organised by Three Kings Group and Es Forn Gastronomic Association

CHRISTMAS: Celebrations extend from 20 to 31 December. Activities: Christmas Market, local artists' collective, popular children's Christmas carols, children's theatre, concerts, cinema, visits with Father Christmas, show window display contest...

24 Christmas Eve. Nighttime vigil in the churches of the island with local troupes performing Christmas caramelles (traditional Pine Islands music recognised as local cultural heritage)
25 Christmas
26 Sa Mitjana Festa
31 New Year's Eve. A live cover band to ring in the new year.


Organised by Department of Culture and Department of Commerce