Image of the Christmas lights switch-on in Palma in 2023 at Plaça de la Reina. Photo: Mallorca Global.
On 23rd November, Palma will once again dress up for the traditional Christmas lights switch-on, marking the start of the 2024 festive season in the city. This year’s event is inspired by worlds and characters from other planets, filling the streets with colour, magic, and a futuristic touch. The main ceremony will take place at Plaça de la Reina at 8:20 PM, but activities will begin much earlier, featuring parades and performances at various locations across the city.
Schedule of activities for the Christmas lights switch-on
7:00 PM – 7:40 PM
The start of three simultaneous parades with unique routes:
- ‘Cabalia’: Starting at Carrer Riera, moving along Unió and ending at Joan Carles I.
- ‘Els visitants’: Starting from Sa Feixina, passing through Passeig Sagrera and ending at Antoni Maura.
- ‘Lumínic alien safari’: Starting at Sant Miquel, passing through Plaça Major, and ending at Cort.
Each parade will feature acrobats, jugglers, and futuristic characters, bringing a touch of fantasy and vibrancy to Palma’s streets. The parades will conclude at 7:40 PM, at which point other performances will begin at various points in the city centre.
7:40 PM – 8:20 PM
Performances at various city locations:
- Plaça del Mercat: ‘La màquina dels desitjos’: A circus performance featuring aerial acrobatics, juggling, and light shows that invites children to submit their letters and wishes for the city, which will be projected onto a giant screen.
- Plaça de Cort: A live performance depicting the origins of the universe and human evolution through sand drawings, accompanied by music and light effects.
- Plaça de la Reina: The “Asteroide” show, combining dance, music, and aerial theatre to tell children’s stories. Additionally, a permanent installation of abstract sculptures will enhance the futuristic atmosphere of the city.
8:20 PM
The highlight of the evening with the countdown to the lights switch-on at two locations:
- Plaça de la Reina.
- Plaça de Cort.
This year, the City Council has implemented measures to ensure greater comfort and safety by dividing the main performance areas between two locations. With this initiative, Palma reinforces its commitment to providing an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors, heralding a festive season filled with light and hope.
Opening of the Cort nativity scene and the royal postbox
On Friday, 22nd November, the traditional Cort Nativity Scene will be inaugurated in the Town Hall lobby. This year, as a new feature, it will be installed in the centre of the space, allowing a smooth flow of visitors with separate entry and exit doors. The Associació de Betlemistes and artisan Margalida Nicolau have collaborated on the creation of the figures. The event will also include the opening of the royal postbox.
More lights in more neighbourhoods
Among this year’s featured installations, visitors can enjoy three impressive Christmas trees: two 10-metre trees located at Carrer Jaume III and Avinguda Antoni Maura, and a 20-metre tree at Parc de Ses Estacions, which will also host an expanded Christmas market with new stalls. Additionally, Passeig Sagrera will feature a giant illuminated bauble, and a star installation will light up the entrance to the Santa Catalina neighbourhood.
The Passeig des Born in 2023. Photo: Mallorca Global.
With the aim of reaching more neighbourhoods, the total length of garlands has increased to 59,860 metres, and the number of decorative modules has risen from 374 to 802, making extensive use of garlands and festive banners.
This year, Palma’s Christmas lighting includes several innovations. Lights have been added in new areas, including Camí de Jesús, Plaça Marquès del Palmer, Gabriel Alzamora and Malgrana streets (Son Cladera), Plaça Drassanes, Parc de Ses Estacions, and Fornaris and Siquier streets in La Soledat.
Additionally, the Avenidas will feature garlands adorning the trees from General Riera to Instituts, and Sant Jordi will host a light canopy in Plaça Bisbe Planas.
Decorations in areas like Costa i Llobera and Vinyassa have been fully renewed, while banners on Verge de Montserrat street have been updated, achieving full coverage and a modern design.
Finally, some previous installations have been removed to incorporate new decorative elements in neighbourhoods such as Sant Jordi, Es Pil·larí, s’Hostalot, Son Ferriol, s’Aranjassa, Son Cladera, and Es Molinar.
Councillor for Infrastructure, Accessibility, and Industrial Estates, Belén Soto, highlighted that “the improvements in Palma’s Christmas lighting for 2024-2025 reflect a renewed commitment to sustainability, aesthetics, and the enjoyment of public spaces. With increased investment, the city has successfully expanded decorated areas, modernised outdated installations, and enhanced the density and quality of the Christmas lights.”
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