Name: Festa de la Beata
Start: 2026-09-06
End: 2026-09-06
Location: Plaça de la Vila, Santa Margalida

Festa de la Beata

Plaça de la Vila, Santa Margalida

Every first Sunday of September, Santa Margalida stages what is often called Mallorca's most distinctive procession: the Festa de la Beata, in honour of Santa Catalina Tomàs. The parade is led on foot by the Beata — a village girl who plays La Beata Major — surrounded by xeremiers, marching bands, locals dressed as peasant farmers and twelve spectacular carrosses (floats) that recreate scenes from the saint's life. Its signature moment belongs to the dimonis (demons), who chase the peasants to wrest their clay jars and smash them on the ground at the Beata's feet, dancing around her as they go. The demons take to the streets in the morning, but the main procession only sets off once night has fallen, ending with the last jars broken in the Church Square. In 2025 the Consell de Mallorca declared the Festa de la Beata — in Palma, Valldemossa and Santa Margalida — Intangible Cultural Heritage of the island. Practical: Sunday 6 September 2026 · Santa Margalida · free entry · demons out in the morning, procession begins at nightfall · arrive early to claim a spot.

WHAT HAPPENS

The shape of it

Twelve thematic floats

A dozen spectacular carrosses roll through the streets, each recreating a scene from the life of Santa Catalina Tomàs, alongside marching bands and villagers dressed as peasant farmers.

Dimonis and the jar-breaking

The festa's signature moment: demons chase the peasants to snatch their clay jars and smash them on the ground at the Beata's feet, dancing around her as they go.

The Beata leads on foot

A village girl plays La Beata Major and heads the procession on foot, with the last jars smashed in the Church Square to close one of Mallorca's most distinctive parades.

Xeremiers and traditional dress

Groups of xeremiers (Mallorcan bagpipers) and bands accompany the parade, with participants turned out in traditional Mallorcan costume.

FROM THE FLOOR

What you're walking into

SCHEDULE

When to go

6 September

GOOD TO KNOW

Before you go

The demons take to the streets in the morning, but the main procession sets off once night has fallen and ends with the last jars smashed in the Church Square.

The procession is a free public street event — no ticket needed.

The parade fills the streets of Santa Margalida and finishes in the Church Square, so arrive early to claim a spot along the route.

GETTING THERE

Where it is

Open in Maps

Plaça de la Vila, Santa Margalida