Festa de la Beata
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.
