Ibiza fiestas, festivals & fairs

If you are feeling weighed down by post-Christmas blues, January is a great month to visit Ibiza as there are plenty of festivities to keep you in high spirits. On January 6th, one of the most important fiestas of the year takes place, the 'Día de Reyes' or Three Kings Day, with grand parades taking place on the evening of January 5th. Although the main procession is in Ibiza Town, additional parades will take place in Santa Eulalia, San Jose and San Antonio. This is a particularly exciting event for families, as the Three Kings ride through the streets on impressive floats handing out sweets to children.

January also sees the lively town of San Antonio celebrating their patron saint with a host of events planned throughout the month. Expect concerts, street parties, markets and sports competitions, as well as the popular Flower Power fiesta on January 12th and the phenomenal Brisa Flamenca Festival on January 15th and 16th.

As almond blossom trees begin to take full bloom, we are reminded that spring is on the horizon in Ibiza. With milder temperatures, visitors to the island are encouraged to get out and about to explore the many delights that a new season brings. On February 12th, the emblematic town of Santa Eulalia commemorates their patron saint and this year is expected to provide endless enjoyment for the whole family. In addition to a traditional mass, the village’s streets will be overrun with folk dancing, delicious feasts and live music. If you happen to find yourself in Ibiza in February, then make sure you check out this fun-filled event.

As the summer season steadily approaches, March 19th sees the celebration of San Jose’s patron saint, which is also a national holiday throughout Spain. Alongside folk dancing and a traditional mass, the ever-popular Flower Power Festival will take place in the quaint village of San Jose. March also marks Carnival season or ‘Rúas de Carnaval’ in Spain which, in Ibiza, certainly exceeds all expectations of a street party. In a celebration of colour and creativity, the carnival showcases the imaginative efforts of local schools and performing arts academies. In addition to captivating parades adorned by lavish decorations, live music and fun activities for the children are offered. Processions are held throughout the month across the island, which means that you can continue to soak up the lively ambience that these fabulous events provide.

Easter is not only about chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits and, in Ibiza, visitors are given the chance to experience a traditional take on a much-loved festival. ‘Semana Santa' or Holy Week is mostly a religious celebration in Spain and begins on April 14th this year. During the week, processions will run across the island with the largest celebration organised in Dalt Vila on Good Friday (April 19th). Dressed in colourful costumes and intricate masks, participants of this grand parade will carry wooden platforms decorated with figures of the Virgin, Christ and other religious characters. This is a fantastic opportunity to witness an ancient custom in a truly majestic setting.

May is one of the loveliest months of the year in Ibiza with warmer temperatures bringing a real sense of life to the island. As alluring as the weather, the Medieval Fair will take place from May 9th to 12th in Dalt Vila, a world UNESCO Heritage Site. Now in its 20th edition, the festival pays tribute to the multicultural legacy of Ibiza, transporting visitors back to the Middle Ages. With a full program of activities including dance shows, theatre, illusionism, handicraft markets, jugglers and puppets, the event is set to attract huge crowds.

Also hosted in Dalt Vila and its surrounding areas, the Sueños de Libertad Festival will be held on May 17th and 18th. Translating to ‘Dreams of Freedom’, the festival is a popular cultural event in Ibiza and will include live music, art exhibitions and food stalls serving scrumptious delights.

In June the summer season is in full swing with the island returning to its usual vibrancy. In Spain, the start of summer is often celebrated with fireworks and bonfires which make an appearance on June 24th when the patron saint of San Juan is commemorated. Although celebrated across the island, the main focus will be in the charming town of San Juan itself. Here, the village is painted with firework displays, BBQs and bonfires, giving the brave a chance to jump over small fires or walk across hot coals.

As schools begin to break for summer, the island becomes an attractive destination for families who are offered a wealth of family-friendly activities. On July 16th the patron saint of fishermen, the Virgen del Carmen, is celebrated and marks a public holiday for Ibiza’s coastal villages. As well as street artists and fairs, a water procession will disembark from Ibiza Port to pay homage to this cherished saint. Boats are decorated with flowers and blessed by local priests, with processions taking place in Ibiza Town, Sant Antoni, Es Cubells, Portinatx and the beautiful island of Formentera.

Boasting scorching temperatures and warm waters, the island can be mistaken for a tropical paradise in August, with plenty of festivities taking place throughout the month. In early August, Festes de la Terra takes over Ibiza Town in a celebration of the city's patron saints, Santa María de las Nieves and Sant Ciriac. As well as extravagant floats, parades and a mass at the old town’s cathedral, a spectacular firework show will also light up Dalt Vila and Ibiza Port at midnight. Fireworks certainly signify celebrations in Ibiza and will also feature on August 24th when the patron saint of Sant Bartomeu is commemorated in San Antonio.

The Eivissa Jazz Festival has proved to be one of the most enthralling events of the year and sees the majestic city of Dalt Vila composed with music and lights. For five days, international musicians will travel to the island to perform in a series of captivating concerts. Dates for the festival have not yet been released, so do keep an eye on our Events Calendar for further information. September also commemorates several traditional fiestas including Mare de Deu de Jesus on September 8th and Sant Miquel on September 29th. Expect small funfairs, tasty Spanish wine and live music in the villages bearing the same name.

As the summer season in Ibiza comes to an end, the island organises a host of wonderful events across the island. One highlight is the Ibiza Light Festival which sees the old town of Ibiza reinvented into a spectacular exhibition of lights, music and performances. The festival aims to transform Ibiza’s most emblematic area with a fusion of art, culture and technology. Although dates have not yet been released, the two-day festival usually takes place on the second week of October. Make sure you check our Events Calendar for further announcements.

Although November brings tranquillity to the island, there are still lots of interesting events planned. Throughout the month the Ibiza Sabor Festival takes place, which is an impressive gastronomical affair. Organised by the Consell Insular d’Eivissa, the festival includes a plethora of the island’s restaurants which offer special menus and tapas deals. This huge event celebrates typical Ibizan cuisine, with delicious local fare set to awaken your senses. Highlights of the festival include cooking demonstrations and visits to wineries for tasting.

Thanks to a full calendar of exciting and varied events, the year can seem to fly by in Ibiza. December marks the island’s beloved Christmas Market Season and gives visitors a chance to discover a wealth of treasures, including arts and handicrafts, decorative items and mulled wine. Ibiza Town's Christmas Market is extremely popular and is garnished by stunning street lights. Adding a touch of bohemian magic, the Las Dalias Christmas Market is also highly recommended and is the perfect place to fill up your Christmas stockings.