The Fiestas of Soller

By Shirley Roberts

Written by Shirley Roberts in April 2023

We are often asked for the dates and outline of all the fiestas in Soller. Some are planning their holidays around the dates and others want to avoid them. The Soller Valley fiestas on this list are local and will happen whether there are visitors in Town or not. They are significant dates, and some are in alignment with the Catholic Church Calendar.

Other events will augment this list which come from other ideas, not necessarily considered ‘cultural’. They are announced as they happen…

The fiestas are worked on by the Town Hall and a host of volunteers. They are well used to this work which they perform with dedication each year. However, this is not a Disney production with every eventuality catered for. Sometimes the weather or another disaster changes the date or the venue of an occasion. This means we cannot guarantee and are not liable for any changes to the events plan. We give all information in good faith…

Let’ start in January with Sant Antoni. On 17th January each year we celebrate with the rest of Spain, the fiesta of San Antoni – his Saints Day is 17th January, and the bonfires are lit the night before. Bonfires, demons and animal blessings are a feature of the season of Sant Antoni. Many schools and organisations have their own Sant Antoni celebrations. The bonfires and barbecues appear to last all January long.

In February we celebrate Carnival. The date is fluid as it ties into the beginning of Lent which is not a fixed date. In 2023 the dates were 17^th & 18^th February. Rua parades in the Port of Soller for all ages, and the Rueta for the Children happens in the Placa in Soller. Children’s school parades happen in the week of Carnival, and they are all great to watch.

In March/April (depending on the Church Calendar) we celebrate Easter. In 2023 Easter was celebrated from Maundy Thursday 6^th April to Easter Monday 10^th April 2023. Services every day through Easter with Sant Bartholomew Church leading the way with fantastic theatrical and light events to augment the services. The processions of the Penitents happen for three nights and are a special feature of Easter in the Soller Valley.

On April 29^th & 30th we celebrate the Orange with a weekend of festivities. For two weeks, at this time, local restaurants have a specially priced orange menus for all to enjoy. A great opportunity to sample the wonderful gastronomy of this area. In 2023 the ‘Weekend of the Orange’ is 29^th & 30^th April with tasting menus from 21^st April to 7^th May 2023.

From May 11^th, 2023, all attention turns to the Firo preceded by the Fira. The Battle of the Moors and Christians takes place on Monday 15^th May 2023. Battles on the beaches and in the Placa for the final victory. Guns, bangs, gunpowder and shooting through straw hats is commonplace.

The full historical re-enactment begins in Church on Thursday 11^th May 2023. The Valiant Women and all the historical characters gather to set the scene and ignite the passion for another act of remembrance. The original took place in 1562.

From 12^th to 14^th May there are events all day and live music evenings. The Fair comes to Town, and Soller parties.

Firo takes place annually on the first Monday after the first 2 Sundays in May

2023 Firo Monday 15th May

2024 Firo Monday 13th May

2025 Firo Monday 12th May

2026 Firo Monday 11th May

2027 Firo Monday 10th May

2028 Firo Monday 15th May

2029 Firo Monday 14th May

2030 Firo Monday 13th May

In June we celebrate Sant Joan and purification takes place on 23^rd June

St Joan was the saint that baptised Jesus and for that reason the water side locations claim him as their own. At midnight on the Eve of St John people take a swim or a paddle in the sea to symbolise purification and cleansing. It is said that your ailments will disappear and that your sins will be forgiven if you perform this ritual. Dressing in white and joining with many others doing the same thing is also a tradition for some.

The beachside picnics and barbeques are legendary, and the authorities seem to turn a blind eye to the bonfires on the beaches for this one night in the calendar. Candles with their direct flame to heaven are used on the beaches too and sent out on little floats to sea taking with them the prayers of the faithful. writing your intention on a piece of paper which is thrown into the flame is also said to bring you good vibes.

The Fiesta of St John in Deia starts on June 24^th.

Deia celebrates as it knows how, and many events take place over a five-day fiesta period. Live music and Church Services plus the unique events of this remarkable location. The Deia Fiesta is known worldwide, and many make the trek to join in.

The Fiesta of St Peter on 28^th June is close to the heart of the Port of Soller.

On 28th June, St Peter is celebrated. The Patron Saint of Fishermen is dear to the heart of the Port of Soller people. Four days of events on the quayside including live music. Families gather on the beaches for family and friends’ gatherings and picnics.

St Peter acknowledges all on the different beaches of the Port of Soller before going home to the Santa Catalina end of the Port.

The fiesta of Mare de Deu del Carmen takes place on 15th July each year Our Lady of Carmen, one of the invocations for the Virgin Mary, is considered by Spanish fishermen their loyal guardian and holds the title of Patron awarded by the Armada (Spanish Navy). Also known as “Star of the Seas”

At 20.30 a Mass is said at the Port of Soller Church and there is usually an effigy of Carmen in situ. Many local people attend this service because in one way or another they all have connections with the sea. You cannot fail to be connected if you live in the Port of Soller.

The statues are then processed to the Harbour and loaded on to a procession of small boats. Meanwhile earlier in the day flares are dug into the sand surrounding the bay.

The procession by boat starts around 9 pm and then around 10 pm the Port of Soller is plunged into darkness and the electricity is cut off round the bay. The only light comes from the flares that are lit all around the beach. So, to the darkened Port illuminated by the flares the Mare de Deu de Carmen comes. She gently sweeps the bay until coming back to rest at the Santa Catalina end of the Port of Soller.

The lights come back on, and a family fiesta takes place with people meeting on the beach for picnics and gatherings. Very low key and gentle with an acknowledgment that Carmen does a pretty good job of looking after those who need her.

Neighbourhood Fiestas take place in July each year. L’horta and the Estiradors are two to look out for when their dates are announced.

Biniaraix has a neighbourhood Fiesta in July each year. Look out for the programme.

Sant Bartolomeu is the saint of Soller, and he is celebrated on 24^th August 2023 with a week of celebrations. Many events, live music and a Fire Run with lots of devils and mayhem. Usually, a five-day event if you are reserving dates.

The Fiesta of Fornalutx is on dates surrounding 8^th September. This is in honour of the village’s patron Saint La Mare de Deu (Mother of God). For four days, events, live music and celebration is the village theme. A bull is paraded through the streets in an age old custom.

September events often include a Fira de La Mar in the Port of Soller. The Habaneras Music Festival visits for two days to its venue on the Repic Beach. No dates for either of these at the time of writing.