Mallorca in December (2024): Weather, Events, and Best Things to Do

Just writing this blog post has got me so excited about Mallorca in December! If you’re visiting Mallorca over the festive period or have moved here and will be spending Christmas here for the first time, you likely have a tonne of questions. What’s the weather like? Is there a lot to do? Are there any interesting Spanish Christmas traditions to know about?…

That’s why I’ve lovingly created this detailed guide to Mallorca in December, including weather conditions, things to do, and special events. With traditional Christmas markets, almond milk fairs, and apocalyptic mass services, December is a super exciting time to be on the island and get involved with Spanish Christmas traditions. Curious to find out more? Let’s jump in!

What’s the weather like in Mallorca in December?

Let’s start with the weather. With daily highs of  17℃ (62.6℉) and lows of 6℃ (42.8℉), Mallorca’s not hot in December but is very mild compared to Northern Europe. 

There are no sunbeds, parasols, or lifeguard services at the beaches this time of year, but on sunny days you can definitely enjoy a winter walk or picnic there. In fact, with the summer crowds long gone, this is one of the best times to check out the gorgeous calas that are oversubscribed in high season.

The average sea temperature is 16℃ (60.8℉), so most people will find it too chilly to swim, but it depends on your tolerance for cold. If you’re into water sports like surfing, you’ll see that people are active all year, albeit wrapped up in a wetsuit! 

With a similar amount of rainfall to Mallorca in November and October, you do need to be prepared for the odd shower or dramatic storm! You should also know that with some of the shortest days of the year and an average of 5 hours of sunshine per day, this is the darkest time of the year on the island, but Mallorca’s gorgeous Christmas lights certainly make up for it!

What to wear in Mallorca in December

Mallorca has plenty of sunny days in December when it will feel warm and pleasant around lunchtime, so definitely remember your sunglasses, sun cream, plus t-shirts and tank tops you can wear under layers. You’ll also need swimwear or a wetsuit if you plan on going swimming. For rainy days you’ll need a waterproof jacket, good shoes, and an umbrella at hand, plus warm layers, gloves and a coat for the chilly evenings.

Of course, how you find the weather and what you wear in response will differ massively depending on where you come from and what you’re used to. December in Mallorca has similar weather to London in September or Newcastle in July. 😂😭. So even though locals wouldn’t be caught dead wearing shorts in December, don’t let that hold you back.

December Weather Summary:

Average Temperatures: Daily highs of 17℃ (62.6℉) and lows of 6℃ (42.8℉)

Average Sea Temperature: 16℃ (60.8℉)

Average daily sunshine hours: 5 hours

Average rainfall: 6 days with around 45mm (1.8inches) of rain falling over the month

Sunrise and sunset at the start of the month: 07:51 am – 5:25 pm 

Sunrise and sunset at the end of the month: 08:09 am – 5:35 pm

Things to Do in Mallorca in December

It may be low season on the island, but there’s no lack of things to see and do. From gift shopping at the Christmas markets to checking out Palma’s elaborate nativity scenes, Mallorca in December has plenty of festive cheer. It’s also a great time to hike in the mountains, go sightseeing, and relax at the spa. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start with shopping!

Christmas Shopping

Palma doesn’t offer the mind-boggling choice of big shopping capitals like London or Barcelona, but its compact size and variety of stores make it a great choice for anyone wanting to indulge in some retail therapy without huge crowds. Whether you prefer big brands or small boutiques, Palma’s gorgeous Old Town has a wide selection of stores interspersed with plenty of eateries and bars to keep you well fuelled on your shopping spree.

While it’s always a pleasure to go shopping in Palma, with the Christmas decorations up and lights turned on, December is a particularly pretty time to visit. To find out more about shopping in Palma’s old town, malls and Christmas markets, check out my article on Christmas shopping in Mallorca.

Follow the Nativity Scene Route (Ruta de los Belenes)

Unlike the UK, where Christmas nativity scenes are a simple affair, the Spanish belén (also called pesebre) is a big deal. Almost every Spanish home creates its own miniature nativity scene, often encompassing the whole city of Bethlehem. Aside from the main characters, these elaborate installations can include anyone from the village baker and farmer, to the caganer taking a dump next to the Virgin Mary. You can even find scenes complete with fresh bark and twigs, working watermills and tiny LEDs for candles inside hand-crafted houses!

In Mallorca, there are countless opportunities to see nativity scenes in markets, shopping malls, churches, and cultural centres. Here are a few to get you started:

• Palma Cathedral – With its gorgeous setting, it’s no surprise that this is one of the city’s most visited traditional nativity scenes. 
• Centre Cultural La Misericòrdia – Aside from the nativity, this scene also depicts traditional everyday life in rural Mallorca.
• Fundación Bartolomé March Servera – You’ll need to pay to see this one, but in exchange you’ll get to see an impressive 18th-century Neapolitan nativity with over two thousand intricately crafted pieces. 
• Sa Nostra Centre de Cultura – Home to a traditional Mallorcan nativity uniquely shaped like an island. 

Aside from getting you into the festive spirit, La Ruta de los Belenes is a fantastic way to explore Palma Old Town as you’ll pass by some historic buildings, iconic shops, and cafés where you can warm up with some hot churros!

Sightseeing

If you’re up for some serious sightseeing, December is perfect. Not only is it relatively quiet – especially compared to July and August – the weather’s mild, and the Christmas decorations add a touch of festive magic to the island. Here are some of my top recommendations:

Visit Palma Cathedral

One of Europe’s largest Gothic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Palma Cathedral is always worth a visit, especially during the festive period when you can see special multilingual Christmas services, carol concerts, and an ancient midnight mass service dating back to the Middle Ages.

Take a Guided Walking Tour

I always think a guided walking tour is a great way to get to know a city, whether you’re a first-time visitor or have lived there for years. One of the benefits of going on a tour in December is that not only will you find out fun facts about Palma and its interesting history, you’ll also discover Mallorcan Christmas traditions and what’s on this winter!

Go on a Road Trip

With many buses operating on reduced winter schedules and the price of taxis rocketing on December’s many public holidays, December is a great month to see Mallorca by car. Plus, with way fewer people on the roads this time of year, parking will be a breeze compared to the summer months, not to mention the price of rental cars will be considerably lower. 

Take advantage to get out and about and visit some of the island’s gorgeous mountain towns like Valldemossa, Deià, and Pollença.

Go Hiking

Outside of the hot summer months, a hike in Mallorca is always a good idea. While winter in most of Europe is often too cold, wet, or grey for pleasant hikes, Mallorca’s mild winter weather is perfect for unleashing your inner mountain goat. What’s more, you’ll find the island at its lushest and greenest this time of year and may even get to see its highest peaks dusted in snow! 

Get inspired by these winter hiking trails, or simply talk a walk along one of the (probably deserted) beaches. Top tip: This is a fantastic option for Mallorca’s many public holidays in December when most businesses will be closed. Just make sure to take a packed lunch!

Unwind at the Spa

If you need to relax your aching muscles after a strenuous hike or shopping spree, you’re in luck. Mallorca has tonnes of spas across the island, which often offer considerable discounts in the winter months! Whether you prefer to sweat it out in the sauna, relax in the jacuzzi, or let your stress melt away with a full-body massage, you can find great deals on Hotel Break.

What’s on in Mallorca in December? Key dates and special events

December in Mallorca is all about Christmas. From the largest German-speaking mass outside Germany to Swedish carol concerts, you can find a wide variety of Christmas traditions and events from other cultures in the Balearic islands, which are home to Spain’s highest proportion of foreign-born residents (28%). There’s a lot going on this month, so let’s dive right in!

Public Holidays – 6th, 8th, 25th and 26th of December

With four public holidays, December is one of the months with the most days off in Mallorca. Woohoo! As a result, you’ll find a lot of businesses are closed on these days so make sure to call ahead before venturing out. It’s also good to note that public transport services might be reduced and taxis will charge a premium. So plan ahead to avoid getting stranded and paying a fortune to get home! Here’s a quick run-down of when and what they are:

Constitution Day – 6th of December

A public holiday in all of Spain, Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución) commemorates the approval of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which marked Spain’s transition to democracy after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The constitution was ratified by a public referendum on this date and has since served as the foundation of Spain’s democratic government.

Unlike more festive holidays, you won’t find a lot happening on this day, but the great thing is that it’s followed by another just two days later. Because of this, many people will also take the 7th off to enjoy three days holiday in a row or even 5 days if it falls just before the weekend!

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception – 8th of December

Another national holiday, La Inmaculada Concepción honours the Virgin Mary and marks the official start of the Christmas season in Spain. Unfortunately, in 2024 it falls on a Sunday, so office workers like me will receive absolutely no benefit. Nevertheless, you’ll find the churches beautifully decorated and you can enjoy the many religious processions and masses, traditional music, and street performances on this day. 

Christmas Day – 25th of December

Merry Christmas! While some families do exchange small gifts on Christmas days, it’s much more common to wait until January 6th – the traditional gift-giving day in Spain. Instead, this is a day for spending time with family, eating large quantities of festive food, and maybe going for a winter walk along the beach or in the countryside. 

Saint Stephen’s Day – 26th of December

A public holiday in Catalonia and the Balearic islands, El Dia de Sant Esteve honours St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This is basically another day of merrymaking with family and friends and the perfect excuse to eat up those Christmas leftovers.

Santa Lucia Christmas Concert, Palma Cathedral – 13th of December

With a thriving community of around 15,000, the Swedes of Mallorca bring their unique Scandinavian flair to the island’s holiday season. Every year on the 13th of December, The Swedish School of Mallorca delights over 1,000 spectators with their traditional concert honouring Saint Lucia – a third-century martyr and important figure deeply rooted in Scandinavian culture. 

A girl chosen to represent Lucia leads a procession of handmaidens and starboys, singing songs and carrying candles to signify the return of the light after the darkest days of winter —an eagerly anticipated event during Swedish winter! 

Held in Palma Cathedral since 2017, this Christmas candle-lit performance offers an interesting blend of Swedish, Spanish, Catalan, and English Christmas carols – a unique way to kick off your Christmas celebrations! The event always attracts large crowds, so although it doesn’t start until 8 pm, arrive early to get a good seat (doors open at 6:45 pm).

The Almond Milk Fair, Pla de na Tesa – 22nd of December

If you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know that Mallorca has its fair share of highly specific food fairs. Throughout the year you’ll find fairs celebrating all kinds of food and drink including pumpkins, mushrooms, honey, rice, tomatoes, sweets, wine, peppers, potatoes, apricots, cheese, oranges, salt… and in December: Almond milk! 

Celebrated every year in December, La Fira de la Llet d’Ametlla keeps alive the tradition of drinking almond milk at Christmas time. This tradition dates back to around 1682 when the vegan friars of Santa Maria del Camí would use a mill in their convent to make almond milk once a year (usually around Christmas) and serve it to their neighbours.

Nowadays, almond milk is still made artisanally by four families in the municipality of Marratxí and enjoyed as a sweet Christmas treat. At the fair (aside from hundreds of litres of almond milk!), you can expect stalls offering a wide range of food and handmade goods, traditional music and dancing, parades, live music, games for children and carol singing. See the full programme here.

The Spanish Christmas Lottery – 22nd December

If you’ve been here a while, you’ll know Spain is obsessed with the lottery. But the Spanish Christmas lottery is by far the most important. El Sorteo Extraordinario de Navidad known as El Gordo (“the fat one”), is one of the biggest lotteries in the world, handing out billions of euros of cash prizes every year. 

Unlike most lotteries which end with one winner taking home the jackpot, El Gordo gives away over 15,000 cash prizes, ranging from 20 Euros to 4 million euros, significantly increasing your chances of winning. As a result, it’s become a national event sparking widespread participation and excitement.

How it works is quite mind-boggling for the uninitiated, but luckily for you, I’ve broken it all down in this beginner’s guide to the Spanish Christmas lottery. Check it out and buy your ticket before the big prize draw on the 22nd of December.

German Christmas Mass, Palma Cathedral – 24th of December

It’s not just the Swedes who have made their mark on the island’s Christmas traditions. Home to an estimated 60,000 German residents, Mallorca hosts the largest German-speaking Christmas mass outside Germany! In fact, due to high demand, German Christmas Mass will be held in two sittings on Christmas Eve, the first at 3:30 pm and the second at 5 pm.

Canto de la Sibila, Palma Cathedral – 24th December

If you want to experience one of Mallorca’s most unique traditions, head to church on Christmas Eve for the Canto de la Sibila. This ancient Gregorian chant, performed during Midnight Mass (Misa del Gallo), is sung by a young soloist dressed in a white tunic and carrying a sword, who walks solemnly through the church, often accompanied by two small children. The lyrics, sung in Catalan, are based on ancient prophecies foretelling the apocalypse and urge the faithful to reflect on repentance and judgment. What a jolly little ditty for Christmas Eve!

Despite being banned throughout Europe in the 16th century, the ceremony has been performed  almost continuously in Mallorca since the Middle Ages and was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2010

While you can hear the Canto de la Sibila in nearly every church in Mallorca on Christmas Eve, the most renowned rendition takes place at Palma Cathedral. Midnight Mass begins at 11 pm, but be sure to arrive early if you want a good seat!

Festival of the Standard (Festa de l’Estendard) – December 31st

Before we get to the cava-popping and merry-making, Mallorca treats us to a celebration rich in history and tradition: La Festa de l’Estendard. Held every year on the 31st of December 31st, the event commemorates the Christian conquest of Palma by King James I of Aragon in 1229, ending the Muslim occupation on the island.

Expect historical reenactments, a special mass service, ceremonial acts, poetry readings, and traditional music and dancing that will transport you back to Mallorca’s medieval past. One of Europe’s oldest celebrations of its kind,  La Festa de l’Estendard is a must for history enthusiasts and makes a unique way to spend the last day of the year. Starts at 10:15 am in Plaça Cort, Palma.

New Year’s Eve (Noche Vieja) – 31st of December

Whether ringing in the new year in front of Palma’s town hall, going for a fancy gala dinner, or celebrating at home with friends and family, Noche Vieja is all about having a good time, letting your hair down with loved ones, and frantically trying to swallow 12 grapes before the stroke of midnight! To find out more about New Year’s Eve celebrations in Spain, check out these 5 Spanish New Year’s Eve Traditions you need to know about.

Pros and cons of visiting Mallorca in December

Pros

• Despite being low-season, there’s a lot going on in December in Mallorca.
• This is your chance to experience some of Mallorca’s unique Christmas traditions.
• The days may be the shortest of the year but the Christmas markets and lights give the island some festive cheer.
• Despite it no longer being beach season, Mallorca is much warmer and sunniers than most of Europe this time of year, and will feel very pleasant compared to the cold North.
• There aren’t many visitors.
• With fewer rental cars on the road, driving and parking will be a breeze.
• You can find some good low-season deals on accommodation and rental cars.

Cons

• Many shops, hotels and restaurants are closed, especially in resort towns like Palma Nova, Magaluf, and Arenal.
• This is the month with the least amount of sunlight hours for exploring.
• Unless you’re wrapped up, you can’t eat dinner outside any more.
• Many bus lines reduce their frequency or cease operations altogether.
• Most buildings are not designed for cold weather and many don’t have heating so instead of feeling cosy and warm you might feel cold and miserable. 

Is December a good time to visit Mallorca?

Yes! Without a doubt December is a great month for anyone interested in experiencing unique Christmas traditions and exploring the island in low season. 

This is not the time to come if you’re after a party or beach holiday, but it’s perfect if you want to learn more about the island’s history, culture and gastronomy, without the crowds.

Have you visited Mallorca in December? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments section! 👇 Bon Nadal!