Mallorca in January (2025): Weather, Events, and Best Things to Do

Happy New Year! Christmas might be over, but Mallorca’s festive season is still in full swing. From the magic of Kings’ Day to the week-long Sant Sebastià festivities, discover this month’s packed events calendar and what to expect from Mallorca in January. 

What’s the weather like in Mallorca in January?

With daily highs of around 15℃ and lows of 4℃ at night, January is Mallorca’s coldest month.  While mild compared to winter in Northern Europe, the island’s high humidity makes it feel a lot colder. 

Tip: Take layers to keep warm, especially at night!

That said, January often enjoys a short windless period known as las calmas, with warm, sunny days that feel like spring – perfect for hiking or Stand Up Paddle Boarding! Towards the end of the month, you’ll also see the island’s millions of Almond Blossom trees burst into life, transforming the countryside into a patchwork of pink and white. 😍

When it comes to swimming, some take the plunge year-round, but with an average sea temperature of 14℃ a wetsuit is definitely recommended! 

What to wear in Mallorca in January

Even though it can be warm enough to go without a jacket during the day, it gets cold in the evening. A winter coat and warm shoes are a must! Gloves and a warm hat also won’t go amiss. And don’t forget your suncream and sunglasses – it may be winter but the days are still sunny!

January Weather Summary

Average Temperatures: Daily highs of 15.5℃ (60℉) and lows of 4.3℃ (40℉)

Average Sea Temperature: 14℃ (57℉)

Average daily sunshine hours: 5.5 hours

Average rainfall: 5 days with around 35mm (1.4inches) of rain falling over the month

Average humidity: 81%

Sunrise and sunset at the start of the month: 08:10 am – 5:36 pm 

Sunrise and sunset at the end of the month: 07:57 am – 6:08 pm

Things to Do in Mallorca in January

Shop Til’ You Drop

With many Christmas markets open until the 6th of January and winter sales starting the next day, January is a great month to do some pre- and post-Christmas shopping. Check out my Mallorca shopping guide for more details.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Home to the 90-km-long Tramuntana mountain range – awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011 – Mallorca packs a mighty punch when it comes to hiking. Beyond its mountain trails, the island also offers countless coastal and forest routes catering to all fitness levels and tastes. 

After the autumn rains, Mallorca is particularly lush and green this time of year. And towards the end of the month, you’ll get to witness the island’s 7 million almond blossom trees in full bloom. 

Fun Indoor Activities

Cold and rainy? No worries.  Here’s a list of my favourite indoor activities in Mallorca:

Sip and Paint

Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, I would definitely recommend a night at the Fun Art Club. Centrally located in Palma Old Town, The Fun Art Club offers drop-in art classes where you can try your hand at pottery making, life drawing, acrylic painting, and watercolours as you imbibe a few glasses of wine. Not only is this a great way to meet new people, it’s a fantastic way to relax in a way you probably haven’t since you were a kid. Would highly recommend!

Sample the Local Vino at Macià Batle

Come rain or shine, you can drink wine! However, unlike in Barcelona, where I can recommend several wineries (see my top 5 here), Mallorcan wineries are hit and miss. So far, I’ve visited Bodegas Bordoy, Bodega Terra IóN, Bodega Conde de Suyrot and Cellar Macià Batle. Of those four, you can give all of them a miss, with the refreshing exception of Macià Batle.

Located just a stone’s throw from Santa Maria train station, the award-winning winery offers a wine tour and tasting of 5 wines (plus ample snacks) for 24 Euros. I visited with a group of friends and we all agreed that:  a) the wines were delicious, b) we all enjoyed ourselves, and c) it was well worth the money. 

Visit Palma Cathedral

One of  Mallorca’s top landmarks, you can’t miss a visit to Palma Cathedral. Equally gorgeous inside and out, the cathedral is a must-see and a great place to escape a spot of rain! What’s more, January is the perfect time to enjoy an unhurried visit without crowds.

Visit Coves del Drach (The Drach Caves)

A complex of fantastical underground caves filled with stalagmites and stalactites and home to one of the largest underground lakes in the world, Les Coves del Drach deserves a well-earned spot on your Mallorca bucket list. I’ve written a blog post all about why the Drach Caves are definitely worth visiting, but suffice to say it’s a unique experience.

What’s more, with a year-round temperature between 17°C (62.6 ℉) and 21°C (69.8℉), it’s the perfect rainy day plan to stay warm and dry! Book your tickets on their official website to save a euro or two!

Unwind at the Spa

If all the sightseeing and wine drinking has tired you out, treat yourself to an indulgent spa day. Not only is it the perfect way to escape the cold, you can bag a serious bargain in off-season. Check out Hotel Break to find deals on spa days, massages, and short breaks.

What’s on in Mallorca in January? Key Dates and Special Events

While much of Europe is suffering the January blues, Mallorca is still in the festive spirit, with a wide array of local celebrations.

Public Holidays in Palma de Mallorca

Like December, January has its fair share of holidays allowing you to enjoy the winter festivities to the full. Make a note of these dates to avoid unexpected transportation delays or wasting time travelling to closed businesses. 

1st of January – New Year’s Day

Whether waking up with a bracing dip in the sea or sleeping in after New Year’s Eve, everyone’s grateful for a day off to ease into the new year. 

6th of January – Epiphany/Kings’ Day

A public holiday throughout Spain, the 6th of January celebrates the Magi, guided by a star, visiting baby Jesus and offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Established by the early Christian Church as the Feast of Epiphany, in the nineteenth century it evolved into the most awaited day of the year for children in Spain. Why? That’s the big day for opening Christmas presents! 

Nowadays children might get a few small presents from Santa Claus on the 24th or 25th of December, but this is a relatively new tradition in Spain. Instead, children write letters requesting gifts from The Three Wise Men, or The Three Kings – Gaspar, Melchor and Baltasar – and wake up on January 6th to a pile of presents.

20th of January – Dia de Sant Sebastià (Palma only)

As the patron saint of Palma, it’s fitting that Saint Sebastian’s Day is a local holiday. Not content with just one day of partying, the Palmesanos organize a week of fiestas for the occasion.

The Three Kings’ Parade, 5th January

Every year on the night before Epiphany, families across Spain flock to see The Three Kings Parade – an elaborate procession featuring The Three Wise Men accompanied by their helpers who collect the children’s wish lists and toss sweets into the crowds. Watch out for the hard-boiled ones – they hurt! In Palma, The Three Wise Men arrive by boat at Palma’s Moll Vell Port at 6 pm before making their way through Palma Old Town as hundreds of thousands of spectators look on. Find the route here.

Festes de Sant Antoni (Saint Anthony), 16th and 17th of January

Christmas might be over, but Mallorca’s events calendar is just heating up. While many are grappling with the winter blues, Mallorcans extend the festive season in honour of the patron saint of animals, Sant Antoni. Believed to have walked over burning embers to avoid temptation, Mallorcans around the island organise a tonne of festivities involving fire and devils to remember the saint.

Every year on January 16th, you’ll be impressed by the elaborate paper-mache figures and sculptures on display. Despite taking all year to make, they don’t last for long! After just a few hours on show, they’re set ablaze, much like Las Fallas celebrations in Valencia. You’ll also be treated to traditional dancing as the dimonis dance around the bonfires. The party then continues with late-night barbecues to cook all types of meat.

The next morning there’s a change of pace when Mallorcans take their pets to be blessed by their local priest. And we’re not just talking dogs and cats. People take their ferrets, birds, guinea pigs, and more for the annual animal blessing. Seeing the menagerie of animals lining up to be sprinkled with holy water is quite the sight, so head to Carrer Sant Miquel in front of the cloister of Sant Antoni if you’re curious to see this odd tradition. 

Whether a visitor or local, the Festes de Sant Antoni are a wonderful way to inject some warmth and festive cheer into Mallorca’s coldest month, so don’t miss out! Some of the best celebrations are said to be in the towns of Manacor, Sa Pobla and Artà, so do check them out.

Festes de Sant Antoni Manacor (4th – 17th of January): Full programme here (in Catalan).

You can find Sa Pobla‘s action-packed programme here (in Catalan), this year running from January 7th until February 2nd.

Festes de Sant Sebastià, 17th – 25th January

The Sant Antoni celebrations aren’t even over when one of Mallorca’s biggest festivals is just getting started. This year Sant Sebastià celebrations kick off on January 17th with a grand opening concert at Plaça d’Espanya from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., marking the start of a packed events calendar. Then on January 18th,  you can look forward to two tardeos with live music from 6:00 p.m. to midnight in Plaça de Cort and Plaça Major. 

But the real highlight is the Revetlla de Sant Sebastià (The Eve of Saint Sebastian) on the 19th of January. The final programme is yet to be announced but usually features live music concerts, traditional Mallorcan dancing and elaborate parades featuring a fire-breathing crocodile and a huge bonfire. After more than a week of fiestas, the merrymaking wraps up on January 25th with a big concert from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. 

With over 450,000 euros destined for 2025’s celebrations, you can expect an impressive party. Not only are the events completely free of charge for both residents and visitors, they’re pleasantly busy while not being oversubscribed like some of the summer celebrations. Keep your eyes peeled for the full programme due to be published soon!

Festa del Quarteró in Bunyola, 26th of January

Anyone for wine and herring? Several centuries ago, olive pickers would have eagerly anticipated this odd combo at the end of the olive harvest. To reward their hard work, Bunyola’s landowners treated the agricultural workers to a special lunch of herrings and vegetables, in addition to 16 litres of wine (un quarteró).

After almost falling into oblivion, the centuries-old tradition of festa del quarteró was revived around 20 years ago by S’Escola de Ball de Bunyola,  Bunyola’s dance school. Now every year on the last Sunday in January, you can take part in this traditional lunch of herring, vegetables, black olives, oranges, and sweet potatoes, washed down with wine. Organised in a different country house each year by the Bunyola Dance School, you’ll also be treated to traditional music and dancing. 

More details to be released soon. Don’t forget to bring your own plates and cutlery!

Pros and Cons of Visiting Mallorca in January

Is January a good time to visit Mallorca?

Yes! January might be Mallorca’s coldest month, but its packed events calendar full of traditional celebrations, bonfires, and music will definitely brighten up your winter. What’s more, this is a fantastic time to visit Mallorca for anyone who enjoys sightseeing without the crowds. Tranquil and green, Mallorca in January is a top choice for anyone craving mild weather, winter hiking, or just some peace and quiet.

Have you visited Mallorca in January? What did you think? Tell me about it in the comments section! 👇 Bon any nou! Happy New Year!