Crowd celebrating New Year's Eve at night on an illuminated square in the old town of Palma de Mallorca

Festivals & Events

New Year's Eve in Mallorca: Celebrations, Grapes and New Year's Day

Last checked: October 2026

Twelve chimes, twelve grapes – and then a night that takes place on the streets of Palma.

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At midnight, twelve grapes are eaten to the twelve chimes of the clock.

In brief

What can visitors expect on New Year's Eve in Mallorca?

In Mallorca, New Year's Eve is celebrated publicly mainly in Palma: at midnight, people gather on the Plaça de Cort in front of the town hall and eat twelve grapes to the twelve chimes of the clock; there are also celebrations on the Plaça de la Reina. The celebration is rather small – at the turn of the year 2025/26, according to the local press, around 500 people were on the Plaça de Cort. Restaurants offer set New Year's Eve menus, which are booked up early.

Fixed date December January

Quick Facts

When
31 December / 1 January
Where
Palma de Mallorca and across the island
Duration
Evening into the night
Admission
public celebration free, restaurant menus charged
Who it’s for
Couples, city travellers, partygoers
Highlight
Twelve grapes to the twelve chimes on the Plaça de Cort
Date rule
Fixed date: Nit de Cap d'Any on 31 December, New Year's Day on 1 January (public holiday).

Note on currency of information

This information is updated before each season, in particular the City of Palma's programme and special night bus timetables.

Location: Palma de Mallorca and across the island.

The public celebration in Palma

The meeting point is the Plaça de Cort with the town hall. At the turn of the year 2025/26 there was a stage with a DJ there, and a smaller stage stood on the Plaça de la Reina; the party went on there until about 03:00. The police closed access to the Plaça de Cort from a certain time to avoid overcrowding – if you want to get onto the square, arrive early. Experience shows that the city publishes the programme for 2026/27 shortly beforehand. There is no admission charge and no reservation.

The twelve grapes

The Spanish custom of the “doce uvas” (twelve grapes) also applies in Mallorca: one grape is eaten for each of the twelve chimes at midnight – whoever manages all twelve is said to have luck in the coming year.

Supermarkets sell small tins of twelve seedless grapes for this. That saves you removing the pips and makes the custom much easier.

New Year's Eve in a restaurant

Many restaurants and hotels offer set New Year's Eve menus (“cena de Nochevieja”), often with sparkling wine, grapes and a party afterwards. These menus are considerably more expensive than the regular menu and are booked up weeks in advance in Palma and the larger towns.

If you travel spontaneously: in winter, a large part of the coastal restaurants is closed. Restaurants in Palma are reliably open.

Getting there, night buses and taxis

EMT Palma publishes its own timetables for New Year's Eve – check in advance. Taxis are scarce after midnight; if you are staying outside the city, sort out your return journey beforehand.

In the old town, an extensive traffic and parking plan applies during the night – driving into the city centre in your own car is not a good idea.

Weather and New Year's Day

At the end of December, daytime highs average around 15 to 16 degrees, at night around 5 degrees at the airport, slightly milder in the city. For the night outdoors you need a jacket and sturdy shoes – people still celebrate outside.

1 January is a public holiday: shops stay closed and buses run to the holiday timetable. Many Mallorcans start the year with a late family meal; in the afternoon the towns are very quiet.

Tips for your visit

  • Buy grapes on the morning of 31 December – in the evening the tins are often sold out.
  • Book New Year's Eve menus weeks in advance.
  • Sort out your return journey in advance: taxis are scarce after midnight.
  • Dress warmly: the night is mild, but not summery.
  • On 1 January, expect closed shops and a holiday timetable.

Who is it worthwhile for?

Good for:

  • City travellers
  • Couples
  • Anyone who wants to experience New Year's Eve mild and outdoors

Less suitable for:

  • Anyone expecting a big firework display or a mass party
  • Travellers who depend on coastal bars and restaurants being open

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Frequently asked questions

Where do people celebrate New Year's Eve in Mallorca?

Centrally on the Plaça de Cort in Palma in front of the town hall, and also around the Plaça de la Reina and on the Borne. The holiday resorts on the coast are much quieter in winter.

What is the story behind the twelve grapes?

One grape is eaten for each of the twelve chimes at midnight. The custom is observed throughout Spain and is said to bring luck for the new year.

Do you need to book for New Year's Eve?

For restaurants yes, usually weeks in advance. The public celebration on the squares is open to all and free of charge.

How do you get back to your hotel at night?

EMT Palma publishes its own timetables for New Year's Eve. Taxis are scarce after midnight – plan your return journey in advance.

How warm is it on New Year's Eve in Mallorca?

During the day around 15 to 16 degrees on average, at night around 5 degrees at the airport, slightly milder in the city. Pack a jacket for the night outdoors.

Next steps

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Image credits: Flags on the Plaça in Sóller during the Firó: Photo Joan Gené, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons