Mallorca in December: Weather, Christmas Markets and Mild Walking Days

Mild days and villages lit for Advent: what the weather holds in Mallorca in December, where the Christmas markets are, and which public holidays to plan around.

As the first frosts settle over northern Europe, our island grows quieter. Mallorca in December is a particularly still time of year: the beaches are empty, the villages belong once more to the people who live in them, and the light over the Serra de Tramuntana is often so clear that every ridge stands sharply against the sky. At midday you sit in the sun; by evening the towns glow with their Christmas lights. Here we explain the weather you can expect, where the Christmas markets are held, which tradition shapes Christmas Eve and how to make good use of the short days.

Mallorca in December stays mild, with highs of around 16 degrees

The most reliable guide is the climate data published by Spain's state weather agency, AEMET. It describes the long-term average for 1981 to 2010 at the weather station at Palma airport. So it is not a forecast for any particular December, but a picture of how the month feels on average.

What does that mean in practice? Over the month, 152 hours of sunshine works out at just under five hours of sun on every December day. The 48 millimetres of rain amount to 48 litres of water per square metre across the whole month, spread over around six days. On the remaining 25 or so days, there is on average no rain worth mentioning.

When packing, bear in mind that a jumper is often enough at midday in sheltered spots, while early mornings and evenings call for a warm coat. The span between a little over 5 degrees at night and a little over 16 in the afternoon is the true character of Mallorca in December. To see how December fits into the wider year, read our piece on the weather in Mallorca.

Do keep the short days in mind: according to timeanddate, the sun rises in Palma at 7:50 am on 1 December 2026 and sets at 5:25 pm. Plan excursions and walks around the middle of the day. The early evening has its own rewards: you can enjoy the golden hour without staying up late, and you will find the right places for it in our hidden spots for sunset in Mallorca.

Mallorca in December brings Christmas markets to Palma and Puerto Portals

Christmas in Mallorca has two sides: the illuminated markets in Palma and along the coast, and the quiet, very old traditions inside the island's churches. The two sit comfortably together.

Palma's Parc de Nadal brings 60 stalls beneath the cathedral

According to Palma City Council, as reported by Mallorca Confidencial, the Christmas lights will be switched on for the first time in the Parc de la Mar below the cathedral on 21 November. The new Parc de Nadal runs there from 21 November to 6 January 2027, with 60 stalls for crafts and food, as well as an ice rink. Skating at the foot of the cathedral has a charm of its own.

You will find further Christmas markets in Palma on the Plaça Major, at Ses Estacions and on La Rambla. It is best to check the exact dates shortly before your visit.

Puerto Portals hosts a Christmas market in its harbour

According to the harbour's official website, the Christmas market in Puerto Portals lights up from 11 December 2026 to 6 January 2027. More than 60 wooden stalls, hung with fairy lights and set among fir trees, offer decorations, wooden toys and gifts, along with food and drink, activities for the whole family and an ice rink. Villa Maria, incidentally, lies in Portals Nous, the same village as the harbour.

Small village markets appear on single weekends only

Many towns on Mallorca, Alaró among them, hold their own small Christmas markets, often for just a single weekend. As the dates change, it is best to check with the local council shortly beforehand. It is at these small markets that you see Christmas as families here celebrate it: among neighbours, with the scent of fresh pastries drifting from the bakeries.

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The Cant de la Sibil·la is sung on Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, 24 December, the Cant de la Sibil·la, the Song of the Sibyl, is sung during Matines in churches across Mallorca. A child sings while holding a sword aloft, accompanied by candle bearers. UNESCO has listed the chant as intangible cultural heritage since 2010.

If you are on the island over the holidays, a visit to a village church that night is well worth it. The local parish will tell you when it begins.

Mallorca in December is made for walking and old traditions

Mallorca in winter is an island for people who love the outdoors without breaking into a sweat. Cool air and clear views make the month a good time for exercise and for culture.

The Festa de l'Estendard recalls the year 1229

On 31 December, Palma celebrates the Festa de l'Estendard. It commemorates the entry of King Jaume I's troops into Palma on 31 December 1229 and is regarded as one of the oldest civic festivals in Europe. Events centre on the Plaça de Cort and the cathedral. Since 2007 the festival has been protected as intangible cultural heritage, as documented by the Spanish Ministry of Culture.

If you spend New Year on the island, you can combine a piece of island history with the celebrations. For ideas for the last evening of the year, see our piece on New Year's Eve in Mallorca.

The GR 221 crosses the Serra de Tramuntana in 8 stages

December is a fine month for walking. The Serra de Tramuntana has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape since 2011, and in the east the Península de Llevant natural park near Artà is well worth a visit.

The best-documented route is the GR 221 long-distance path, the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (Dry Stone Route). According to the Consell de Mallorca, it measures 137 kilometres over 8 stages, from La Trapa near Andratx to Port de Pollença, and is officially approved. That averages a little over 17 kilometres per stage, a full day's walking.

You can walk individual stages or shorter sections, or the entire route over several days. Plan each stage so that you arrive before sunset. If you would like the mountains on your doorstep, you will find suitable houses in the west of Mallorca and in the northwest.

Golfers, too, appreciate the mild winter days; our guide to golf courses in Mallorca offers an overview. Through our concierge we can arrange, on request and at additional cost, a guided walk near Biniaraix or a wine tour, for example.

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Mallorca in December: three public holidays and a low tourist tax

If you are visiting Mallorca in December, it helps to know these three public holidays, which according to the Government of the Balearic Islands apply on all the islands in 2026:

• 8 December: Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción)
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Boxing Day (St Stephen's Day)

In 2026, 6 December falls on a Sunday and is not an additional holiday. Some municipalities also have their own local holidays: according to the official calendar, Andratx and Esporles on 7 December and Puigpunyent on 31 December, for example. On public holidays it is wise to check the opening hours of shops, restaurants and sights in advance.

One welcome note to finish: in December, the tourist tax is charged at the low-season rate of €0.50 per person per night. For four adults staying a week, that comes to €14. We explain all the details in our piece on the tourist tax in Mallorca.

Mallorca in December: frequently asked questions

How warm is Mallorca in December?

Based on the long-term average for 1981 to 2010, highs at Palma airport reach 16.1°C and lows 5.4°C. A jumper is often enough at midday; in the evening you will want a coat.

Where are the Christmas markets in Mallorca?

In Palma, the Parc de Nadal runs in the Parc de la Mar from 21 November to 6 January 2027, with further markets on the Plaça Major, at Ses Estacions and on La Rambla. Puerto Portals holds its market from 11 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, and many villages such as Alaró have small markets on single weekends.

What is the Cant de la Sibil·la?

The Song of the Sibyl is performed on Christmas Eve during Matines in churches across Mallorca. A child sings holding a sword aloft, accompanied by candle bearers. It has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage since 2010.

Which public holidays apply in December 2026?

In the Balearic Islands, 8, 25 and 26 December are public holidays. Some municipalities have additional local holidays, such as Andratx on 7 December.

Is Mallorca good for walking in December?

Yes, the cool temperatures are pleasant for longer walks in the Serra de Tramuntana or on the Península de Llevant. With a little over 9 hours of daylight, plan shorter stages and set off in good time.

Your December in Mallorca begins with a quiet enquiry

Mallorca in December offers mild middays and a peaceful Advent in quiet villages. In a villa or finca of your own there is room for the whole family, for long dinners and for those days between Christmas and New Year when nobody has any plans. If you would rather not give up a swim in winter, you will find suitable houses in our collection of villas with a heated pool. And should you prefer to travel a little earlier, have a look at Mallorca in autumn.

Write to us with your dates and the number of guests. We know every house personally and will gladly suggest villas that suit your December: send a no-obligation villa enquiry.