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On January 16^th and 17^th on Majorca and the other Balearic Islands Ibiza and Menorca, the San Antoni Festival is celebrated throughout the island. San Antonio Abad, or Saint Anthony the Great, is the patron saint of animals and also of the Balearic Islands, so of course he is celebrated there in January.

January in Majorca is a good time to spend in a cheap Majorca hotel, because with the main tourists gone and the Majorca weather much milder than in other countries, you can fully enjoy true Majorca festivals and events during your holidays.

San Antoni Abad was an Egyptian monk living around the third century. He lived as an hermit in the desert in Egypt and it is said that the devil tried to tempt him because of his ascetic life. One of these temptations or battles against the devil is said to have taken place in a cave, filled with demons who battled with San Antonio. He survived and his fight against the demons is reflected today in the Majorca traditions during this event.

During the San Antoni Festival Majorca, people dress up as devils and dance around fire, symbolizing the victory of Sant Antonio Abad over the demons in the cave. The bonfires are lit everywhere the day before Sant Anthony, on the 16^th January, and create a magical atmosphere you shouldn't miss during your Majorca holidays. Usually people traditionally also burn little devil puppets, called dimoni and wear masks. Fire is an important element for San Antoni Abad, as it acts as a remedy against the devils temptations and sins, so the bonfires are an important element during this Majorca event.

Dancing around fire and singing rather obscene and lewdly songs, but also traditional songs like the tonada de Sant Antoni, Majorca people stay up until the morning on the San Antoni Festival and enjoy a welcoming and exciting atmosphere.

So, the next day during your Majorca holidays in a hotel or apartment, you should see the beneides, or animal blessings held in many places. Saint Anthony the Great or San Antonio Abad is the patron saint of animals, like mentioned before, and on the 17^th it is not uncommon in Majorca and Ibiza to bless their animals in a church. What day could be better for that?

Majorcan people prepare dinner on the 17^th, expecting a lot of visitors on this day. The festival of San Antoni is also a perfect occasion to appreciate and enjoy the delicious Majorcan food, a cuisine known to be tasty and interesting. Dinner during this event is most times something traditional, like the espinagada, made from different vegetables found on the island and eel, a type of seafood very popular in Majorca.

You see, the San Antoni Festival Majorca is probably one of the most important festivals and events on Majorca, including Ibiza and Menorca as well, seeing that Saint Anthony is the patron saint of the Balearic Islands. If you book already now your accommodation for holidays in Majorca, like a hotel or apartment, you can be sure to take part in this festival without stress.

The San Antoni Festival Majorca is absolutely breathtaking, and also in January, the New Year's Concert in Palma de Majorca takes place. Spend Majorca holidays full of traditional events in January!