In recent years, the Balearic capital of Palma has been consolidating itself as a top destination for a cultural city break. With its captivating blend of history, architecture and artistic heritage, the cosmopolitan Mallorcan city offers the perfect urban escape for travellers seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Mediterranean culture in 2025. From traditional festivals to new art exhibitions and live performances, Palma is the place to be in 2025.

In a presentation at World Travel Market in London on 5th November 2024, Fernando Gomez de la Cuesta, General Director of Tourism and Culture at Palma City Council, outlined how the city’s cultural renaissance is reshaping travel to Palma, as visitors seek out the city’s artistic experiences, adding a new dimension to its appeal as a tourist destination.

‘We aspire for Palma to be a premier stage for art and culture, for contemporary creation, and for history, tradition, gastronomy, architecture, music, theatre, and dance — not just nationally, but also internationally’ said Gomez de la Cuesta, who announced that Palma will be a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2031. ‘Our commitment is steadfast:  culture, world-class culture, culture for everyone. Culture that is attractive, interesting, and intellectually stimulating — transformative, evocative, and capable of fostering a community that brings together both our citizens and visitors.’

ART

A growing creative scene is attracting both local and international artists, transforming Palma into a destination for contemporary art and cultural exchange. 2025 will see the city welcome artist Peter Halley, in collaboration with Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, as well as National Prize winner and Turner Prize finalist Ángela de la Cruz. Both will bring first-rate art to Palma’s most iconic municipal venue, the Casal Solleric.

The CaixaForum, a space displaying multi-disciplinary exhibitions, has also announced an exciting schedule for 2025. From 9 April to 31 August, the ‘Comics. Dreams and History’ exhibition will run, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of comics, uncovering stories about parallel realities, utopias, and dystopias. From 3 July and throughout August, the ‘Two Visions of Modernity’ exhibition from Zuloaga and Anglada-Camarasa will then run, exploring the life and work of artists Ignacio Zuloaga and Hermen Anglada-Camarasa.

Summer will also see the return of Art Palma Summer, organised by the city’s notable association of art galleries, Art Palma, and come September, the annual Nit de l’Art (Art Night) will return to Palma, transforming the city into an open-air gallery. This free event sees exhibition spaces remain open all evening, offering a series of activations and street performances for visitors to enjoy.

 

MUSIC

Palma is set to host numerous live music events in venues across the city next year, with a varied offering for fans of both contemporary and classical music. February will see the Dido and Aeneas opera playing out in the Teatre Principal, telling the story of Trojan hero Aeneas and his love affair with the recently widowed Queen Dido.

For visitors who prefer something more contemporary, the ground-breaking Film Symphony Orchestra, comprising of over 70 musicians, will play songs from blockbusters such as ‘La La Land’ and ‘Jaws’ at Palma Auditorium in March. During August, the culturally enriching Palma Jazz Festival will return for another annual edition, held in the remarkable setting of Bellver Castle – the oldest circular castle in Europe.

 

CULTURAL FESTIVALS

In addition to the programming at its theatres and music venues, plus the film and dance festivals it supports, Palma encourages travellers to get involved in its local cultural festivals year-round.

20 January marks the much awaited Saint Sebastian festival in celebration of the city’s Patron Saint. During the community event, locals light bonfires in the streets and gather around to barbeque meals together. Meanwhile, a spectacle of performances including giant costumed heads and a dragon running through the streets unfolds. The next day, a unique tradition sees pets are paraded down Carrer Sant Miquel to be blessed in front of the cloister of Sant Antoni.

Another unmissable festival is the Nit de Foc, celebrating the eve of Sant Joan on 23 June. This festival also sees the city come to life with bonfires being lit up and down the streets, with ‘demons’ parading through the crowds on the summer solstice.