The Demons Dance on Mallorca – Sant Antoni in Sa Pobla

While winter elsewhere is still grey and quiet, Mallorca awakens in mid-January with one of its most fascinating festivals: Sant Antoni – the festival of demons, Dimonis, fire and tradition. Especially in Sa Pobla, in the north of the island, the village transforms every year around January 17th into a stage of flames, music, dance and ancient rituals.

Origin and meaning of the Sant Antoni festival

The festival of Sant Antoni Abat is one of the oldest folk celebrations on Mallorca. Originally, it was meant to protect animals, which are blessed on the saint’s day. Even today, many people bring their pets to the animal blessing (Beneïdes).

Sa Pobla – The heart of the demon festival

Anyone who truly wants to experience the demon festival must go to Sa Pobla. No other place celebrates Sant Antoni with such passion and intensity. When the sun sets, the devil’s dance begins: bonfires blaze, drums thunder and the Dimonis take over the streets.