If you should travel to Esporles,
a pleasant town...
—Rafel Ginard (1954)—
Esporles is a dynamic, active, welcoming municipality, with a strong emphasis on quality of life at both an individual and a joint level.
The market: a meeting point with top-quality produce
Every Saturday, Esporles' weekly market is held in Passeig del Rei and Plaça del Jardinet—the main hub of the town's social life where most of its restaurants can be found. The market features fruit and vegetables, cured meats, preserves, plant seedlings, clothes and accessories. In addition to its top-quality produce, the market is also a meeting point for the townsfolk of Esporles and people from elsewhere.
Fira dolça: a scrumptious day
One of the Serra de Tramuntana's most popular fairs is held in Esporles. It is the Fira Dolça or Sweet Fair. Although it is relatively new (dating back to 2005), it has swiftly come to attract high numbers of people, given the numerous stalls. It is also one of the first fairs of the season in Mallorca because it is held on the first Sunday in October. In addition to sampling pastries and cakes from Mallorca and elsewhere, all kinds of additional activities can be engaged in, including workshops, conferences, and parades.
Local festivities: a hive of activity
Esporles: local celebrations
Esporles has celebrated its patron saint's day since medieval times on the feast day of Saint Peter (June 29th), ahead of many towns and villages in the Serra de Tramuntana. This highly popular festivity actively engages everyone, with open-air celebrations on the eve of June 29th, an al-fresco dinner, and a fascinating programme of cultural and leisure activities for everyone. The Ball de la Filadora (the spinner's dance) is one of the most moving highpoints. This takes place on Saint Peter's day in the Town Hall square, in the town centre.
The Vila Nova district has its own popular local festivities (August 15th), with a programme of activities always guaranteed to amaze, plus a big open-air dinner. Although it has been celebrated since ancient times, the tradition was revived in 1973 by a group of young people and, since then, it has been an event not to be missed on the local calendar.
The S’Ermita pilgrimage
Since the early 20th century, on the last Sunday in August, the townsfolk of Esporles go on a pilgrimage to S'Ermita hermitage (also known as Ermita de Maristel·la or S’Ermita d’Esporles). For some decades now, this pilgrimage has taken place in the month of September, finishing in a communal meal prepared by local cooks just in front of the hermitage esplanade. The day continues with popular games and dancing in a setting of celebrations and companionship.
Contesporles: the importance of words, the magic of tales
Since 2013, fantasy takes over in Esporles' streets in early May. Over fifty activities are held, where tales or stories take pride of place. In addition to listening to classic story tellers, there are routes associated with legends for adults and children to take, musical parades, exhibitions, theatre, music, bookstalls, workshops and more. In recent years, the International Story Festival has become a highpoint in Mallorcan children's literature and fantasy tales.
Madò Tronca and All Souls Night
On the evening of All Souls Night, a witch called Madò Tronca comes down from the mountains to meet up with children and explain the local traditions associated with this very special day. A few hours before, the adults and children prepare for the evening celebrations, learning to make Chinese lanterns with melons, taking part in make-up workshops and much more.
The donkeys return to the torrent!
For some years now, the Town Council takes a group of donkeys to Sant Pere torrent in the month of May to clear it of grass and thickets. In a very short space of time, it has become a genuine festivity, which children adore. The day ends with a popular dance and music by bagpipers.