Parc de Nadal and Puerto Portals: Your Guide to Palma's Two Christmas Markets This Season
On Saturday, 21 November 2026, Palma’s Christmas lights switch on and a new market opens beside the cathedral. The Parc de Nadal will bring 60 chalets, an ice rink and seasonal programming to Parc de la Mar. Three weeks later, Puerto Portals opens its own Christmas market at the marina. These are distinct events, in different settings, with different logistics. Treat them as separate outings.
Parc de Nadal is a new municipal Christmas village at the foot of La Seu. Its setting is the main event: sea air, the cathedral façade and a promenade lit for the season. The official Parc de Nadal listing describes 47 market days, 60 chalets and three attractions, with free admission to the grounds.
Puerto Portals is a marina market with a Central European Christmas style. More than 60 wooden stalls are planned, selling gifts, decorations, accessories and wooden toys, alongside food and family activities. The official Puerto Portals event page confirms the dates and an ice rink. It does not yet publish a full 2026–27 timetable or rink prices.
That distinction matters. Palma’s market works naturally with a city evening; Puerto Portals is a separate outing west of Palma. A driver between the two is straightforward, but folding both into one rushed afternoon is poor allocation of your time.
| Parc de Nadal | Puerto Portals Christmas Market | |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | 21 Nov 2026–6 Jan 2027 | 11 Dec 2026–6 Jan 2027 |
| Setting | Seafront park below Palma Cathedral | Puerto Portals marina |
| Stalls | 60 chalets; Mallorcan artisan products and food | 60+ wooden stalls; gifts, decorations, toys and food |
| Food | Gastronomy chalets | Seasonal treats; Glühwein, roasted chestnuts and sweets are traditional features |
| Activities | Natural ice rink, live stage, family treasure hunt and festive chalet experiences | Ice rink and family activities; check current details |
| Best for | Cathedral views, Palma culture and a walkable Old Town evening | Marina atmosphere, browsing and a dedicated festive outing |
The Parc de Nadal is organized by Palma’s Ajuntament with AFEDECO and PIMECO. The organizers describe six distinct elements: skating, food, local crafts, a live programme, the “Legend of the Seven Guardians” treasure hunt, and a magical chalet for Father Christmas and letters to the Three Kings.
The market runs 21 November 2026 through 6 January 2027, Three Kings Day. Published hours are 1:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, public holidays and the eves of public holidays; on other days, 3:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Grounds admission is free. Budget separately for paid attractions; the organizers have not published a complete attraction price list in the information reviewed.
Go at dusk. Mid-December sunset is around 5:25 p.m. in Palma, so arriving before then gives you daylight for the waterfront and the cathedral, followed by the illuminated market after dark. December’s long-term climate normals for Palma harbour are mild by northern-European standards: average highs around 17°C, lows near 10°C and about 150 hours of sunshine for the month. These are climate averages, not a forecast; bring a layer for the waterfront after sunset. AEMET’s Palma harbour climate data is the useful reference.
Choose a weekday evening if you want more room. Weekends and public holidays have longer published hours, but they are also the obvious choice for families and local visitors. If you want to skate, check whether timed sessions or advance booking are offered before you arrive. Do not assume walk-up availability.
Continue on foot into the Old Town. Parc de la Mar is well placed for Palma’s traditional Christmas stalls. Plaça Major is known for nativity figures, moss for betlems (nativity scenes) and decorations; La Rambla and Parc de les Estacions are also part of the seasonal circuit. These traditional stalls are separate from the new Parc de Nadal. In past years, they have generally operated around 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; confirm current schedules locally.
For a quieter cultural stop, look for nativity displays at Església de la Sang, Convent de les Caputxines or La Misericòrdia. The Three Kings parade arrives at Moll Vell on the evening of 5 January. An important date to account for if you are planning a late-season stay.
Pro Tip: Carry a small amount of cash in euros for smaller stalls, but do not assume every chalet is cash-only. For a particular craft purchase or food stop, ask before joining a queue.
Puerto Portals runs 11 December 2026 through 6 January 2027. Its wooden chalets offer a more recognizably Central European market feel, with handicrafts, seasonal decorations, wooden toys and festive food. Expect a marina backdrop rather than a cathedral square.
Daily operating hours, holiday exceptions and ice-rink prices are not yet verified for the 2026 season. Check the Puerto Portals events page before setting out, especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. If the rink offers bookable weekend slots, reserve ahead. Treat that as a check to make, not as a confirmed booking system.
The marina is also hosting the Dragon Winter Series during the season, with a round scheduled for 11–13 December. That gives the opening weekend added sailing interest, but the market and regatta are separate events; check the Puerto Portals events calendar for the latest programme.
Pro Tip: Plan Puerto Portals as its own outing: arrive with time to browse, then reserve dinner nearby. The market dates do not guarantee that every stall, attraction or restaurant keeps identical hours throughout the holiday period.
For a Palma-focused evening, start with an Old Town walk or an early dinner, then reach Parc de la Mar before dusk. Browse the market as the cathedral and waterfront lights come on, and continue on foot to Plaça Major or La Rambla if the traditional stalls are open. For the dinner reservation, choose a time that leaves enough margin for a relaxed walk rather than trying to predict exactly how long the market will take.
For Puerto Portals, make the marina the centre of the plan. We would arrange a private driver from Palma, allow time for the market and harbor, and confirm the return pickup and restaurant booking in advance. Palma and Puerto Portals are close enough to combine in theory; in practice, separating them protects the quality of both experiences.
Winter is increasingly viable for a Mallorca stay, particularly in Palma, where more hotels and restaurants remain open through the season. December is not a beach-season substitute. It is a quieter city break with festive events, good dining and a more local pace.
The difference between a smooth festive outing and a frustrating one is usually small: a confirmed opening time, a well-timed reservation, or transport arranged around the actual plan. Maison Mallorca’s Palma guide and Puerto Portals guide help you choose the right base. Our concierge and trip-planning process covers private transfers, dining and on-island coordination, alongside personally vetted Mallorca residences.
For a bespoke winter itinerary, tell us your dates and priorities through our inquiry form. We’ll handle the allocation, confirmations and logistics so you can focus on the parts worth being there for.
Tell us your dates, your group and what you'd like the island to feel like. We arrange the villa, the tables, the boats and the days in between.
Start Your Inquiry →