- From 27th August to 7th September, Santa Ponça becomes the centre of the celebration
- This year's kings are Manuel Machado and Aleix Ríos
Calvià is preparing to experience a very special edition of the traditional Rei En Jaume Festivities from 27th August to 7th September. This year, the Rei En Jaume Festivities commemorate the 31st anniversary of their celebration and the 796th anniversary of King Jaume I landing on the Santa Ponça coast. An event that marked the history of Mallorca and which for three decades has united all the citizens of the municipality around one of its most emblematic festivals.
The programme, organised by Calvià Town Hall, is more ambitious than ever, with more than thirty activities aimed at all audiences, which successfully combine historical recreation, art, culture, music and sport. All of this takes place in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere that makes Santa Ponça the epicentre of the celebration.
Election of the Kings
On Thursday, the municipality's groups elected the Calvià residents who will play the roles of the kings during the festivities. Manuel Machado of the Berenguer de Palou group will play King Jaume I, while Aleix Ríos of the Isamaq group will take on the role of Abu Yahya. Theirs is the honour of representing them in the various events planned and facing off in a duel to decide once again whether tradition will be upheld and the Christian hosts prevail or whether the Moorish side will resist the attack.
The municipality has 24 groups - 13 Christian and 11 Moorish - totalling almost 2.000 participants, of which at least 1.300 are expected to take part in the various parades and the final battle.
Festivities with soul and roots
The mayor of Calvià, Juan Antonio Amengual, has underlined the value of these festivities as a "testimony to the brave, supportive and enterprising spirit of Calvià society", highlighting the involvement of all the people who have contributed to consolidating this event as one of the most important on the local calendar.
Amongst the most notable institutional events are the commemorative event of the 796th anniversary of the landing, with the opening speech by the artist Lolo Garner (Thursday 28th), the presentation of the documentary La història de les Festes (The history of the Festivities (Friday 29th), the XXIV Trobada de Gegants (Giants' Gathering) (Saturday 30th), the Nit de Foc (Night of Fire) (Tuesday 2nd), the dramatised landing route (Wednesday 3rd), the Moorish parade (Friday 5th), or the landing and the battle (Saturday 6th).
Music, culture and sport
The programme includes concerts by Alejandra Burgos, Fandango All Stars, Los Javaloyas, Saoko and Son mezcla’o, along with family shows, storytelling, musical theatre and open-air cinema. Humour will be provided by Madó Pereta, Rubén García and Javito Rivas.
There will also be sporting competitions such as the swimming crossing in Santa Ponça bay, the frontennis tournament, the beach volleyball tournament, Nordic walking and the prestigious Rei en Jaume Regatta, which connects Calvià with Salou.
The traditional medieval market, active from 4th to 7th September, will bring colour to the streets with crafts, gastronomy and entertainment for the whole family.
A living legacy
The Town Hall also wanted to pay tribute to the people who have made the growth of these festivities possible, with the premiere of a commemorative documentary produced by the Town Hall that reviews three decades of history and evolution of the event.
The Deputy Mayor for Culture, Manuel Mas, has encouraged all citizens to participate and enjoy the programme "as a living window to our roots and a space for intergenerational coexistence."
The programme of the festivities in Spanish, Catalan, English and German at https://www.calvia.com/es/calvia-al-dia/agenda/fiestas-rei-en-jaume-2025
