How do communities in Mallorca get ready for the Trobada de Gegants celebrations?

Many visitors arrive expecting the Trobada de Gegants to be a simple parade of giant figures, but on Mallorca, the preparations are a deeply collaborative and artistic endeavour that involve entire towns. In places like Palma and Pollenca, the weeks before the event see workshops buzzing with locals restoring and repainting the impressive gegants—giants that often portray historical or folkloric characters significant to Mallorcan culture. These towering figures wear traditional costumes, carefully crafted to reflect the region’s heritage and the unique identity of each community.

Beyond fixing the giants, organising the event involves coordinating musicians, dancers, and other performers who bring the celebration to life on the streets, especially in towns such as Alcudia or Soller. Children and adults alike learn the age-old dances that accompany the giants’ march, ensuring that the traditions are passed down through generations. Meanwhile, kitchens across the island prepare local specialties like pa amb oli and sobrassada to share during the festivities, fostering a genuine sense of community.

As the day approaches, banners and decorations adorn the squares and narrow streets, many of them in the shadow of the Serra de Tramuntana’s rugged peaks. Traditional attire is worn proudly, and families gather to enjoy the spectacle together. The air fills with the sounds of bagpipes and drumbeats, creating an atmosphere of excitement and local pride that transforms these celebrations into much more than just a parade—they are a living expression of Mallorca’s cultural heart.