Menorca at Christmas: a complete guide to lights, weather and things to do

Menorca at Christmas is a peaceful, welcoming island full of its own traditions: elves who switch on Maó's lights, markets in the squares, nativity scenes around the villages and almost empty coves in the background. If you're thinking of travelling to Menorca at Christmas, this guide answers the most common questions about light switch-on dates, the climate and the best things to do during the festive season on the island.

1. When are the Christmas lights switched on in Menorca?

The best-known switch-on is in Maó, and it has a very special tradition: it's carried out by els Llumets, elves who, according to legend, live on the islet of Colom, opposite the harbour, and descend every year from the bell tower of Santa Maria church to Plaça de la Constitució. There, after a story and a street parade with the brass band, they count to three and the city's lights come on. It is a festival declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest.

The switch-on takes place on the first weekend of December, usually coinciding with the Constitution Day and Immaculate Conception holiday period (6–8 December) and the opening of the Fira de Nadal. Ciutadella and the island's other municipalities also switch on their lights around these dates, each with its own programme. As the exact dates and times are announced by each town council, check the official Christmas programme for the municipality you're planning to visit before organising your trip.

2. What's the weather like in Menorca at Christmas?

The weather in Menorca at Christmas is cool, with some days milder than you might expect on mainland Spain, as well as windy and rainy days. Daytime temperatures are around 15–16 °C, with occasional highs close to 18–19 °C, and nights drop to about 9–12 °C. The sea is around 15–17 °C, so it isn't beach weather for swimming, although the bravest may enjoy a quick dip.

December is one of the windiest months of the year in Menorca, particularly when the tramontana blows, and there are usually between 4 and 8 rainy days, generally in the form of showers. It's therefore a good idea to bring warm clothing, a windbreaker or waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes, and to have an alternative plan for days with worse weather.

3. What is there to do in Menorca at Christmas?

Christmas in Menorca is enjoyed out on the streets, in the villages and in nature without the crowds. Here are a few ideas:

• Watch Maó's Christmas light switch-on with els Llumets, one of the island's most special traditions.
• Visit Maó's Fira de Nadal, in Plaça de la Constitució and Carrer de ses Moreres, and the giant nativity scene at the Town Hall.
• Explore the Christmas markets: besides Maó's, there are markets in Ciutadella's cathedral square, Es Castell, Sant Lluís, Es Mercadal, Fornells and Es Migjorn, usually during December and the early-December holiday period.
• Follow a nativity scene trail: the exhibition of dioramas by Maó's nativity scene makers, the living nativity scene at Sant Josep school or the nativity scene at the Monastery of Santa Clara in Ciutadella.
• Attend a Christmas concert: at Maó's Teatre Principal, performed by the Conservatori, and in Ciutadella with the municipal band.
• Stroll through Ciutadella, with its old town, squares, cathedral and peaceful, traditional atmosphere.
• Visit the lighthouses and the almost empty coast, in places such as the Camí de Cavalls and the lighthouses in the north of the island, much quieter than in summer, although windy.
• Try Menorca's cuisine, from Mahón cheese to lobster stew, in the restaurants that stay open in winter.

Bear in mind that in December not all tourist services are open (some restaurants and activities close for the season) and public transport runs a reduced timetable, so travelling by car will give you much more freedom to explore the island.

4. How to get to Menorca by ferry from Spain

Christmas is a busy time, so if you want to travel by ferry to Menorca (a very practical way to take your own car, bulky luggage or Christmas presents), it's best to book in advance and check seasonal timetables. From mainland Spain, you can reach the island from two ports:

• Barcelona - Mahón ferry: the most common route from Catalonia.
• Valencia - Mahón ferry: a convenient alternative for those travelling from central and southern Spain.

At Kikoto Ferries, you can compare schedules and prices from all ferry companies serving the ports of Mahón and Ciutadella and book your return ticket in just a few minutes.

Menorca at Christmas is an authentic island, with unique traditions such as els Llumets, markets in the squares and landscapes without the crowds. If you're looking for a peaceful festive break with a village atmosphere and plenty of charm, it's one of the best options in the Balearic Islands.