The municipality of the Serra de Tramuntana is finalising preparations for its major summer event. The Carro Triomfal will depart at 21:30 on July 28 with Àfrica Calafat Roldán as Beateta.
Valldemossa is adorned to welcome thousands of visitors to one of Mallorca's most deeply rooted traditions. The Beata festival 2026 now has a date: Tuesday, July 28, with the departure of the Carro Triomfal as the highlight at 21:30. The girl chosen to embody Santa Catalina Thomàs is Àfrica Calafat Roldán, who will preside over the float from above.
A tradition that fills the streets with devotion and colour
The festivity, which will kick off on Friday, July 17, combines religious acts with a huge popular display. For eleven days, the town honours its patroness with music, dances, and the unmistakable sight of the carretons pulled by children dressed as payeses. The big day, however, concentrates the best of the cultural heritage of the Serra.
The Carro Triomfal will traverse the cobbled streets of the historic centre accompanied by the Montuïri Music Band, the Valldemossa Band, and the Xeremiers de sa Garriga. The procession will depart from the Town Hall and head towards the parish church of Sant Bartomeu, where a solemn mass will be held.
The selection of the Beateta is always a highly anticipated event. This year, Àfrica Calafat Roldán will be flanked by fifteen angelets who will escort her during the procession. The names of the little ones have been revealed by the council, which highlights the involvement of families in keeping the tradition alive.
Programme for July 28: from the cercavila to the Carro Triomfal
Tuesday's events will start early. At 9:00, the Montuïri Music Band will perform a cercavila to awaken the town and announce that the big day has arrived. At 10:45, the parade of the Beateta, her court of angels, the Hereva, the honourable ladies, and the authorities will depart from the Town Hall towards the parish.
In the afternoon, anticipation grows until, at 21:30, the Carro Triomfal emerges adorned. The float, pulled by volunteers, moves slowly through the crowd gathered on the sidewalks. The youngest, dressed in traditional costumes, pull the carretons while music fills the summer night.
For the residents of Valldemossa, this festival represents a generational meeting point and a shared pride. Many take the opportunity to gather family and show the younger generations the roots of the locality. The town's restaurants and bars experience their busiest night of the year, so it is advisable to book a table in advance.
Who are the stars of the 2026 edition
In addition to Àfrica Calafat, the cast of angelets includes Aarón Goñi Rodríguez, Olivia Cipriani Carulla, Román Goñi Rodríguez, Martina Marquès Català, Marc Muñoz Pons, Paula Vives Sánchez, Eduard Stefan Arseni, Teo Nistico, Teo Seijo Vicens, Rita Beriain Puentes, Kenzo Lambourne Lloyd-Cox, Clàudia Rigo Chaparro, Lluc Juan Mateu, Ona Amer Julià, and Nil Campins Pons. All have been selected by the Town Hall from among the children of the municipality.
The Beateta, dressed in the saint's habit, presides over the float from a throne of flowers. Around her, the angelets carry candles and bouquets, while the carretons —small decorated carts— are pulled by children dressed as payeses and payesas. The route, which usually lasts about two hours, ends in the church square, where rockets are launched and the hymn to Santa Catalina Thomàs is sung.
For those who want to experience the event from within, the Town Hall recommends arriving before 20:30 to secure a good spot. The streets of the centre are closed to traffic from mid-afternoon, and parking outside is the most sensible option. Public transport is also available: bus line 203 connects Palma with Valldemossa in about 40 minutes.
“It’s a magical day for the town. Seeing the children so excited and the people out in the streets is priceless,” say sources from the council.
The Beata festival is not only a tourist attraction but also strengthens the social fabric of Valldemossa. Neighbourhood associations, music bands, and ball de bot groups work hand in hand for months to ensure everything goes perfectly. And, of course, the youngest are the true kings of the day.
If the weather cooperates —and in July in Mallorca it usually does— the night of July 28 will once again be filled with lights, music, and devotion in every corner of the Serra de Tramuntana.
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