The Sant Martí festivals are the main festivities of Es Mercadal, and they are held on the third weekend of July. This year they will take place on the 18th, 19th, and 20th.
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The festivals of Mercadal and their protocols
The feast of Sant Martí (Saint Martin), the patron saint of Es Mercadal, actually falls on November 11th, which is when a solemn religious celebration is held in his honor. However, it is known that since the late 18th century, it has also been celebrated in summer, with a character that is equally solemn but more civic-religious and popular. 
This dual festivity has its origins in the ‘Sant Joanet’ festivals, which were held in summer and shared the same characteristics as other patron saint festivals. Their beginnings are surely linked to the fact that during the 18th century, most of the island’s towns held their patron saint festivals in summer, featuring “qualcades“ (processions), “corregudes” (horse races), and dances.
Perhaps that is why the members of the Sant Martí guild decided to move the festive events in honor of their patron to the summer.
The qualcada
By the beginning of the 20th century, the structure of the qualcada (procession) was already largely established as we know it today, with some variations resulting from its historical evolution.
Traditionally, the qualcada (parade) is formed by the fabioler, caixer fadrí, caixer pagès, caixer casat, capellana, and caixer batle, representing the social and economic classes of Menorcan society from past centuries. Numerous caixers (riders) also participate, all sharing a passion for the world of horses and local festivals from a very young age.
More information about the qualcada and its composition here.
Main events
The festival begins on Saturday with the ringing of bells at five in the afternoon, immediately following this on the town hall balcony, the fabioler is authorized by the mayor to begin gathering the riders, and with thefirst fabiol note(flute call) the excitement and the festival erupt. The decorated horses begin the procession, making a ‘caracol’ (spiral formation) through the main streets of the town to gather the rest of the riders in the qualcada, followed by the start of the traditional jaleoin thePlaça Constitució, where the horses jump to the rhythm of the popularmusical piece, the Saturday proceedings end with the solemncompletes.
On Sunday morning, the liturgy is repeated, but the jaleo ends with the handing out of green reeds and silver spoons to the sound of the Maniquí music, and the caixers’ mass brings an intense weekend to a close. With the final note of the fabiol, a celebration that is lived with great intensity and enthusiasm by all Mercadal residents and visitors comes to an end.
Here you will find more information about the patron saint festivals of Menorca and their protocols
2026 Festival Program
The Sant Martí festivities in Es Mercadal will be held on July 18th, 19th, and 20th. They begin with a varied program of cultural, sporting, and musical events taking place between July 2nd and July 20th. You can consult them below:
More information about the festivities
📅 Patron saint festival calendar (includes all the towns in Menorca)
👉 History and protocols of the festivities
🚌 Special bus for the festivities – Schedules and stops (Jaleo bus)
Sant Antoni festivities in Fornells
The following weekend, the Sant Antoni (Saint Anthony) festivities are held in Fornells (a small fishing village in the municipality of Es Mercadal). They share similar characteristics to the Sant Martí festivities, although the dates vary slightly. They begin on the fourth Saturday of July (which this year falls on the 25th, 26th, and 27th) and are very picturesque, as they are celebrated by the sea with the spectacular backdrop of the bay of Fornells.
Sant Nicolau festivities in Monte Toro
Over the last few decades, the Sant Nicolau (Saint Nicholas) festivities have also been celebrated in Es Mercadal. They take place after the Gracia festivities in Maó during the month of September (12th and 13th), and they are the last official patron saint festivities on the island. What makes them special is that they bring together riders from all the towns of Menorca, who display their respective town flags while leading the qualcades (horse parades). On Saturday evening, the jaleo in Es Mercadal takes place, and on Sunday morning, it is held at Monte Toro, where you can see the entire island (accessible via a free bus).
Safety tips and recommendations
Photos of the festivities
Bibliography: Menorca Municipal Guide UH.
