Every year, on the 23rd of April, Sant Jordi’s Day (Saint George’s Day) is celebrated, coinciding with World Book Day and the Festival of the Roses, both being symbols of culture and love. This date is of great importance in Mallorca’s popular culture, and since the 15th century, the custom of giving a red rose symbolising the blood spilt by the dragon to the loved one has been deeply rooted. The custom of giving a book as a gift was added as part of World Book Day celebration in the 30s.
SANT JORDI'S LEGEND
The Sant Jordi’s Legend as we know it dates back to the 12th century, when a Franciscan friar wrote the “Leyenda Aria”. According to this story, Sant Jordi killed the dragon with his lance to protect the maiden Cleodolinda from the dragon’s bite, and that a rosebush grew from the dragon’s spilled blood.
This legend is taught in schools and told in books and cartoons, keeping it alive. According to the legend, a dragon terrorised a medieval village, forcing them to offer one of the villagers in sacrifice when they ran out of lambs to feed it. One time the princess was chosen, but just as she was about to be sacrificed, a knight named Sant Jordi came out to save her slaying the dragon. The dragon’s blood gave rise to a rose bush, and according to the legend Sant Jordi offered one of the roses to the princess as a gift, and that’s where the tradition of giving roses on the 23rd of April comes from.
WORLD BOOK DAY
In 1995, UNESCO’s General Conference promoted World Book Day to pay tribute to the love for literature and to encourage people to read more. This date was chosen due to its symbolism, since it marked the deaths of two of the world’s best-known writers: William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. Although their deaths are dated differently in modern calendar, they did coincide in the Gregorian and Julian calendars.
TRADITION
The tradition of giving roses to women and books to men has been kept over time. Roses symbolise the lovers’ fidelity and passion, meanwhile books represent knowledge and culture. The custom is believed to have its origins in the Middle Ages, when knights gave the roses they received in tournaments to their beloved ones.
Furthermore, in 1929, the “Gremi de Llibreters de Barcelona” decided to promote the sale of books on the 23rd of April, framing it as Sant Jordi’s Day due to its literary relevance and the legends surrounding it.
In Palma and all over Mallorca, you can find activities such as Sant Jordi’s legend storytelling, workshops, and new and used book fairs. We also encourage you to explore the events organised by town halls and neighbourhoods, where interesting activities are bound to be found. You can find a list of the different activities organised in Sant Jordi’s Day in Mallorca below:
LIST OF FAIRS ORGANISED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF MALLORCA
For many municipalities in Mallorca, official programs for Sant Jordi 2026 have not yet been published, so the links I provide are from previous editions (2025), but they serve to show how the celebration is usually organized and what to expect.
- PALMA: In Palma you will see outdoor book stalls and roses on **23 April 2026** for Sant Jordi — with bookshops in places like La Rambla, Passeig del Born, Via Roma, Sant Miquel and Plaça Major, plus signings and cultural activities in the streets and libraries **(Info 2026 — confirmed tradition and date)**. Check a recent example of how the programme looked here (2025): Bookstalls & Activities Palma 2025.
- FAN MALLORCA: The Fan Mallorca Shopping centre traditionally hosts charity book-related events around Sant Jordi, but the **2026 edition has not been officially published yet** (no 2026 programme available).
- ALCÚDIA: Alcúdia’s Town Hall regularly organises cultural and literary activities around Sant Jordi in April, including book sales and storytelling, but the **official 2026 schedule has not yet been published**.
- BINISSALEM: Binissalem usually fills with community cultural events in April related to Sant Jordi/book celebrations, yet **no 2026 programme is currently available online**.
- CAMPANET: In past editions Campanet hosted a Sant Jordi book market at Plaça Major and story sessions in the public library. **The official 2026 details are not available yet**. ❓
- CAPDEPERA: Capdepera has arranged full days of book and cultural activities in previous years, but **no specific 2026 programme is published yet**.
- COLÒNIA DE SANT JORDI: The town commonly offers exhibitions, gymkhanas and local events in April around Sant Jordi time, though **2026 listings are not yet available**.
- INCA: Inca has hosted a *Festa del Llibre* with bookshop stalls and street markets on Sant Jordi (23 April), again reflecting a tradition likely to repeat — **the 2026 programme is not yet published**, but the annual pattern continues (example from past editions). ❓
- MANACOR: The municipality traditionally fills with cultural and literary activities for Book Week in April, including presentations and storytelling — **2026 details are not yet available**.
- POLLENÇA: From mid-April to late April in previous years, Pollença offered a series of Sant Jordi-related activities like readings, workshops and contests, though **the 2026 schedule is not yet published**.
- SA POBLA: In past editions Sa Pobla had book presentations, stalls, children’s activities and music around Sant Jordi. **No official 2026 programme is available yet**.
- SELVA: Previous Sant Jordi celebrations included library storytelling sessions around 22–23 April, but **2026 event info hasn’t been published yet**.
- SENCELLES: In years past, Sencelles hosted various book-linked activities in the local square and library for Sant Jordi — **no official 2026 programme is yet available online**.
Come and live the authentic book fair experience in Mallorca. With Ideal Property Mallorca you will find your ideal accommodation for a great holiday.