Today the Consell de Formentera presented the programme of activities for the 2022-2023 Christmas holidays. The bill offers a range of activities for revellers of every stripe, and includes family productions, exhibitions, workshops, concerts and more. Returning features this season are the Christmas Market (Mercat Nadalenc) and Mini Christmas (Mininadal), a space specially designed for the little ones.

Ana Juan, president of the Consell de Formentera, seized the chance to wish islanders happy holidays. As well, she voiced her satisfaction because "after two years of festivities marked by covid constraints, at long last the festivities are back to normal and children will recover their spaces to enjoy these special celebrations".

The kick-off comes at 5.00pm on Friday 2 December, when Mininadal takes off with Tea, a part-workshop part-performance from Moskitas Muertas. The lighting of the Christmas lights will be at 6.00pm and the Mercat Nadalenc will open at 7.00pm in Plaça de la Constitució. Market booths will be open from 2 December to 6 January: six will serve food and drinks, one will focus on retail, and another will be used by non-profit associations or parents' groups from Formentera schools.

For her part, Susana Labrador, councillor of culture and education, underscored "yet another varied programme which we trust will imbue Formentera with the festive spirit". She highlighted collaboration from groups like Three Kings Association, Formentera schools "and other groups that have lent a hand, and we thank them for their participation". Labrador additionally pointed up "cultural and traditional activities for all audiences that we hope the people of Formentera can enjoy during this special season".

Children's activities

Starting at 5.00pm on Friday 2 December, Mininadal is back, opening its doors for the season with Moskitas Muertas' workshop/performance Tea. Mininadal will host various workshops and activities for children throughout the entire Christmas season.

Sunday 11 December, Formentera will welcome La màgia dels colors, a family-friendly magic show that is at once playful and educational, and which shows audiences how to identify their emotions with the help of colours. La màgia dels colors can be seen at 6.00pm, Sunday 11 December, and tickets are available on www.entradesformentera.cat.

At 5.00pm, Wednesday 14 December, Marià Villangómez Library will host a family workshop and presentation of Alessandra Rossin's book El bosque mágico.

Thursday 15 December, onlookers in Plaça de la Constitució can enjoy traditional carols courtesy of pupils at CEIP El Pilar, CEIP Mestre Lluís Andreu, CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques and IES Marc Ferrer. Afterwards, hot chocolate (suitable for gluten- and lactose-intolerant people) and sweet cakes will be served.
At 7.00pm, Saturday 17 December, in Sa Senieta festival tent, youngsters will enjoy Red Hot Chili Covers' world-class renditions of legendary group Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Diverespai
Christmas 2022 will also mark the return of Diverespai. From 27 December to 4 January, the children of Formentera will enjoy various activities and inflatables in the fitness complex at IES Marc Ferrer.

Live Nativity scene and Father Christmas
At 4.00pm, Saturday 17 December, pupils at Col.legi Virgen Milagrosa will put on a live-action representation of the Nativity scene in the Sala de Cultura (Cinema), and from 5.30pm, 21 December, local kids can visit Saint Nick at a party in Sa Senieta festival tent in Sant Francesc. At the end, hot chocolate suitable for gluten- and lactose-intolerant individuals will be served.

Casal de Joves

At 6.30pm on Wednesday 7 December and Wednesday 28 December, a Christmas film will be shown at the island's youth drop-in centre.

Friday and Saturday, 9 and 10 December, the Casal de Joves has lined up a Christmas decoration workshop for local youth. Both workshops will start at 6.3pm in the Casal.

In addition, the Formentera Office of Youth Affairs will present the royal pages' visit to local schools on 20 and 21 December.

Starting at 6.30pm on Friday 30 December, the Casal says goodbye to the year 2022.

From 6.30pm on Saturday 7 January, hot chocolate will be served at the Casal de Joves.

Cultural activities

Saturday 10 December, the Sala de Cultura (Cinema) will host Es Cubells theatre troupe's newest theatrical comedy for adults, Matrimoni per medecina. The show will start at 8.30pm and tickets are available at www.entradesformentera.cat.

Monday 12 December, artists from the island will take to "Ajuntament Vell" gallery for a Christmas classic: a collective exhibition. The display will be open Monday to Saturday from 11.00am to 2.00pm and 6.00pm to 8.00pm. The space closes on Sundays, Monday mornings and holidays. The exhibition begins at 7.00pm on Monday 12 December and runs until 6 January 2023. Featured artists are scheduled to appear at the opening.

Award for the best shop window display
As every year, the Chamber of Commerce of Eivissa and Formentera and Consell de Formentera, will encourage local businesses to get in the festive Christmas spirit with the Christmas Window Dressing Contest, a competition which turns 16 in 2022. The award for the best shop window display will be presented on Wednesday 14 December.

Traditional activities

At 4.00pm on Tuesday 20 December, food lovers can learn to make a classic of hometown holiday cuisine: Salsa de Nadal. The location of the activity is still undetermined and interested islanders should watch for a forthcoming poster for complete details about the event. Thursday 22 December will see the continuation of traditional activities like the Christmas Carols Concert at 7.00pm in Sant Francesc church. Performers hail from the School of Music and Dance of Formentera and the clarinet section of the Patronat de Música d'Eivissa.

Saturday 24 December at midnight, islanders can attend a mass with matins in the Sant Francesc church and hear traditional song (caramelles) courtesy of Esquadra Jove. Monday 26 December will two more masses with caramelles: the first, courtesy of Esquadra de ses Roques, will start at 11.00am in the church of Sant Ferran and the second, by the Esquadra Jove, at 5.00pm in the church of El Pilar de la Mola.

Evening of concerts

Music will also play a leading role in the Christmas festivities. From 10.30pm on Saturday 17 December, the cover band Red Hot Chili Covers and the renowned Catalan group Dr. Prats will perform in Sa Senieta festival tent and have revellers dancing all night with their energetic rhythms. Admission is free; space is limited.

New Year's Eve

From one o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day, Sa Senieta festival tent will feature entertainment and merrymaking with a concert to ring in 2023 with Bruixa Express, a cover band with a single goal: conquer everything from Spain's largest cities to its tiniest squares, and whip up an absolute and unprecedented party. The night will be full of dancing, revelry and above all, good music ranging from the hits of the eighties to the most current festive music.

Cavalcade of the Magi

At 5.15pm on Thursday 5 January, the Three Kings of the East will depart from Far de la Mola, stopping first at Plaça del Pilar in La Mola at 5.30pm, Plaça de l'Església in Sant Ferran at 6.3 pm and, finally, Plaça de la Constitució in Sant Francesc at 7.30pm.

The Consell de Formentera and The Three Kings are working to organise this visit. A dedicated poster will be available soon.

Collaborations
The Consell is grateful for the collaboration of Three Kings Association and Trasmapi transport company for making the 2022-2023 Christmas holidays possible.

29 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera