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Mallorca’s largest and most emblematic fair is set to return this autumn, as Dijous Bo 2025 brings colour, flavour, and centuries of tradition back to the heart of the island. Known proudly as “the fair of all fairs”, the Great Inca Fair transforms the town every November into a vibrant celebration of Mallorcan culture, crafts, and community spirit. This year’s event will take place on Thursday November 13 2025, filling Inca’s streets, plazas and fairgrounds with food markets, livestock exhibitions, concerts and family-friendly entertainment. Each edition of Dijous Bo attracts more than 150,000 visitors from across Mallorca and the wider Balearic Islands, making it one of the region’s most significant annual gatherings. Centuries of history: From market day to Mallorca’s grand fair The origins of Dijous Bo date back to the Middle Ages, when Inca was emerging as Mallorca’s main trading and craft centre. Farmers, merchants and artisans would meet every autumn to buy and sell livestock, agricultural goods and tools. The fair became known as “Dijous Bo” – literally “Good Thursday” – the most important market day of the year. Over the centuries, that humble marketplace grew into a major social and economic event. By the nineteenth century, the Inca fair had evolved into a full-scale festival, complete with competitions, entertainment and exhibitions celebrating local industry and rural life. Today it remains one of the few traditions on the island that has survived almost unchanged in spirit, even as it has expanded in size and scope. The city of Inca, located in the island’s interior between Palma and Alcúdia, becomes almost unrecognisable during the fair. Streets that are quiet for most of the year are transformed into open-air markets and stages. Stalls overflow with handmade leather goods, local wines, cured meats and artisan produce. Livestock competitions and agricultural demonstrations keep the fair connected to its rural roots, while concerts, DJs and theatre shows bring a distinctly modern energy. Tradition meets modern Mallorca Although Dijous Bo began as an agricultural fair, it has evolved into a celebration of everything Mallorcan. Farming remains at its heart, but so too does craftsmanship, gastronomy and music. Visitors can expect to see prize livestock, traditional “black pig” showcases, and farmers competing for best produce awards. Inca’s proud reputation as the island’s leather and footwear capital also takes centre stage, with workshops and demonstrations from local artisans. Food is an essential part of the experience. Stalls serve regional favourites such as roast suckling pig, pa amb sobrassada, and frit mallorquí, while the town’s historic cellars and restaurants open their doors for long lunches accompanied by local black wines. For residents, Dijous Bo is as much about meeting friends and family as it is about shopping or sightseeing – a day to savour the island’s flavours and reconnect with its traditions. Cultural performances fill every corner of the town. Folk dancers in traditional dress perform to the sound of drums and bagpipes, while local bands and children’s groups keep the atmosphere lively well into the evening. The celebrations actually begin the night before, on Wednesday November 12, when concerts and parties spill into the streets in what locals affectionately call “the eve of Dijous Bo”. Each year, a new poster is commissioned to represent the fair. For Dijous Bo 2025, the winning design – titled “Un altre any” (Another Year) – comes from Inca-born artist and designer Pedro Agüera Llinás. Created using digital collage, the image fuses Mallorcan landscapes with abstract textures and vivid colour, symbolising the fair’s balance between tradition and modernity. At the poster’s unveiling, Mayor Virgilio Moreno said the artwork “perfectly captures what Dijous Bo represents: a celebration rooted in our history, but open to the future.” Selected from more than fifteen entries, Agüera’s design marks the official start of the fair season and sets the creative tone for this year’s festivities. The spirit of the fair: Why Dijous Bo matters For Mallorcans, Dijous Bo is far more than a date on the calendar. It’s a living expression of community identity – a day when urban and rural Mallorca come together to celebrate their shared heritage. Locals describe it as “a reunion of the island,” a moment when everyone, from farmers to artists, gathers to honour Inca’s enduring role at the heart of Mallorcan life. The fair also serves as a bridge between generations. Children learn about agricultural traditions and local crafts, while young artisans showcase contemporary design inspired by age-old techniques. Tourists and new residents are welcomed into the experience, discovering a side of Mallorca that feels worlds away from the beaches and resorts. As Thursday November 13 2025 approaches, Inca is once again preparing for its transformation. From sunrise to well past midnight, music, laughter and the aroma of roasting food will fill the air. For anyone in Mallorca this autumn, Dijous Bo 2025 is more than an event – it’s a vivid snapshot of the island’s soul, where history, creativity and community meet in one unforgettable celebration.
