Christmas spirit arrives in Palma

It is still hot enough to go to the beach, but the Palma city council has decided that it is time to introduce a little of the Christmas spirit, and has started to put up the festive lights. However, it has not announced when they will be switched on but the date has been getting earlier each year. The lights are a joint effort between the city council and local shopkeepers, who this year will be hoping for a massive Christmas spending spree to make up for the relatively poor summer and the disappointing sales. The festive season in Majorca is longer than in England, as Spanish children receive their presents not from Santa on December 25 but from the Three Kings on January 6. And if they play their cards right, then they get two sets of presents. The council also spends a lot of money on the Three Kings parade, which takes place on January 5. The Kings arrive by sea at the Paseo Sagrera and then take part in a colourful parade through the main streets of the city. And the Christmas lights are left on through January, as the city also celebrates the feast of its patron, St Sebastian, on the 20th.