Ibiza Festivals

Ibiza has many cultural legacies from its historic global settlers. The Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, pirates, hippies, clubbers and modern day millionaires have all left their mark on our beautiful island. What connects them all is the undying spirit of Ibiza – a special feeling of freedom, love and happiness that celebrates our diversity. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the array of festivals that see the island turn out in force. Some of these are open to the public for free or with a small donation, while others are more private and need to be booked in advance.
 
Here is our pick of the best for 2016:
 
FESTIVALS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC :
 
MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL:  5 - 9 May
One of my favourite festivals turns back the clock to the Middle Ages when knights in shining armour ate hog roasts for supper and fought dragons after breakfast. Actors re-enact battles on the ramparts and snake charmers work their magic; crafts are demonstrated in the Vara de Rey, and a host of medieval market stalls tempt you with delicacies. The atmosphere within the old town walls is lively and fun – packed with acrobats, jugglers, witches and wenches. The opening ceremonies are at Reina Sofia Park on Thursday 5 May, at 18:00, and they include a medieval tournament at 21:30.
 
HEALING IBIZA:  Sunday 8 May
This multi-sensory festival of healing, music and performance is being hosted at Agroturismo Atzaró. This year it is under new management, and their goal is to inspire your imagination to envision the world you want to create. It runs for 12 hours with 12 interactive zones to explore, like the Family Creative and the Imagination Zones, with lots of activities to get your creative energy flowing. Enjoy body and soul treatments in the Healing Garden, or drop in on some group sessions at the Immersive Healing Zone and Market. It opens at 11:00 with an opening ceremony at 12:00. The closing ceremony is at 20:00 and the headliners play until 23:00. Entry is by donation to support local charities.
www.healingibiza.com • Facebook: Healing Ibiza
SAN CARLOS MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘AI CARAI’:  19 June
Head to the so called sleepy village of San Carlos to see it teeming with life, laughter and music, celebrating the International Music Festival. Several outdoor stages and the streets themselves provide the space for 150 artists from around the world to showcase their talents at this free outdoor extravaganza. Live and electronic sounds from every genre you can imagine start in the afternoon and go into the night. Expect a relaxed yet lively family vibe, with fun for the kids including workshops, storytelling and clowns. It’s one of the north’s must-do festivals packed with brilliant performance art, visual projections, arts, crafts and local products. www.sancarlosmusicfestival.com
 
SANT JOAN FIESTA:  23 and 24 June
The beginning of summer is celebrated at the Sant Joan Fiesta, as the sun takes a rest from its travels across our skies, and we enjoy the longest days of the year. Fireworks and bonfires mark 23 June, and the next day is the Patron Saint’s day of Sant Joan. By nightfall it’s time to jump over bonfires, chase away evil spirits and welcome summer! Sant Joan itself is always packed with happy revellers, and other bonfires spring up all over the island. Dance, drink wine, enjoy traditional folk dancing and live music... you can even get stuck into the macaroons contest if you fancy your skills in the kitchen.
IBIZA SPIRIT FESTIVAL:  Sunday 2 October
The Ibiza Spirit Festival at beautiful Atzaró celebrates the people of Ibiza coming together in the spirit of Love to create a day of inspiration and celebration. Open your heart to new ways of thinking and being while enjoying a wonderful variety of activities including creative dance, yoga, Tantra, alternative therapies, meditations, workshops and singing circles. Of course there will be great music all day and night plus delicious food & drink, and a magical children’s area. The vision of the Ibiza Spirit Festival is to create a day of joyous celebration that generates the energy for positive transformation in ourselves and in the world. Entrance is by donation with all proceeds supporting this event and other good causes here on Ibiza.
www.ibiza-spirit.com  •  Facebook: Ibiza Spirit Festival
 
 
FESTIVALS THAT NEED BOOKING :
 
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL:  14 - 15 Oct
This global online and interactive music video festival discovers fresh new talent in all areas from camerawork to hair, make-up, costumes and editing. Why music videos? Because that’s where new faces start out. With over 600 entries and 11 categories, the focus is on education with interactive events and workshops including the brilliant ‘make a video in a day’ contest for 14-18 year olds. New for 2016 is a competition for documentaries and short film driven by music, plus a bi-monthly film club for the kids. This year’s event takes place at Can Jeroni in Sant Josep. For more info and to book tickets online:   
www.ibizamusicvideofestival.com • Facebook: Ibiza MVF
IBIZA TANTRA FESTIVAL:  22 - 27 October
The third edition of this event invites you to discover the essence of Tantra through a wide range of classes and workshops run by internationally renowned teachers of sacred sexuality, dance and music. Tantra is about awakening through sexuality to promote transformation and healing. Create a deep connection with yourself, your partner and others through morning and afternoon workshops and active meditations. Let your hair down at night with ecstatic dance sessions to free the mind, body and soul with live music from amazing musicians.
www.ibizatantrafestival.com • Facebook: Ibiza Tantra Festival
ENERGY WEEK IBIZA:  22 - 28 October
Energy Week Ibiza offers a whole week of activities that raise your vibration and enliven every aspect of your being. Accommodation is at the lush Sa Talaia agroturismo for those flying in, but events take place throughout the island and are open to all. Choose from a range of passes to dip in and out of the workshops that you resonate with – or simply do it all with a week pass, or a ‘week pass plus’ that includes organic eats and drinks. You can also opt for a yoga pass, day pass or even single passes to try workshops, walks, exercise, boat trips, nutritional talks, singing circles, sunset ceremonies and more.
www.energyweekibiza.com •  Facebook: Energy Week Ibiza