Carnival - it's the taking part that counts

Carnival is one of those annual occasions for a good old party, a load of fun and for potentially winning some money.

It depends on the town hall and the category, but prizes can be up to 500 euros. But it's not really about the winning, it's the taking part that counts - or the watching for those who don't dress up or put on a costume.

La Rua (Sa Rua in Mallorquí) has an old meaning of way or street. Nowadays, the dictionary definition is specific to Carnival. This is "the parade of people in costumes and decorated vehicles that takes place at 'Carnestoltes' ", the very old word for Carnival that is still used today - it means forbidden meats in reference to Lent. 

Palma has the largest Rua (obviously), but over the weekend there are parades all over Mallorca, the greater number being on Saturday rather than Sunday.

Traffic closures

Palma's Local Police have announced that on Sunday from 4pm the concentration of floats will begin in Baró de Pinopar, bus lane of Via Alemanya and Comte Sallent.

For this reason, from 5pm the following roads will be closed to traffic:

• Pl. Reina towards Borne
• Passeig Mallorca - Jaume III
• Avinguda entrance to Passeig Mallorca
• Avingudas entrance to Via Roma

The opening to traffic will take place at approximately 10pm.

As for the car parks, the car park at Plaça Major will be closed at the exit to Las Ramblas from 3pm and the car park at Via Roma will be closed at the exit to Baró de Pinopar also from 3pm.

Bus routes affected

In Palma 

From 3pm lines A1 (Aeroport-Palma Centre), L1 (Portopí-Sindicat), L3 (Pont d'Inca - Joan Carles I), L4 (Ses Illetes-Plaça Columnes), L7 (Son Gotleu-Son Serra-La Vileta/Son Vida), L20 (Portopí-Son Espases), L25 (s'Arenal-Plaça de la Reina/Cathedral) and L35 (Aquàrium-Plaça de la Reina/Cathedral), will be partially diverted in one or both directions. In addition, line L35 will begin and end its route at Eusebi Estada, next to Sóller train station (stop 559). These lines will resume their usual routes when authorised by the Local Police, at approximately 10.30pm (approximately).

On Saturday, diversions in s'Arenal

On Saturday 10 February, due to the celebration of sa Rua in s'Arenal, line 25 (s'Arenal-Plaça de la Reina/Cathedral) will be diverted in both directions from 2:30pm until approximately 8pm.

Lines L23 (s'Arenal |Parc Aquàtic - Plaça Espanya) and A2 (Aeroport-s'Arenal) will also have partial diversions due to the celebrations, from 3pm in the s'Arenal/Palma Aquarium direction, until approximately 10pm. In the Palma direction, there will be detours from 6pm until the Local Police authorise the opening of the usual route to traffic, which is expected to be at midnight.

The direction of the detours can be consulted in the notices published on the website, the APP and social networks, as well as at the stops affected.