Sant Miquel de Balansat celebrated its patron saint on Tuesday, September 29, with an afternoon and evening of traditional festivities centred around the village church, combining solemn religious ceremonies, ball pagès, local food, live music and a spectacular correfoc.

The celebration formed part of the wider Festes de Sant Miquel 2026 programme organised by the Sant Joan de Labritja Town Hall and the Sant Miquel Festivities Committee, which continues through October 18.

A traditional celebration at the church

The main day began with the traditional ringing of the church bells at 09:00 before the main celebrations moved to the afternoon.

At 18:00, a solemn Mass was held at the church of Sant Miquel, followed by the traditional procession through the village.

The Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Ibiza and Formentera, Vicent Ribas. The event was also attended by Consell d'Eivissa president Vicent Marí and Sant Joan mayor Tania Marí.

The religious celebration remains one of the central traditions of the annual festivities, held in honour of Sant Miquel Arcàngel, patron saint of the village and parish.

Ball pagès and orelletes

Following the procession, the Colla de Balansat performed ball pagès at around 19:00 in the area outside the church.

Traditional music from the flute, drum and castanets accompanied the dancers in traditional dress, while visitors and local residents gathered around the church square.

The celebration also featured one of the island's familiar festive treats, orelletes, which were shared during the festivities.

Music continued into the evening

The programme then moved from traditional music and dance to live rock.

At 20:30, Groove Garaje performed a selection of rock classics, extending the celebrations into the evening.

The change from the traditional afternoon programme to live music gave the patron saint's day a longer evening format than in previous years.

Fire brought the celebrations to a close

The final major event of the evening was the correfoc, performed by the dimonis i bruixes group Es Mals Esperits.

The fire run began at approximately 22:45, bringing fire, sparks and pyrotechnics to the village as the patron saint celebrations came to an end.

The published programme had originally listed the correfoc for 22:30, while the post-event account records the activity beginning at 22:45.

The celebrations continue through October

The patron saint's day is only one part of the extended Festes de Sant Miquel 2026 programme.

Activities continue into October, including the III Festival Balansat Balla on Saturday, October 3, featuring traditional dance groups, followed by a programme dedicated to older residents on Sunday, October 4.

The festivities continue with cultural, sporting, family and community activities before concluding on Sunday, October 18 with events connected to the presentation of the Penya Independent 2026/27 teams and a regional football match.

The 2026 celebrations once again brought together religious tradition, ball pagès, local gastronomy, music and fire, maintaining the community character of Sant Miquel's annual patron saint festivities.