Las Dalias Celebrates Family Day 2026 with Tributes to the People Behind Its History in Ibiza

November 07, 2026

Las Dalias brought together its extended community on Thursday, 5 November 2026, for its traditional Family Day, an annual gathering dedicated to thanking the artisans, market traders, musicians, employees and collaborators who have helped shape one of Ibiza's best-known cultural spaces.

Held at the venue in Sant Carles, the event marked the end of another season with a programme of remembrance, tributes, traditional ceremonies and awards recognising the market's most popular stalls.

Despite the rain, the gathering went ahead with the participation of Santa Eulària mayor Carmen Ferrer. Juan Fernando Marí, widely known as Juanito Dalias and responsible for the venue, welcomed the opportunity to bring together the people who contribute to its different spaces throughout the year.

The celebration also reflected on the history of Las Dalias, whose origins date back to 1954, when Juan Marí Juan, father of Juanito, opened a small roadside bar with a dance floor in Sant Carles. The hippy market followed in 1985 and celebrated its 41st anniversary in 2026.

Pago a la Tierra: A ceremony of gratitude to nature

The day's programme began with the traditional Pago a la Tierra, a ceremony led by María Valdivia.

Participants made offerings of flowers, wine, honey, water, seeds and vegetables as a gesture of gratitude to nature and the Earth.

Valdivia explained the meaning of the ceremony as an opportunity to give thanks for what people receive from the natural world. She also highlighted the importance of taking time to recognise that connection and express appreciation.

The ceremony included a moment of remembrance for people associated with Las Dalias who had passed away during the year, including artisans Lorrain and Jaime.

A special tribute was also paid to Juan Marí Juan, the founder of the original Las Dalias establishment, which opened in 1954.

Anne Elisabeth Windelschmidt recognised for her history with Las Dalias

One of the most emotional moments of the gathering was the tribute to Anne Elisabeth Windelschmidt, who arrived in Ibiza in 1968 and began her journey with Las Dalias in 1985, the first year of the hippy market.

Her memories offered a glimpse into an earlier period of Ibiza, when the island's creative and bohemian communities were developing and many artisans travelled abroad in search of clothing and objects to bring back and sell at local markets.

Windelschmidt recalled a very different way of life, describing a time when some homes had no running water or electricity, but the island offered a sense of freedom that she continues to remember fondly.

Despite the many changes Ibiza has experienced, she explained that Las Dalias remains an important part of her life and that she continues to visit not simply out of obligation, but because of the personal connection she feels with the community.

Lucía Marí also receives special recognition

Another special tribute was presented to Lucía Marí, Juanito's sister, who has witnessed the evolution of Las Dalias over several decades.

Her recognition reflected the contribution of the people whose personal histories are closely connected to the market and its development.

Among those attending was Mariangela Fioroni, known as Pelush, an artisan who has been associated with Las Dalias since the early years of the hippy market.

Fioroni spoke about how the market had given her the opportunity to develop her creativity and earn a living through her work. She also highlighted the importance of respecting the natural environment through everyday actions, including avoiding unnecessary water consumption and reducing personal environmental impact.

Las Dalias announces its 2026 favourite market stalls

The Family Day also included the presentation of the annual awards recognising the market stalls that received the most support from visitors during the season.

The winners were selected through visitor voting across three categories, with each award carrying a prize of €350.

The 2026 winners were:

  • Imaginative Artesano: Most beautiful stall.

  • Las Almaritas: Most original stall.

  • Aromystik: Friendliest stall.

Aromystik enjoyed a particularly memorable moment, having been among the nominees in all three categories before receiving the award for the friendliest stall.

The awards recognise the creativity, individuality and personal attention that form part of the market's character.

A family gathering built around community and shared history

Following the traditional ceremony, attendees shared a meal before the tributes and awards continued throughout the day. Music and a festive atmosphere brought the gathering to a close.

For Las Dalias, Family Day is an opportunity to recognise that its identity extends beyond its market stalls, restaurants and cultural spaces. It is also shaped by the generations of artisans, workers, musicians, families and collaborators who have contributed to its history.

From its beginnings as a small roadside establishment in 1954 to the opening of the hippy market in 1985 and its continued development over the following decades, Las Dalias has become an important part of Ibiza's cultural life.

The 2026 Family Day brought that history into focus, celebrating the people who helped build the community and those who continue to keep it alive.

POSTED BY IBIZA ONE STOP

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