{"product_id":"ibiza-private-party-sparks-outrage-over-199-public-land-fee-and-artificial-lake-during-drought-alert","title":"Ibiza Private Party Sparks Outrage Over €199 Public Land Fee and Artificial Lake During Drought Alert","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eA lavish private party held at Sa Pedrera de Can Coix in Sant Antoni has become one of Ibiza's most controversial events of the summer, after details emerged about its scale, the use of municipal land and an artificial lake built while the island remains under a pre-drought alert.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe event, held on August 13, brought together more than 300 guests for an elaborate Ancient Egyptian-themed celebration featuring a large pyramid, temple, sphinx, obelisks, video mapping and an artificial lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe event was organised by New York-based luxury events company Van Wyck \u0026amp; Van Wyck and had municipal authorisation for up to 350 guests, with the permitted event running from 6pm until 3am.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what was intended as an exclusive private celebration has since triggered criticism from politicians, residents and environmental groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Three-Week Transformation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreparations at Sa Pedrera de Can Coix began on July 26 and continued for more than two weeks before the event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe former quarry was transformed into an elaborate Egyptian-inspired setting, with monumental structures, lighting towers, sound systems, video projections and a large artificial lake forming part of the production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe site was occupied throughout the preparation, event and dismantling periods, meaning the municipal land was effectively in use for around three weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe event was promoted online through social media under an Ancient Egyptian theme, with references to pyramids, Cleopatra and the August solar eclipse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy the €199 Fee Became Controversial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the biggest points of criticism has been the amount paid in municipal activity fees for the use of the public site.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to information provided by Sant Antoni Town Hall to Diario de Ibiza, the organisers paid €199 in municipal activity fees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe council explained that Sant Antoni does not have a specific tax ordinance establishing fees for the occupation of this type of public space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe municipality also pointed to what it described as a strong charitable element connected to the event. The organisers planned donations of €40,000 to Cáritas Sant Antoni and €10,000 to Motoclub Formentera and Eivissa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite this, the reported €199 municipal fee has become a major focus of the controversy, particularly given the scale and apparent luxury of the production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePolitical Criticism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sant Antoni branch of the PSOE has criticised the municipal government's handling of the event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe party accused Mayor Marcos Serra of prioritising private events and questioned why a large-scale luxury celebration was permitted to use municipal land for what it described as an insignificant fee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe controversy has also been linked politically to the authorisation of another event in s'Arenal during the August 12 solar eclipse, when significant visitor numbers and traffic were expected in the municipality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResidents Raise Concerns\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResidents living near Can Coix also raised concerns about the preparations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy trucks and other vehicles were reportedly moving around the area during the construction and dismantling phases, creating disruption around nearby facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were also concerns about generators and butane gas cylinders reportedly being present near an area classified as having high wildfire risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe concerns came during one of the most sensitive periods of the summer for fire prevention in Ibiza.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artificial Lake Becomes the Biggest Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most controversial element, however, may have been the artificial lake created for the party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to Diario de Ibiza, the temporary lake covered approximately 850 square metres and was around 20 centimetres deep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on those dimensions, the newspaper calculated that filling the lake would require at least 170 tonnes of water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe organisers later stated that the amount of water used was approximately 60 tonnes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe discrepancy between the two figures has become part of the debate, but the controversy goes beyond the exact quantity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIbiza and Sant Antoni were under a pre-drought alert at the time, making the decision to construct a large ornamental body of water particularly sensitive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSant Antoni Distances Itself From the Lake\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the backlash, Sant Antoni Town Hall publicly distanced itself from the artificial lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe council said it had not been aware that the feature would be installed and described its construction as difficult to justify while the municipality was operating under drought restrictions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe municipality has itself been promoting responsible water consumption during the drought alert, including measures encouraging residents to reduce unnecessary water use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe council subsequently expressed its categorical opposition to the construction of the ornamental pool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIbiza's Water Pressure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe controversy comes at a time when water remains one of Ibiza's most sensitive environmental issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe island experiences significant pressure on its water resources during the summer, when tourism dramatically increases demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes the contrast particularly striking: while authorities encourage residents and businesses to conserve water, an elaborate private event created a temporary artificial lake as part of its production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor critics, the issue is therefore not simply how much water was used, but what the use represents during a period when Ibiza is being asked to conserve a limited resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Party \"Fit for a Pharaoh\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImages and videos from the event show the scale of the production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe former quarry was transformed with Egyptian-inspired architecture, large-scale projections, dramatic lighting and the reflective artificial lake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe organisers described the event as a party \"fit for a pharaoh\", creating a spectacular private experience for invited guests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe contrast between the extraordinary production and the surrounding environmental and political concerns has helped turn the event into one of the most discussed private parties of Ibiza's 2026 summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Happens Next?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe controversy has raised wider questions about how private luxury events should use public spaces in Ibiza, particularly when those events involve substantial infrastructure, extended occupation of municipal land or significant resource consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also highlights the tension facing the island as it balances its growing luxury-event economy with environmental pressures including drought, wildfire risk and water scarcity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Sant Antoni, the debate now extends beyond one party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt raises questions about how public land is valued, how private events are regulated and what limits should apply when luxury productions take place during periods of environmental stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe party may have lasted only one night, but the debate surrounding it is likely to continue well beyond the event itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSource: Diario de Ibiza\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ibiza One Stop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54393256116567,"sku":null,"price":1.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0830\/5567\/3687\/files\/IbizaPrivatePartySparksOutrageOver_199PublicLandFeeandArtificialLakeDuringDroughtAlert.jpg?v=1787242731","url":"https:\/\/ibizaonestop.com\/it\/products\/ibiza-private-party-sparks-outrage-over-199-public-land-fee-and-artificial-lake-during-drought-alert","provider":"Ibiza One Stop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}