Events La Mare de Déu de Gràcia

The celebration runs from 6 to 9 September. It begins with the proclamation of the festivities from the balcony of the town hall and brings together hundreds of people in the Plaça de la Constitució. This is a relatively new tradition: the first proclamation was in 1983, and since then, it has always been by popular figures in the city, such as the baritone Lluís Sintes or representatives of the Associació de Dones Afectades de Càncer de Mama a Menorca (Association of Women Affected by Breast Cancer in Menorca). However it is also common for celebrities linked to the city, such as Joan Manuel Serrat, Mercedes Milà and Iñaki Gabilondo, to kick off the event. 

On 7 September, on the Dissabte de Gràcia, the fabioler starts the replec, an ancient tradition where the caixers who will take part in the jaleo are collected. This show, which also takes place on the 8th at noon in front of the town hall, is one of the most exciting attractions of the festivities. Stay until the end to sing Volem vi with the people from Maó, while the local authorities throw wineskins from the town hall and, at the end, let off some adrenaline with the samba dance. 

On the afternoon of the 8th, the streets of Maó are filled with cheers and excitement with the horse races in the Cós de Gràcia, a spectacular tradition. When the sun goes down, the horsemen bid farewell to the festivity with a last caragol through the old quarter and the fabioler sings the delicate melody of the festivity for the last time with the darrer toc de fabiol in front of the town hall. 

But the celebration does not end there. On the 9th, the port of Maó becomes the stage for several performances, games and fun activities for all ages. And when midnight comes, the party reaches its climax with a fireworks display that lights up the sky from the Naval Station.