Thousands of runners and spectators filled the streets of Palma on Saturday night as the sixth edition of the Binter NightRun turned the city centre into one of Mallorca’s biggest sporting events of the spring.

The popular night race returned to Palma on May 9 with illuminated routes, live music, DJs and entertainment points spread across the city, creating a festival atmosphere that continued late into the evening. Organisers described the event as one of Spain’s leading urban night races, attracting participants of all ages and abilities.

Three races brought runners through Palma’s landmarks

The event featured three different race formats designed to appeal to both experienced runners and families. The Green Family Mile, a charity-focused 1.7-kilometre route, began at the Dalt Murada esplanade beneath Palma Cathedral. The race was designed as an accessible and inclusive event encouraging participation from families and casual runners.

Later in the evening, participants took part in the 5K and 10K races through Palma’s historic centre and waterfront areas. The 5K route began near the Consolat de Mar on Passeig Sagrera, while the longer 10K race started at Bellver Castle before runners descended into the city centre under special lighting and entertainment effects. Large crowds gathered along the routes as runners passed some of Palma’s best-known landmarks including the Cathedral, the seafront promenade and the old city walls.

Music, lights and entertainment created festival atmosphere

Unlike a traditional road race, the Binter NightRun focused heavily on creating an entertainment experience for both runners and spectators. Throughout the evening, DJs, music stages and lighting installations animated the route while bars and terraces across Palma remained busy with visitors watching the race unfold. Organisers promoted the event as a combination of sport, tourism and nightlife, helping strengthen Palma’s growing reputation for large-scale urban sporting events.

Participants were encouraged to arrive early, with race bib collection taking place at El Corte Inglés Alexandre Rosselló throughout Friday and Saturday before the event.

Palma continued growing role in sports tourism

The Binter NightRun forms part of a wider race series held in several Spanish cities including Tenerife, Murcia, Zaragoza and Las Palmas. Palma’s edition has steadily expanded in recent years and is now considered one of the island’s standout sports tourism events. Earlier this year, the race was officially promoted at FITUR 2026 as part of Mallorca’s international tourism strategy.

For many runners, however, the appeal went beyond competition. The combination of illuminated streets, warm Mediterranean temperatures and a festive city atmosphere once again transformed Palma into a giant nighttime celebration of sport and community.

Palmanova transformed into a lively multicultural festival this weekend as Calvià celebrated Europe Day with live music, street performances, food stalls and family activities along the Passeig de la Mar.

The all-day event took place on Sunday, May 10, bringing together residents, tourists and local associations for one of the municipality’s most colourful community celebrations of the spring season. Organised by Calvià Town Hall, the festivities ran from 10am until 10pm and attracted families throughout the day.

International market and live entertainment filled the promenade

Visitors explored an international market stretching along the seafront promenade, while children enjoyed face painting sessions, inflatable attractions and street parades held throughout the day.

The event placed a strong focus on cultural diversity and European coexistence, with organisers highlighting the importance of solidarity and community spirit in one of Mallorca’s most international municipalities. Local associations and performers helped create a festive atmosphere designed to reflect the many cultures that form part of everyday life in Calvià.

Several parades moved through Palmanova during the celebration, while the main stage hosted a full programme of performances ranging from traditional Mallorcan dance to modern music acts.

Traditional dance and music shared the stage

The entertainment programme began in the morning with performances by a modern dance academy followed by the official opening ceremony. One of the highlights of the day was a Ball de Bot performance featuring traditional Mallorcan dancing accompanied by live music, bringing a local cultural element to the European-themed celebration.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, DJ sessions and live bands kept crowds gathered near the stage area. Organisers scheduled several festive-style performances that continued until the closing concert in the evening.

The seafront atmosphere, warm spring weather and family-friendly programme helped maintain a steady flow of visitors across the day.

Calvià continued tradition of Europe Day celebrations

Europe Day celebrations have become an established annual tradition in Calvià, where a large international population has helped shape the municipality’s identity over recent decades.

Town hall officials described the event as an opportunity to celebrate coexistence and strengthen connections between local communities and international residents living across the municipality.

Palmanova’s Passeig de la Mar once again served as the centrepiece for the festivities, with market stalls, performances and activities spread across the waterfront area until the event concluded at 10pm.

The celebration formed part of wider Europe Day events taking place across Mallorca and Spain marking European unity, cultural exchange and cooperation between member states.

Police officers from France and Germany have begun joint patrols in tourist areas of Granada alongside Spain’s National Police as part of a European cooperation programme aimed at improving cross-border policing and visitor assistance.

The deployment forms part of the Comisarías Europeas 2026 (European Police Stations) initiative, which places foreign officers in selected Spanish cities during peak tourism periods. The scheme is designed to strengthen cooperation between European police forces and improve support for international visitors.

Under the arrangement, officers remain under the coordination of Spanish authorities but work visibly in mixed patrols in areas with high tourist activity.

Programme built on cross-border policing cooperation

The initiative is based on agreements between European Union member states that allow police forces to collaborate in public-facing roles during the tourist season. In Granada, officers from France and Germany are now working alongside Spanish National Police in areas with heavy visitor traffic, including parts of the city centre and key heritage locations.

Their presence is intended to complement existing policing rather than replace it, with Spanish officers maintaining operational control and decision-making responsibilities. The scheme has previously been used in other Spanish tourist destinations, particularly during periods of increased visitor numbers.

Focus on tourist areas and public assistance

The joint patrols are concentrated in areas with high footfall from international visitors, including historic districts and main cultural attractions. Officers are equipped to assist tourists directly, particularly in situations involving language barriers or basic security concerns such as theft prevention and reporting incidents.

While Spanish remains the primary working language of local policing, the presence of French and German officers allows for more immediate communication with visitors from those countries. The initiative also aims to improve visibility in busy public spaces, where pickpocketing and minor theft can increase during peak tourist periods.

What it means for tourists in Granada

For visitors, the most immediate impact is increased accessibility to police assistance in multiple languages. Tourists from France and Germany may find it easier to report incidents or seek help directly from officers who speak their language, reducing delays in communication.

The presence of mixed patrols is also intended to provide reassurance in high-traffic areas, particularly in locations such as the Alhambra surroundings, central squares and transport hubs where international visitors are concentrated. Authorities have stated that the goal is not to change policing methods but to improve communication and support in environments where language differences can slow down responses.

Impact on foreign residents

Foreign residents in Granada may also benefit from the initiative, particularly those from participating countries. The presence of French and German officers can make it easier to report non-emergency incidents or seek clarification on procedures without relying entirely on translation services.

However, the programme is limited in scope and time-bound, meaning it does not replace permanent policing structures or create dedicated foreign police units in the city. Instead, it is designed as a supplementary measure during periods of higher tourist activity.

Part of wider European security coordination

The deployment is part of a wider EU effort to improve operational cooperation between member state police forces, particularly in regions with high cross-border travel. Spain regularly participates in similar initiatives, especially during the summer season, when tourist numbers increase significantly across major destinations.

These arrangements are intended to improve coordination between agencies, share expertise and provide additional support in public-facing roles. In practice, officers remain bound by their national regulations while operating under the host country’s command structure.

Overlook

The introduction of French and German police officers into Granada’s tourist areas reflects a continued focus on managing international tourism through coordinated European policing efforts. For tourists, the most noticeable change is likely to be increased visibility of uniformed officers capable of communicating in multiple languages, particularly in busy central areas.

For foreign residents and visitors, the initiative may improve access to immediate assistance in familiar languages, although standard Spanish policing services remain unchanged. As Granada continues to attract high levels of international tourism, particularly in heritage and cultural districts, the programme forms part of a wider strategy to maintain public safety while improving communication between police and visitors from across Europe.