Romería de San Roque in Garachico

Every year on 16th August, Garachico celebrates its Fiesta Romería de San Roque, Garachico - it's one of the oldest and most important on Tenerife.

Romería San Roque Garachico 2016

Tenerife Fiestas in August 2017

Guanche statue in Candelaria

The 15th August is a national public holiday for Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption).

August is a month that's packed with fiestas and romerías, but the biggest event in August each year is the Peregrinación a Candelaria (pilgrimage) and fiestas in Candelaria, which take place on the 14th and 15th of August. The most popular part of the annual celebrations is the Ceremony of the discovery of the Virgin of Candelaria, which takes place in the Plaza outside the Basilica on 14th August from about 7:30pm.

August fiesta dates for your diary:

- 6th August: Fiestas Patronales in La Matanza de Acentejo.
- 7th August: Romería in honour of Ntra. Sra. de La Esperanza in La Esperanza
- 13th August: Bajada de las Hayas in honour of Ntra. Señora de La Esperanza in La Guancha.
- 15th August:  Pilgrimage to the Basílica de Nrta. Señora de La Candelaria in Candelaria
- 16th August: Romería de San Roque in Garachico.
- 17th - 25th August: Fiestas de Santa Barbara in Icod de los Vinos.
- 21st August: Fiestas of San Joaquín (Joachim) in Fasnia.
- 24th August: Fiestas of San Bartolomé in Buenavista del Norte.
 - 24th August: Fiestas of San Bartolomé in Tejina, La Laguna - Fiesta de Los Corazones de Tejina (Hearts of Tejina) .
- 26th August: Romería de San Agustín in Arafo (on the last Saturday).
- 28th - 29th August: Fiestas of María Auxiliadora in Fasnia.
- 30th August: Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) in El Tanque.

Municipal Public Holidays in August:

- 7 August: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza in El Rosario.
- 7 August: Día de El Salvador in La Matanza de Acentejo.
- 16 August: Festivity of San Roque in Garachico.
- 21 August: Fiesta Patronal de San Joaquín in Fasnia.
- 21 August: Monday of the Fiestas Patronales in La Guancha.
- 24 August: Festivity of San Bartolomé in Buenavista del Norte.
- 28 August: Festivity of San Bernardo in Arafo.
- 28 August: Festivity of San Roque y San Agustín in Vialflor. 
- 31 August: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de Buen Viaje in El Tanque.



Romería San Roque Garachico 2016

Tenerife Fiestas in July 2017

Fiestas de Carmen in Los Realejos

July is another month with no national public holidays in Tenerife, although there are the following local Municipal Public Holidays in the districts mentioned.

- 11 July: Festivity of the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz
- 25 July: Festivity of Santiago Apóstol in Santiago del Teide
- 26 July: Festivity of Santa Ana in Candelaria, Garachico and Santiago del Teide
- 31 July: Fiestas del Carmen in Los Realejos



Embarcación Virgen del Carmen Puerto de la Cruz 2016

The biggest events of July each year are the Fiestas del Carmen and none more so than the Embarkation - The Fishermen’s Fiesta - held in Puerto de la Cruz. Thousands of people gather on the fishing dock to watch the arrival of the Virgin as she is carried by fishermen onto one of the boats before setting sail on an maritime procession. You can get a pretty good idea of the scale of these fiestas from these aerial photos of the fiesta.

Tenerife’s Virgen del Carmen summer fiesta season 2017

Fiestas and Romerías taking place this month include:

- 9 July: (Second Sunday) Romería of San Benito Abad in La Laguna
- 11 July: Fiestas del Gran Poder de Dios and the Virgen del Carmen (a.k.a. July Fiestas) in Puerto de la Cruz. The Fiestas run right through from 1st - 30th July, but the big day for the Embarkation takes place this year on Tuesday, 11th July. (Always the Tuesday before the 16th.)
- 16 July: Fiestas del Carmen in Los Realejos and Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 25 July: Fiestas of Santa Ana in Candelaria
- 25 July: Fiestas of Santiago Apóstol in Los Realejos
- 25 July: Commemoration of the Battle of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz 
- 27 July: Fiestas of San Cristóbal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna



The Epic Feat of 25 July "25 July in 1797 was a key date for the history of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Island's capital city. This was the day when a major battle broke out against the troops of the British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who tried unsuccessfully to conquer Tenerife. Nowadays, this major feat is commemorated with a re-enactment of the naval battle performed by locals and actors."

Image: By Javier1989canario (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Día de San Juan in Puerto de la Cruz

The traditional bathing of the goats (not always willingly, on their part) is taking place on Saturday, 24th June 2017, at the old harbour and the decoration of the public fountains, make San Juan's day unique in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife.

Tenerife Fiestas in June 2017

Day of the carpets in La Orotava

There are no public holidays in Tenerife in June.

Local holidays in individual municipalities in June include:

- 22 June: Infraoctava (the 8th day) of Corpus Christi in La Orotava.
- 24 June: Festivity of San Juan in Los Silos and San Juan de la Rambla.
- 29 June: Festivity of San Pedro Apóstol in El Sauzal and in Güímar.

As for celebrations, rest up at the beginning of the month as it gets busy all at once:

Güímar Pyramids, Tenerife

If previous years' events are repeated, then on Wednesday, 21st June 2017, you will be able to celebrate the Summer solstice at Güímar Pyramids and observe the orientation of the pyramids with the sunset on the horizon, and the famous “double sunset”. 

Floral carpets in the making in La Orotava

The Día de alfombras (Day of the Carpets) takes place in La Orotava this year on Thursday, 22nd June 2017. This the day that the townspeople decorate the streets of the town with temporary carpets made from petals and other floral materials, which are then walked on and destroyed by the religious procession in the early evening. It is truly one of the most beautiful spectacles and there is no substitute for being there in person and experiencing the ambience and the intoxicating aroma of millions of petals and several tons of toasted pine leaves that pervades the air.

Enrame de los chorros, Puerto de la Cruz

Also on Thursday, 22nd June 2017, pop down to Puerto de la Cruz, where you can see the Enrame de los chorros, where seven old public drinking fountains are decorated with floral and vegetal adornments.

Playa Jardin

The next evening, Friday, 23rd June 2017, on Playa Jardin, Punta Brava, Puerto de la Cruz, on the Eve of San Juan, the Noche de San Juan is celebrated, which brings together pagan rituals with a free open-air festival of music and bonfires on the beach. Yes, free. In Britain you'd pay hundreds of pounds for similar in a muddy field!



The following morning, on Saturday, 24th June 2017, watch the baño de las cabras as 300+ goats get their annual, ritual bath in the waters of the old fishing port in Puerto de la Cruz.

San Juan 2016 en Puerto de la Cruz
Fiesta San Juan, Puerto de la Cruz




Then on Sunday, 25th June 2017, La Orotava celebrates the wonderfully colourful Romería de San Isidro, one of the largest of these traditional pilgrimages, celebrated in the town ever since the second half of the 17th century. 

And, finally, during the second half of June and into July, the Fiestas de San Pedro are celebrated on both the north and south of the island with various galas, music, folklore, etc. The principal areas where this fiesta is celebrated are in El Sauzal and in Güímar.

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2017

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2017

Romerías -- a kind of procession with folk dressed in traditional attire, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing - not to mention the free food and even freer flowing wine - in honour of a saint are one of the most colourful and fun ways to enjoy and immerse yourself in some Canarian culture. Many of these romerías have been celebrated for centuries, even if the "traditional" costumes are more recent inventions.

And every year there is an ample programme. Some of the below have, of course,  already passed this year (the list has only just become available), but I'm including them as it gives an indication for future years. This still doesn't include every single one in every town and village, many of which take place over the summer months, so watch out for them.

January

• 14/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Sebastián – San Sebastián de La Gomera
• 15/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Tigaiga – Los Realejos
• 15/01/2017– Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Arona Casco
• 15/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Chío – Guía de Isora
• 20/01/2017 – Eucaristía in honor of San Sebastián Mártir – Adeje
• 28/01/2017 – Romería Chica in honor of San Antonio Abad y La Virgen de la Esperanza y Baile de Magos – La Florida – La Orotava
• 29/01/2017 – 36th Romería de San Antonio Abad and Virgen de la Esperanza – La Florida – La Orotava 
• 29/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Buenavista del Norte

February

• None.

March

• 18/03/2017 - Romería de San José Barranco Hondo - CANDELARIA

April

• 30/04/2017 – Romería de San Marcos – Tegueste

May

• 01/05/2017 – Paseo Romero – Tíncer – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 02/05/2017 –  Baile de Magos – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 14/05/2017 – Romería in honor of La Virgen de Fátima – Valle San Lorenzo – Arona
• 15/05/2017 – Romería chica San Isidro Labrador – Los Realejos
• 21/05/2017 – Romería el Chorrillo – El Rosario
• 26/05/2017 – Romería La Corujera – Santa Úrsula
• 28/05/2017 – Romería San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza – Los Realejos
• 30/05/2017 – Romería in honor of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza – Las Mercedes – La Laguna

June

• 11/06/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Granadilla de Abona
• 23/06/2017 – Baile de Magos – La Orotava
• 24/06/2017 – Subida del Santo – San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza (Romería Chica) – La Orotava
• 25/06/2017 – Romería San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza – La Orotava

July

• 02/07/2017 – Romería in honor of Hermano Pedro – Llano del Moro – El Rosario
• 09/07/2017 – Romería San Benito de Abad – La Laguna
• 16/07/2017 – Embarcación de La Virgen del Carmen – Las Galletas – Arona

August

• 06/08/2017 – Romería in honor of Virgen de La Esperanza – El Rosario
• 15/08/2017 – Peregrinación to the Basílica de Ntra. Sra. De Candelaria
• 16/08/2017 – Romería in honor of San Roque – Garachico
• 20/08/2017 – Romería Barquera in honor of San Casiano – Las Galletas – Arona
• 24/08/2017 – Corazones de Tejina – Tejina
• 26/08/2017 – Romería in honor of San Agustín y posterior Baile de Magos – Arafo

September

• 07/08/2017 - Romería de la Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro in Güímar
• Romería Benijos – LA OROTAVA
• Romeria de San José - SAN JUAN DE LA RAMBLA

October

• 15/10/2017 Romería de Adeje

Facebook group, Ropa de Magos - Traje típico Canario have a comprehensive CALENDARIO de ROMERÍAS y BAILES de MAGOS 2017 en Tenerife, which also includes the various Bailes de Magos. These dances are often strictly typical costume only.

Guía de Romerías 2017

Tenerife Fiestas in May 2017

Flag of the Canary Islands

The month of May in Tenerife, as in Britain, starts and ends with a pair of public holidays.

In Spain, including Tenerife and the Canary Islands, Monday, 1st May 2017, is Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day). At the end of the month, on Tuesday, 30th May 2017, the archipelago celebrates Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), which is the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands' Parliament after the return of democracy in Spain.

May 3rd, Día de la Cruz (Festival of the Crosses) is a municipal public holiday in Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife - in the case of the last for both the Exhaltation of the Holy Cross and Commemoration of the Founding of the City. On May 3rd, 1494, there was a ceremony on the beach of the city, where Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the military governor, erected a wooden cross to officially found the city.



In the capital, as well as in Güímar and other towns, people decorate crosses with flowers and fruits, then place them on the ramblas of the city for everyone's enjoyment. In addition, each district of Santa Cruz (which also celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the city) makes or decorates its own crosses.

The municipality of Los Realejos celebrates the Day of the Cross with a spectacular display of fireworks, one of the most outstanding in Europe and declared of National Tourist Interest. The two main streets of the town, the streets of El Medio and Del Sol, rival for more than three hours to offer the best pyrotechnic show.

Los Realejos fireworks 2015 May

May 5th marks the anniversary, in Garachico, of the eruption which had destroyed the town's port in 1706.

In Spain, Día de la Madre (Mother's Day) has been celebrated on the first Sunday in May, since 1965 (previously, it had been celebrated on 8th December, the day of the Immaculate Conception). This year, Mother's Day in Spain falls on Sunday, 7th May 2017.

Photo: er Guiri Some rights reserved

Traditional Fiestas in La Orotava

Corpus Christi Sand Carpet in La Orotava

La Orotava stretches from the north coast to the mountainous interior, and includes the summit of the Teide volcano. Here are the biggest events in the district:

17th January - Fiestas and Romería de San Antonio Abad in La Florida
February/March - Carnival
March/April - Holy Week
June - Corpus Christi - Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets)
June - Romería de San Isidro
29th - 30th November - San Andrés

Procesión del Corpus Christi de La Orotava

Fiestas Orotava

Traditional Fiestas in La Matanza de Acentejo

San Salvador, La Matanza de Acentejo

The name La Matanza de Acentejo, near the north coast of Tenerife, means "the Slaughter of Acentejo" and refers to the First Battle of Acentejo, in 1494, lost by the Spanish.

Traditional fiestas celebrated in this district include: 

San Antonio Abad: 17th January
San Blas: 1st April in Chamaina
La Cruz: 3rd May
“Los Cuarteles”: the week after Corpus.
Nuestra Señora del Socorro: last Sunday of July in San Antonio
Fiestas Patronales en honor de El Salvador y Nuestra Señora del Rosario: 6th August
La Virgen del Carmen: last Sunday of August in El  Caletón
Nuestra Señora de Guía: 8th September

Image: By Koppchen (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Tenerife Fiestas in April 2017

Easter Week in Los Realejos - Franciscan Brotherhood of the Nazarene

The biggest events in April 2017 are those relating to Easter. 

Celebrations begin on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), 9th April 2017, when there will be processions in many towns and villages and you can often observe a little flurry of pruning of palm trees and Spring cleaning in the run up. These parades have been described as "happy and less crowded celebrations" than those later on in the week.

Thursday, 13th April 2017 (Jueves Santo/Maundy Thursday) and Friday, 14th April 2017 (Viernes Santo/Good Friday) are public holidays this month, while it must be remembered that Easter Monday is not a holiday in Spain and the Canary Islands.

The main events that may be of interest take place on Viernes Santo (Good Friday) with the various processions of Semana Santa de La Laguna and the Representación de la Pasión (Passion Play) or Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross or the Way of the Cross) in Adeje.

Representación de la Pasión Adeje 2016

Also very much worth seeing are the floral displays of the Pascua Florida, the unique and increasingly famous Easter floral festival, in the oldest central part of Guía de Isora town between Maundy Thursday, 13th April, and Easter Sunday, 16th April.

There are more details on these events in the Tenerife’s Easter Programmes from last year and our feature that includes the Easter Week Dates until half way through the century!

On Monday, 24th April 2017, Vilaflor celebrates the Festivity of Hermano Pedro (Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur) who was born in the town in 1626, became a missionary in Guatemala and was canonised as the "first Canarian and Guatemalan saint" in 2002.

Tuesday, 25th April 2017 the towns of Icod de los Vinos and Tegueste celebrate the Festivity of San Marcos Evangelista (St. Mark the Evangelist). (These last two dates are Municipal Public Holidays in the the districts mentioned.)

On Sunday, 30th April 2017, Tegueste celebrates its Romería de San Marcos, part of the XLIX Fiestas y Romería de San Marcos 2017 in honour of town patron, San Marcos Evangelista. This traditional fiesta opens the romeria season that carries of through the spring and summer and draws one of the biggest crowds in the Canary Islands.  This year a total of 24 carts will accompany the four ships, drawn by oxen, that represent the streets of Pedro Alvarez, Tegueste, San Luis and El Socorro. Also taking place is the Floral Dance, the symbol of the traditions of the town. There will be herds of animals, folk groups, thousands of people in traditional dress, and lots of food and flowing wine.

Image: By Franciscana Cofradía del Nazareno [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons