Public Holiday for the Feast of Candlemas

Basilica of Candelaria

Monday, 2nd February is a Public Holiday in Tenerife, which is for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin or Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, better known as Candlemas. The Patron of the Canary Islands, the Virgin of Candelaria or Virgen de Candelaria or Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, is housed in the Basilica of Candelaria (pictured) in the town of Candelaria. Candelaria translates to Candlemas.

Almond Flower Walk, 7th February 2015

Almendras en flor

It's that wonderful time of year  when the natural world begins to reawaken from it's winter slumbers (which in Tenerife seems like only a short nap) and blossoms begin appearing once more on the trees. This also means it's time for the famous, annual Almond Flower Walk in Santiago del Teide. This year's XVIII RUTA DEL ALMENDRO EN FLOR - 18th Route of the Almonds in Flower - is taking place on Saturday, 7th February 2015.

For this edition, two routes have been prepared, a long route, which is 4.5 hours and of HIGH difficulty (not recommended for the under 10's and over 65's who are not habitual walkers), and a short route for the rest of us of just 3 hours and low to medium dificulty.

Both walks start out from Santiago del Teide at 8.30 am and take in the almond groves in the Chinyero Forestry Reserve, walking along lava paths laid by the Chinyero volcano eruption in 1909, ending in the village of Arguayo.

San Antonio Abad Buenavista del Norte 2015

San Antonio Abad Buenavista del Norte 2015

Details of the Fiesta of San Antonio Abad in Buenavista del Norte this coming Sunday, 25th January 2015 are as follows: The Exhibition and Livestock Fair takes place at Finca La Peña from 11 am. The traditional Romeria begins from there at 2 pm and ends at the Plaza Los Remedios in front of the church and, upon arrival, there will be dancing to the Orquesta Malibú Band. 

Via: Ayuntamiento Buenavista del Norte

Fiestas of San Antonio Abad 2015

San Antonio Abad, Los Silos

This coming weekend sees the Fiestas of San Antonio Abad (St Anthony Abbot) in both Arona and Los Silos.

San Antonio Abad, Los Silos

In Los Silos, the program of events get underway on Friday, 16th January with the opening of an art exhibition at 7.30pm, followed at 8pm by a tapas tasting with wines from the region in the former Convent of San Sebastian, opposite the main town square, Plaza de la Luz.

On Saturday, 17th January, there will be Lucha del Garrote Canario (Canarian Stick Fighting) from 11am in and around the Plaza de la Luz. From 9pm, in the area around the church, will be a Noche de Parrandas where bands of local folk musicians will provide music, no doubt well lubricated with more of the local wine.

Sunday, 18th January, from 10am, sees the Livestock Fair and Craft Fair, the former gathering on ground to the rear of the former convent and the latter in and around the Plaza de la Luz. Mass will be celebrated at mid-day and the processions will follow, during which all the animals will get their annual blessing.

San Antonio Abad, Arona

In Arona, highlights include a dance on the Friday night; hot chocolate for everyone and fireworks on the Saturday and the traditional Romeria at 12.30pm on the Sunday.

There is also transport laid on to take you to Arona from the centers of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Ameicas.