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Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2016

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife in 2016

"Paganism, religion, jubilation, tradition, history, culture and identity all roll into one in the island’s great celebrations known as romerías - a kind of procession with folk dressed in traditional attire, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing, in honour of a saint." Attending any of the romerías in Tenerife is a chance to enjoy what are by far the island’s most popular festivals. The year started with several romerías in honour of San Antonio Abad (St. Anthony Abbot) on 17th, 24th and 31st January, in Los Realejos, Los Silos, Arona, Chio, Güímar, Buenavista del Norte and La Florida. 

Other romerías taking place this year include:
  • Sunday, 24th April: Romería de San Marcos in Tegueste
  • Friday, 13th May: Romería de La Virgen del Buen Viaje y San Telmo in Santa Cruz
  • Sunday, 15th May: Romería de San Isidro in Guía de Isora
  • Sunday, 29th May: Romería de San Isidro in Los Realejos
  • Sunday, 5th June: Romería de San Antonio de Padua in Granadilla de Abona
  • Sunday, 5th June: Romería de San Isidro in La Orotava
  • Sunday, 10th July: Romería de San Benito Abad in La Laguna
  • Sunday, 7th August: Romería de la Esperanza in El Rosario
  • Sunday, 14th August: Romería de la Candelaria in Candelaria
  • Tuesday, 16th August: Romería de San Roque in Garachico
  • Saturday, 27th August: Romería de San Agustín in Arafo
  • Wednesday, 7th September: Romería de la Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro in Güímar

Tenerife in March 2016

Wave

March 2016 starts off with some unexpected bonus carnival events from carnivals that had to be postponed owing to the bad weather a couple of weeks ago.

Owing to bad weather, the events of Los Gigantes Carnival had to be postponed, but the town hall in Santiago del Teide have now announced that the carnival will take place on the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th of March, with events following the same schedule as before:
  • Friday, 4th March: Gala for the Election of the Carnival Queen from 9 pm in the Plaza Buganvilla, afterwards, dancing to the Orquesta The Boys Machine.
  • Saturday, 5th March: Kid's activities (bouncy castles, workshops and performances) from 11 am in the Plaza Buganvilla. Performance by local group, Tío Franklin, from 8:30 pm and dancing to Arguayo Band and Maracaibo from 11 pm.
  • Sunday, 6th March: from 11:30 am until 1:30 pm in the Plaza Bouganvilla, the first edition of CarnaCan - the dog's carnival! Yep, dress up your mutt! There will be a procession and prizes for finalists of the best costumes. The Gran Coso Apoteósico (Carnival Main Parade) takes place from 5 pm, with dancing to the Orquesta Maquinaria Band from 8:30 pm.
  • Monday, 7th MarchEntierro de La Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) from 9 pm, with it's usual funeral procession, followed by the customary fireworks display and dancing to Arguayo Band.
Buenavista del Norte also posponed their carnival with the Children's Costume Parade now on Friday, 4th March, from 5 pm in the Municipal Theatre on Calle la Alhóndiga. The Main Carnival Parade and Costume Contest in Buenavista del Norte also takes place Friday, 4th March, from 7 pm and the blurb states that it includes "all persons or groups who wish to join in", so there's your invite! There'll be music later in the Plaza Ntra. Sra. De Los Remedios.

Buenavista lays the sardine to rest quite quickly with the Burial of the Sardine on Saturday, 5th March, from 8:30 pm, but to ease the pain, there'll be dancing afterwards to Orquesta Corinto and music by Dj Cristo Corona. For real devotees Buenavista are also holding a Murga Contest on Sunday, 6th March, from 6 pm, again in the Municipal Theatre.

While Los Cristianos International Carnival 2016 also kicks off this weekend, with the presentation of the candidates for Carnival Queen on the 4th, then several events on Saturday, 5th March, most notably the Cabalgata Anunciadora del Carnaval (Carnival Opening Parade) in Playa de Las Américas from 7 pm and the Wig Party (Fiesta del Pelucón) from 10 pm in Los Cristianos. There will be DJs, go-go dancers and Tenerife singer, Nalaya Brown, plus a couple of thousand euros in prizes to be distributed to the best (possibly meaning most outlandish) wigs. Los Cristianos International Carnival runs from March 4th to the 14th.

But if you don't want to do carnival, these might be more to your taste: 

Playa San Juan are holding their 2nd Tapas and Wine Night on Saturday, 5th March, in and around the Avenida del Emigrante, by the fishing port. Various bars and restaurants are taking part in the initiative, organised by Guía de Isora town hall. Tapas will be priced at €1 or €2 and wines at €1 per glass. There will also be live music and a DJ to create ambiance.

Crafts Market in San Juan de la Rambla

On Sunday, 6th March, you may like to pop along to ArteSano 2016 in San Juan de la Rambla, a happy marrige between art, craft and organic farming, in a setting recognised worldwide for the quality of its historical heritage. Throughout the morning, local artisans will offer goods in raffia, straw, wicker, jewelry, woodwork, dolls, handmade soaps and other items on a score of stalls in the central plaza of the historic centre of the town, alongside artists offering paintings and other media, while local farmers sell their ecological harvests. You will also find food stalls selling items such as handmade pastries, as well as a Vintage section with textiles and details at competitive prices. The Mercado ArteSano in San Juan de la Rambla is open from 10 am to 2 pm and takes place on the first Sunday of every month.

March 19th, San José (Saint Joseph's Day) is also Father's Day in Spain and the Canary Islands. El Tanque and La Guancha in Tenerife celebrate this fiesta.

There are two public holidays in March: 24th March (Jueves Santo/Easter Thursday) and 25th March (Viernes Santo/Good Friday) as Easter falls in March this year. There are no Municipal Public Holidays in March.

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.