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At the Cabalgata Anunciadora (Carnival Opening Parade) 2020 |
February 2 is a public holiday on the island of Tenerife for the Virgen de la Candelaria, the Patroness of the Canary Islands. However, events in Candelaria, as expected, have been restricted to the religious only with no procession. Forty days after Christmas Candelaria (Candlemas) is celebrated, which officially marks the end of the Christmas period and in the Vatican, Christmas decorations are kept until that day. As was traditional in Medieval and Tudor times, the Eve of Candlemas (1st February) was the day on which Christmas decorations and greenery were removed from people's homes and churches.
Carnival in Santa Cruz should have been taking place in the streets between Fri 12 Feb and Sun 21 Feb, but despite having been cancelled this year, many districts have still opted for Carnival Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday), 16 February, as a holiday in their municipality; Arafo, Arico, Arona, Candelaria, El Rosario, El Sauzal, Fasnia, Granadilla, La Matanza, La Orotava, La Victoria, La Laguna, San Miguel, Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte. Despite there being nothing festive to celebrate, the reason cited was to not mess with the school calendar.
The virtual carnival events, 17 February - 7 March, end with a television gala, ‘Santa Cruz, Corazón del Carnaval’ (Santa Cruz, Heart of Carnival).

For Monday 15 February, the Santa Catalina convent in La Laguna organised a Virtual visit to Sister María de Jesús in 2021 - the incorrupt body of Sor María de Jesús (Sister Mary of Jesus de León y Delgado) (1643 – 1731).

Saturday 13 Feb from 19:00hrs: Drags 2021, live from the Teatro-Cine Fajardo (with limited capacity) being streamed by Mírame TV.
Sunday 14 Feb at 19:00hrs: retransmission of the Carnival Queen Gala 2020 by Mirame TV.
Monday 15 Feb from 21:00hrs on Mirame TV, retransmissions of the Carnival Main Parade from 2020.
There are Almond Blossom Walks, but still no fiestas or romerías taking place.