Tenerife in May 2018

Fiestas de mayo (May Fiestas) in Santa Cruz. By Koppchen [CC BY 3.0]

May in Tenerife starts and ends with public holidays. Tuesday 1 May 2018 is Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day) and Wednesday 30 May 2018 is Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), when the islands mark the anniversary of the first session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, held on 30 May 1983.

May 3, 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 Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Commemoration of the Founding of the City. The May festivals are, together with the Tenerife Carnival, the most important dates in the calendar of the city of Santa Cruz, as that is when the founding of the city is celebrated with flower crosses, dancing and street food while streets are filled with the rhythm of folk music. Los Realejos celebrates the Day of the Cross with a spectacular display of fireworks.

May 5th is the anniversary of the eruption in Garachico in 1706.

Sunday 6 May 2018 is Día de la Madre (Mother's Day), celebrated on the first Sunday in May, since 1965 (previously, it was 8th December).

Other celebrations to look out for in May include: the Romería de San Alejo in El Tanque; the Fiestas of San Jose Obrero in Arico; Fiestas of La Virgen de Fátima in Valle San Lorenzo (Arona); Fiestas of San Isidro Labrador in Granadilla de Abona; Fiestas in honour of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza in Valle de Guerra and Las Mercedes (La Laguna); as well as numerous other romerías (see our Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2018).

The Beatles in Tenerife May 1963

Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul McCartney in Puerto de la Cruz

Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr spent their holidays in Tenerife between 29 April and 9 May 1963, just after recording their first album, LP "Please, Please Me" and La Orotava is celebrating the 55th anniversary with an exhibition creatively entitled Los Beatles en Tenerife, which will include photos, records, paintings and drawings. The exhibition is at the Casa de la Cultura de San Agustín, C/ San Agustín, Nº 2, La Orotava (see map), from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday, between 20 April and 20 May 2018.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 21 April 2018, from 8pm in the patio of the same Casa de la Cultura de San Agustín, will be a Beatles concert with the group Alma de Goma (Rubber Soul). Entrance is free and the first 100 attendees will be entered into a raffle for a package containing a DVD, 2 CDs, a book and 8 exclusive photographs of the Beatles in Spain.


THE BEATLES IN TENERIFE MAY 1963

Tenerife in April 2018

Romeria Tegueste Photo: By MOISÉS PÉREZ [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Easter having been early, April is quiet in Tenerife, with no public holidays falling during the month. There are just the following Municipal Public Holidays:

On Monday, 23rd April 2018, Vilaflor is celebrating 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 in 2002.

Wednesday, 25th April 2018 the towns of Icod de los Vinos and Tegueste celebrate the Festivity of San Marcos Evangelista (St. Mark the Evangelist).

The biggest celebration of the month then is the Romería de San Marcos in Tegueste, on the last Sunday in April each year, thus 29 April 2018. The popular pilgrimage itself is what makes these somewhat profane fiestas striking. It is a procession of floats decorated with the natural produce of the countryside, carts, folklore groups from all the Islands, flocks of livestock, yoked oxen, dancers, etc. all accompanied by crowds of people in traditional dress.

Sunday 29 April 2018 the Romería en Honor a San Marcos Evangelista takes place in Tegueste, as part of the Fiestas de San Marcos Evangelista en Tegueste. This year sees the 50th edition of this popular romería, which has been celebrated in the town since 1969.

Headed up by the image of Saint Mark, there will be 23 carts and floats, accompanied by the four boats that are customary in the Tegueste celebrations, as well as the groups of musicians and dancers, including the Danza de las Flores (floral dance), symbol of the town.

April is Wine Month in Tegueste

As if wine needs it's very own month! One of the first events in Tegueste's wine month is the Ruta del Vino y la Tapa (Wine and Tapas Route), from 2 to 25 April and in which 20 bars and restaurants in the town are taking part. There are also special tourist events, as well as a Craft Fair in the Farmers' Market of Tegueste on 21 and 22 April.

ROMERIA 2017

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2018

Romeria de Las Mercedes Photo: Jose Mesa Some rights reserved

As every year there is an ample programme of Romerías in Tenerife in 2018 - one of the most colourful to enjoy the island's traditional fiestas and immerse yourself in some Canarian culture. January's have, of course, already taken place. This still doesn't include every single Romería in every town and village, many of which take place over the summer months, so watch out for them.

January

• 14/01/2018 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Tigaiga – Los Realejos
• 14/01/2018– Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Arona
• 28/01/2018 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad y Ntra. Sra. la Virgen de la Esperanza – La florida – La Orotava
•  28/01/2018 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad – Buenavista del Norte

April

• 29/04/2018 – Romería de San Marcos – Tegueste 

May

• 13/05/2018 – Romería de la Virgen el Buen Viaje – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 13/05/2018 – Romería de Ntra. Sra. de Fátima – Valle San Lorenzo, Arona
• 20/05/2018 – Romería de San Isidro – Guía de Isora
• 20/05/2018 – Romería in honour of San Isidro y Santa María de la Cabeza – Valle de Guerra
• 26/05/2018 – Baile de Magos – Los Silos – Trasera del Antiguo Convento de San Sebastián en el casco histórico.
• 27/05/2018 – Romería San Isidro Labrador y Santa María de La Cabeza – Los Realejos 

June

• 03/06/2018 – Romería de San Antonio de Padua – Granadilla de Abona
• 08/06/2018 – Baile de Magos de Tacoronte
• 10/06/2018 – Romería de San Isidro – La Orotava
• 14/06/2018 – 01/07/2018 – Fiestas patronales in honour of San Pedro Apóstol – El Sauzal
• 17/06/2018 – Romería de Tacoronte

July

• 08/07/2018 – Romería San Benito de Abad – La Laguna
• 10/07/2018 – Embarcación de La Virgen del Carmen – Puerto de la Cruz
• 15/07/2018 – Paseo “romero” con carros (tractores agrícolas) engalanados – Barrio de Ravelo

August

• 05/08/2018 – Romería in honour of la Virgen de La Esperanza – El Rosario
• 14/08/2018 – Romería de la Candelaria
• 15/08/2018 – Pilgrimage to the Basílica de Ntra. Sra. De Candelaria
• 16/08/2018 – Romería in honour of San Roque – Garachico
• 19/08/2018 – Romería Barquera in honour of San Casiano – Las Galletas – Arona
• 24/08/2018 – Corazones de Tejina – Tejina
• 25/08/2018 – Romería in honour of San Agustín y posterior Baile de Magos – Arafo

September

• 01/09/2018 – Romería in honour of San Isidro – La Victoria de Acentejo
• 07/09/2018 – Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro – Güímar
• 23/09/2018 – Romería de San Miguel de Abona

Guía de romerías 2018

Tenerife Rally Calendar 2018

Come in Number 40

For all you rally fans, here is the calendar of fixtures for this year:

Rallies

• 7 Apr - Rallye Sprint Atogo
• 12 May - Villa de Adeje Rally
• 2 Jun - Orvecame Norte Rally
• 23 Jun - Villa de Granadilla Rally
• 28 Jul - City of La Laguna Rally
• 17 Nov - Isle of Tenerife Rally
• 8 Dec - Rally Sprint Santiago del Teide

Hill Climbs

• 10 Mar - El Tanque Hillclimb
• 24 Mar - Los Loros Hillclimb
• 9 Jun - Guía de Isora Hillclimb
• 7 Jul - Mirador de Güímar Hillclimb
• 6 Oct - Tamaimo Hillclimb
• 20 Oct - Arona - La Escalona Hillclimb
• 3 Nov - Icod - La Guancha Hillclimb
• 1 Dec - Arico Hillclimb

Tenerife in March 2018

Carnival Main Parade in Los Cristianos
Photo By Daniel L Cetrulo for Ayuntamiento de Arona Some rights reserved

The bad weather played havoc (again - this also happened in 2016) with the schedule for Carnival in Los Gigantes, so the authorities have issued a revised programme:

Thursday, 1 March 
9:30pm Drag Queen Gala-Exhibition followed by "Ni Un Pelo de Tontos".

Friday, 2 March 
9pm Grand Gala for the election of the Adult Carnival Queen with performance by Comparsa Los Joroperos and singer, Jadel.  
11pm Carnival Dance with Orchestra Tropin and DJ Mario Bravo.

Saturday, 3 March
11am Junior Cross 2018.
5:30pm Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen with the participation of local coreographic groups and magic show.
11pm Carnival dance with Orchestras Sabrosa and Guaracha, during which the winners of the costume contest will be announced.

Sunday, 4 March
12pm Grand Carnival Parade with the participation of all the carnival groups; comparsas, floats with the carnival queens and her maids of honour, etc. Upon the procession's arrival in the square, dancing to the Orchestra Maraury.
8pm Mister Global Spain Gala

Carnival costumes will be on display in the Plaza Buganvilla in Los Gigantes on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 5th to 7th March and from 4:30pm on Thursday, 8th March is the carnival afternoon of bouncy castles, workshops and musical performances for young children.

The Burial of the Sardine and the Daytime Carnival in Los Gigantes have been postponed until Friday, 9th March and Saturday, 10th March, respectively. 

International Carnival Los Cristianos 2018 begins on March 1st to March 12th, with the Opening Parade on the 3rd and the Main Parade on the 11th. 

Over the weekend of 16, 17 and 19 March the Plaza de España in the centre of Adeje will, once again, ‘go green’ as part of the international greening of buildings around the world for Saint Patrick's Day. The official mass will be celebrated at midday on Saturday, 17 March at the Iglesia Parroquial Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe (Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe).

Fiestas de San Patricio en Adeje

Tenerife's capital city celebrates St. Patrick's Day as an international act of homage to the historic Irish colony. The Rambla de Santa Cruz and the municipal market are decorated with Irish flags and the characteristic shamrock. In addition, performances of traditional Irish music and gastronomic tastings are programmed where the best beer will not be forgotten.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife se viste de verde en la fiesta irlandesa más internacional

Monday, 19th March 2018 is Día del Padre (Father's Day). In Catholic Europe, it has been celebrated on March 19 (St. Joseph's Day) since the Middle Ages.

There are no local public holidays in individual municipalities this month.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins on Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) Sunday, 25th March and ends on Sunday, 1st April, with two public holidays: Thursday, 29th March and Friday, 30th March for Good Friday.

Carnival 2018 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Closes

Daytime carnival crowd in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Image Santa Cruz Town Hall)

With an estimated crowd of 200,000 people during the Daytime Carnival event of the final weekend of carnival 2018 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the organisers are calling it a record day that serves as a reminder of that famous Guinness record breaking attendance: "In 1987, singer Celia Cruz went to the Carnival Chicharrero with Billo's Caracas Boys; attended by 250,000 people, the concert was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest gathering of people in an outdoor plaza to attend a concert. [Source]"

The Gala for the Selection of the Carnival Queen on Wednesday, 7th February was watched by 4.5 million viewers via the two Spanish and Canarian television channels, more than in previous years. This number was 'across the country', so that may not even include international and online viewers.

During the last night of the fiestas there was another decrease in the activity of the carnival field hospital, where just 88 patients were seen for various reasons, the most frequent being the excessive consumption of alcohol (in 23 cases, 10 of whom were minors). Last year on the equivalent night, 136 people had been treated. The most serious case was a male, found unconscious in the street with head and chest injuries. He was taken to the Hospital de la Candelaria and is in a critical state. The first aid post in the Plaza de España, run by volunteers, attended to 20 people with minor injuries. During the Daytime Carnival, just 55 people required treatment for minor ailments and for the effects of the excessive consumption of alcohol. Seven only required hospital treatment or x-rays.

Another nugget of data is that more than a million LED light bulbs had been installed in Santa Cruz as decorative carnival lighting. The Town Hall hopes this will produce savings of €10,000 over the use of traditional bulbs.

Today, the clean up operation began in Tenerife's capital, where council workers had already collected 241 tons of rubbish in the second third of carnival and used 1.6 million litres of treated water and 2,160 litres of cleaning products.

Meanwhile, in Puerto de la Cruz, some 30,000 spectators turned up to watch 441 blokes in drag in the annual Mascarita Ponte Tacón on Friday night and another 25,000 turned out to watch the climax of their carnival, the Main Carnival parade, which had started at 6pm this year, two hours later than is customary.

At a press conference this week in Santa Cruz, some more data has been released about the carnival that just closed in the city, which they are calling a record carnival with more participation and less incidents. 

Here's a quick list of what we discovered:

• More that a million people attended carnival in the streets of Santa Cruz
• 100,000 people took part in the various contests and parades
• There was a 14% increase in demand for the 600,000 public transport services 
• 528 tons of rubbish were collected during the 10 days
• There were less incidents at the carnival campaign hospital - 620 cases, 11% less than 2017
• 152,000 cruise passengers made a stop in Santa Cruz during carnival and spent a total of seven million euros between them, 15% more than in 2017
• Hotels registered record occupation reaching 95% at the weekends and 80% during the week
• On Shrove Tuesday, the day of the main parade, 11,000 tourists arrived in Santa Cruz in 200 coaches, spent 450,000 euros and bought all 1,600 seats in the stands. (Reports are one tour operator wants all of them in 2019.)
• Business sponsorship increased almost 100% to reach 600,000 Euros
• 12 million people visited the Santa Cruz carnival website
• Almost 11 million people followed carnival on Facebook
• Seats sold out for the Final of the Murga contests, the Carnival Queen Gala and other contests
• 50 million viewers watched something of the carnival on televison

Indeed, a fantastic result. Can't wait for 2019!

Carnaval récord en Santa Cruz: más participación, menos incidencias

The clean up crew (Image Santa Cruz Town Hall)