Tenerife in September 2023

Brilliant Bougainvillea

There are no public holidays in September, but still plenty to fill your days:

Oktoberfest 50th Anniversary Puerto de la Cruz 🎉

Oktoberfest Puerto de la Cruz returns in style although ... this year is not just any year, the event is celebrating its 50th birthday and the organisers want the Plaza de Europa to be a real party. Don't be shy and bring your typical German costume, your Beer stein (if not, they'll help you with that), your dog, your friends ... All are invited to the OLDEST beer party IN SPAIN!

📆 September 1, 2 and 3 Oktoberfest #PuertodelaCruz in the Plaza de Europa Oktoberfest Puerto de la Cruz

(The annual Pinolere Craft Fair that was due to take place at the beginning of September, has had to be posponed due to the forest fire and will now be taking place in October.)

The Carnaval de Verano de Canarias 2023 (The Summer Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz) is between 5 and 10 Sep 2023. This is the eighth edition - we were at the first in 2016 - and a whole host of events are planned, as you can see in the program listings here. There's a Carnival Parade along the Avenida de Cristobal Colón to the Plaza de los Reyes Catolicos on Sunday, 10 September at 5pm. Altogether too touristy for my taste, but I guess that's the entire point of this event, merely to sell the winter carnival to summer visitors.

On September 7th, is the annual Romería del Socorro (part of the Fiesta de San Pedro) from the Plaza de San Pedro in Güimar to the Playa del Socorro.

September 8th is the main date of the Fiestas de la Luz in Los Silos, in honour of the patroness of the town, Nuestra Señora de la Luz, celebrated since 1722. The day starts at 10 a.m. with mass, Eucharist at 12 mid-day, followed by a Romeria (procession through the streets). In the past, these fiestas included a curious floral offering made by divers to an underwater Icon off the coast.

The Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna are held every September 14th in the city of La Laguna, which turns out to show its devotion to the Santísimo Cristo (Holy Christ), one of the most venerated icons on the island. Parades, processions, street parties and fireworks are part of the celebrations. On the Eve of the Fiestas, 13th September, events begin at two in the afternoon with the traditional food of the Gofio party in the wash houses next to the Plaza del Cristo. At 8 p.m. the Pandorga and the Caballitos de Fuego (Fire Horses) parade through the streets of the old town; Starting at 9:30 p.m., the so-called Night of Traditions will begin, in the Plaza del Cristo and once midnight arrives, it will be the turn of the traditional fireworks, which will be fired as always from El Risco de San Roque.

Festival Boreal. Music and other arts. Diversity and Sustainability. The eco-festival of reference in the Atlantic is taking place this year on 21 to 24 Sep 2023. Every year in September, Los Silos hosts this event to highlight the importance of caring for and respecting the environment. The stretch of coast that belongs to the municipality is the setting for several activities, including turtle releases, recycling workshops, concerts, market stalls and an eco-tourism fair. More details on Festival Boreal 2023.

La Librea (Livery) in Tegueste had taken place in September, once every 3 years and was reported to be due in 2023, 2026 and 2029. However, it took place after a 4 year gap in 2022 - so actually, we can't now be sure when it will be. It represents the defence of the island against the continuous attacks and plundering of pirates that took place during the 17th century and involves a mock battle between the "goodies" and "baddies" in beautiful ox-drawn carts made to look like galleons.

September also sees the annual Ruta Nocturna del Hermano Pedro (an evening walk to Saint Hermano Pedro‘s cave, near Tenerife South Airport, which he used as a watering hole for his flock. This year's 18th Edition of the event takes place on Friday, 15 Sept 2023, from 8:30pm, coinciding with the beginning of the festivities in honour of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes de Roja, in the coastal neighbourhood of El Médano. The theme chosen for this year is Emigration, so there will be a projection of related photographs; Theatre and music also awaits at the end of the walk. Registration is essential due to capacity and safety issues. 

The annual fiestas in the village of El Palmar, Buenavista del Norte, begin on the third weekend of September each year, on the Friday night and include the unique dance of Las Libreras on day 2, the Saturday night. The 10-day event culminates on the 4th Sunday of the month with the Día de la Trilla (Threshing Day).

Icod abandons beauty pageants during the Fiestas del Cristo. Mayor, Javier Sierra, explains that this type of contest perpetuates sexist and little inclusive behaviour. The municipality of Icod de los Vinos joins the trend of many towns in Spain, such as Candelaria in Tenerife, and Santa Cruz de La Palma, or Betanzos in La Coruña and Quesada in Jaén, among others, to put the celebration of beauty contests within festivities firmly in the past, as explained in a statement from the council.

In the month of September of this year, the election of the queen of the September Festivities in honour of the Santísimo Cristo del Calvario (Christ of Calvary) will be replaced by other inclusive celebrations that highlight local talent, the dissemination of inclusive and non-sexist values and that highlight heritage and culture.

Icod abandona los concursos de belleza con motivo de las Fiestas del Cristo

Municipal holidays in Tenerife in September:

• 7 Sep: Festividad de Nuestra Señora del Socorro in Güímar
• 8 Sep: Festividad de Nuestra Señora de la Luz in Los Silos
• 8 Sep: Festividad de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Tegueste
• 8 Sep: Festividad de Nuestra Señora de Abona in Arico
• 11 Sep: Festividad de San José in San Juan de la Rambla
• 14 Sep: Festividad del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna in La Laguna
• 18 Sep: Santísimo Cristo de la Dulce Muerte in Guía de Isora
• 29 Sep: Festividad de San Miguel Arcángel in San Miguel de Abona

Romerías in September include:

• 07/09/23 Bajada de la Virgen El Socorro – Güímar
• 08/09/23 Subida de la Virgen del Socorro – Güímar
• 24/09/23 Romería de San José – San Juan de la Rambla
• Romería de San Miguel Arcángel- San Miguel de Abona (date to be confirmed)

Fiestas in September include:

• Virgen del Campo: 2nd week of September in Fañabé
• Nuestra Señora de Abona: 8th September in Arico
• Virgen de Las Mercedes: in Porís de Abona, 24th September in Arico
• San Miguel de Tajao: 29th September in Arico
• El Carmen: Los Cristianos on the 1st Sunday of September
• San Jerónimo: Second weekend in September in Teno Alto
• Virgen de la Consolación: Second half of September, featuring the Baile de las Libreas, in El Palmar
• San Nicolás: 10th September in San Nicolás, El Sauzal
• San José, third weekend in September in El Tanque
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen: 4th week of September in Las Eras, Fasnia
• Fiestas of San Blas in Los Abrigos during the 2nd week of September.
• Fiestas of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes de Rojas in El Médano during the 3rd week of September.
• Nuestra Señora del Rosario y La Milagrosa: First Sunday in September in Tejina, Guía de Isora.
• Feria de Artesanía: (Craft Fair) Second Sunday of September in Guía de Isora
• Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de La Luz y Cristo de la Dulce Muerte: 2nd and 3rd Sunday of September in Guía de Isora
• Bajada de Nuestra Señora de El Socorro and Romería del Socorro: 7-8 September in Güímar, thought to be the oldest romería the Canary Islands. 
• Virgen de las Angustias, 14 September in Las Angustias, Icod de los Vinos
• Santísimo Cristo del Calvario, last Sunday of September in Icod de los Vinos
• Nuestra Señora de Guía: 8th September in La Matanza de Acentejo
• Nuestra Señora de La Caridad del Cobre: 11 September, in La Victoria de Acentejo
• Nuestra Señora de La Luz: 8 September, in Los Silos
• Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna: 14 September
• Santa Rosalía in Las Rosas: First weekend in September in San Juan de la Rambla
• San José: Second weekend of September in September in San Juan de la Rambla
• Romería en Honor a San José: 3rd weekend of September in September in San Juan de la Rambla
• San Rafael: 29 September in September in San Juan de la Rambla
• San Miguel Arcángel: around 29 September in San Miguel de Abona
• San Joaquín y La Paz: End of September in Tamaimo
• Nª Señora de La Luz, first week of September in Tacoronte
• Fiestas de El Cristo, September, Plaza de El Cristo in Tacoronte
• Nuestra Señora de los Remedios - 8 September. Celebrated throughout the municipality, activities include La Librea, every three years in Tegueste
• Nuestra Señora del Socorro - The grand fiestas of El Socorro, in honor of their patron, takes place at the end of September in Tegueste

Tenerife Rally Calendar 2023

• 9 Sep: Rallyesprint Arico
• 23 Sep: Los Loros Hill Climb
• 30 Sep: Rallysprint Atogo

Tenerife in August 2023

Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín

August is a month that's packed with very many fiestas and romerías, but the biggest event in the month 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. There is one national public holiday this month on August 15 for the Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption of the Virgin). 

The Romería de San Roque in Garachico (or San Roque Pilgrimage), of National Tourist Interest, is one of those events which takes place on the same date each year, 16 August, irrespective of the day of the week and has done so since the 17th Century. At one o'clock in the afternoon, the municipal band, herds of livestock, street musicians and people parade through the streets to lead the figure of San Roque to the chapel. At the same time, the fishermen in Garachico embark on their own ocean pilgrimage, taking the saint along the coastline on their boats. 

Municipal holidays in August are:

• 7 Aug: Festividad de Nuestra Señora de La Esperanza in El Rosario
• 7 Aug: Festividad de El Salvador in La Matanza de Acentejo
• 16 Aug: Festividad de San Roque in Garachico
• 21 Aug: Monday of the Fiestas Patronales in Fasnia and La Guancha
• 24 Aug: Festividad de San Bartolomé in Buenavista del Norte
• 28 Aug: Festividad de San Bernardo in Arafo
• 28 Aug: Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación in La Victoria de Acentejo
• 28 Aug: Festividad de San Roque y San Agustín in Vilaflor de Chasna
• 31 Aug: Festividad Nuestra Señora de Buen Viaje in El Tanque

Romerías in August include:

• 06/08/23 Romería de Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza – El Rosario
• 12/08/23 Bajada de Las Hayas – La Guancha
• 14/08/23 Romería de la Candelaria – Candelaria
• 16/08/23 Romería de San Roque – Garachico
• 20/08/23 Romería del Poleo El Amparo – Icod de los Vinos
• 26/08/23 Romería de San Agustín – Arafo

Fiestas in Tenerife in August include:

• Fiestas patronales in honour of San Juan  Degollado, San Agustín and San Bernardo: during the month of August in Arafo
• Romería de San Agustín: Saturday before last Sunday of August, Arafo
• Nuestra Señora de la Luz: in Arico El Nuevo, 15th August
• Virgen de Tajo: in Arico, 16th August
• Romería de San Bartolomé: in El Río, Arico, 3rd Sunday of August
• San Lorenzo Mártir: 10th August in Valle San Lorenzo
• San Casiano: 19th August in Las Galletas
• San Bartolomé: 24th August in Buenavista del Norte. The Feria de Artesanía (Craft Fair), is part of these annual fiestas, which takes place in the Plaza de Los Remedios.
• Virgen del Carmen: Last weekend of August and first weekend of September in Las Portelas
• Virgen de la Candelaria: 14th and 15th August in Candelaria
• Romería de Nra Señora de La Esperanza: 1st Sunday in August in El Rosario
• Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles: 2nd August in El Sauzal
• Virgen del Buen Viaje, 31st August in El Tanque
• San Joaquín and Santa Ana: 3rd week in August in Fasnia
• 16th August  - Romería de San Roque in Garachico
• Fiestas of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves in Charco del Pino on 5th August
• Fiestas of Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje in Cruz de Tea on 18th August
• San Juan y Virgen del Carmen: 1st Sunday of Aug, Playa San Juan.
• Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria: 15 August in Alcalá.
• San Roque: Third Sunday of August in Chiquergue.
• Virgen del Amparo, 5 August in El Amparo, with romería in Icod de los Vinos
• Santa Bárbara, last Sunday of August in Santa Bárbara, Icod de los Vinos
• Second Saturday in August - Bajada de Las Hayas in La Guancha
• 17th August - Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de La Esperanza in La Guancha
• Forth Sunday in August - Santo Domingo de Guzmán in La Guancha
• Second half of August - Fiestas Patronales in La Guancha
• Fiestas of El Salvador y Nuestra Señora del Rosario: 6th August in La Matanza de Acentejo,
• La Virgen del Carmen: last Sunday of August in El  Caletón, La Matanza de Acentejo
• Santo Domingo de Guzmán and Nuestra Señora del Rosario: One week around 8 August in La Victoria de Acentejo
• Nuestra Señora de La Encarnación: 17 August in La Victoria de Acentejo
• Nuestra Señora de Lourdes: 1st week of August in Tierra del Trigo, Los Silos
• Corazones de Tejina around 24th August.
• Sagrado Corazón de María: 1st half of August in Aldea Blanca, San Miguel de Abona
• San Roque: 2nd half of August in San Roque, San Miguel de Abona
• Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria: 15 August in Arguayo
• Santa Rosa de Lima y La Purisima: End of August in Molledo
• Nª Señora de Candelaria, 1st half of August in Camino La Cuesta, Tacoronte
• Cristo del Lomo Colorado, 2nd week of August
• La Cruz de Juan Fernández, 25 August, Cruz de Juan Fernández
• Nª Señora de El Carmen, 2nd half of August, Mesa del Mar
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Last weekend of August in El Pris
• Sagrado Corazón de Jesús - The neighbourhood of Pedro Álvarez, celebrates their fiestas in honour of the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, during the first half of August in Tegueste
• Fiesta Mayor of San Roque and San Agustín: last week of August. Romería in honour of these patrons of Vilaflor. Craft Fair.

Tenerife in July 2023

Strelitzia nicolai (giant white bird of paradise) in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife

There are no public holidays in July, but that doesn't mean it's not full of events.

July 3 is the Anniversary of the Derrame del Vino (Wine Mutiny).

Day of Traditions in Chirche, should take place on Sunday 9 July 2023. 

Chirche celebrateed its roots on a trip back to the 1940s.

July Fiestas in La Laguna

The city of La Laguna, celebrates their Romería Regional de San Benito Abad (second Sunday in July annually, confirmed as Sunday 9 July 2023), considered the most representative romeria of the Canary Islands, with colourful, local costume, music, dancing, wine and food. Amongst the celebrations is a Livestock or Cattle Fair, with exhibitions of livestock and also demonstrations of threshing and other traditional country pursuits. It is held in honour of San Benito Abad (St. Benedict of Nursia), the patron saint of farmers of Tenerife. These July fiestas also include the delightful, Noche de los Burros (Night of the Donkeys)

Romería Regional San Benito Abad 2023

Fiestas del Carmen

In July the Fiestas del Carmen are the high spot on the calendar and are celebrated most largely in Puerto de la Cruz in the north of Tenerife, where the image of the Virgin del Carmen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) is carried through the streets to the harbour, then boarded onto a boat, for a "sea parade" and a ceremony to bless local fishermen - transforming the old port area into a chaotic, noisy sea of fiesta fun. In Puerto de la Cruz these celebrations always take place on the nearest Tuesday before the 16th, this year, Tuesday, 11 July 2023.

30,000 people attended the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz 2023

Santa Cruz' Victory Over The English

Around July 25th, the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, commemorates its famous and proud victory over English Admiral, Horacio Nelson, whose failed attempt on Santa Cruz, on July 25th, 1797, cost him his right arm. 

Santa Cruz Celebrates Victory Over The English

Fiesta de Santiago

Santa Cruz, Los Realejos and Puertito de Güímar, celebrate the Fiesta de Santiago on July 25th. Santiago (St. James), is the Patron Saint of Spain. In Güímar this is celebrated with an impressive firework display from the sea. Also around the time of St. James Day on July 25, you can buy the traditional, almond, Tarta de Santiago, decorated with the Cross of Saint James.

Around July 27th, La Laguna also celebrates the Fiestas de San Cristóbal. 

The Ciudad de La Laguna Rally is to be held on the last weekend of July 28-29.

Other festivities being celebrated around the island in July include: 

• Ntra. Sra. de Las Nieves: 1st week of July in Las Nieves in Adeje
• Ntra. Sra. de Coromoto: Last week of July in Taucho in Adeje
• Ntra. Sra. del Carmen: 1st week of July in Tijoco; 2nd week of July in Los Olivos in Adeje
• Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria: Last week of July in Armeñime in Adeje
• Virgen de La Paz: 8th July in Buzonada in Arona
• Santa Lucía: Last weekend in July in La Cuesta, Buenavista del Norte
• Virgen del Carmen: 16th July in Candelaria
• Santa Ana: 26th July in Candelaria
• Exaltación de la Santa Cruz and romería del Santo Hermano Pedro, in Llano del Moro on the 1st Sunday of July in El Rosario
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen, 16th July in Boca Cangrejo, Radazul and Varadero  in El Rosario
• Santa Cruz: 2nd and 3rd weeks of July in Ravelo, El Sauzal
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen: 3rd week of July, Plaza de La Zarza, in Fasnia
• Fiestas of San Benito in Los Blanquitos on 11th July in Granadilla de Abona
• Fiestas of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in Chimiche, Casablanca and Los Abrigos on 16th July in Granadilla de Abona
• Fiestas of Santa Ana in Las Vegas on 26th July in Granadilla de Abona
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen: 1st & 2nd week of July in Vera de Erques, Guía de Isora
• San Fermín, 7 July in Hoya Ana Díaz in Icod de los Vinos
• Virgen de Fátima, 1st week of July in Cruz del Tronco and La Florida in Icod de los Vinos
• Virgen del Carmen, 17 July in Llanito Perera, Playa de San Marcos and Las Abiertas in Icod de los Vinos
• Santa Ana, Santiago Apóstol and Virgen de la O, 22-26 July in Buen Paso in Icod de los Vinos
• Virgen del Carmen in Santo Domingo, second - third week of July in La Guancha
• Nuestra Señora del Socorro, last Sunday of July in San Antonio, in La Matanza de Acentejo
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen, 16 July in Los Realejos
• Santiago Apóstol, 25 July in Los Realejos
• San Bernardo 20 July in San Bernardo, Los Silos
• Fiestas de La Virgen del Carmen: Tuesday prior to 16 July in Puerto de la Cruz
• Romería de San Benito Abad: Second Sunday of July in La Laguna
• La Cruz y San Pedro in Las Aguas: 2nd weekend of July in San Juan de la Rambla
• Vírgen del Carmen: 16 July in San Juan de la Rambla
• Ntra. Sra. Virgen del Carmen: 1st half of July in Guargacho, San Miguel de Abona
• Fiestas del Carmen: Virgen del Carmen 16 July in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Santiago Apóstol (patron of the city) and the defeat of Horatio Nelson 25 July in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Nuestra Señora del Carmen: July in Puerto Santiago, Santiago del Teide
• Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol: 2nd half of July in Santiago del Teide
• Fiesta de Santa Ana: 26 July in Tamaimo, Santiago del Teide
• La Cruz de Tagoro, 1st half of July in Tacoronte
• Santiago Apóstol: 25 July in La Escalona, Vilaflor de Chasna

Municipal holidays in July in Tenerife are:

• 11 Jul: Festividad de la Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz
• 25 Jun: Festividad de Santiago Apóstol in Santiago del Teide
• 26 Jul: Santa Ana in Candelaria, Garachico and Santiago del Teide
• 31 Jul: Monday of the Fiestas del Carmen in Los Realejos

Romerías in July include:

• 09/07/23 Romería de San Benito Abad – La Laguna

Tenerife Rally Calendar 2023

• 1 Jul: Villa de Adeje Rally
• 8 Jul: Palo Blanco Hill Climb
• 29 Jul: City of La Laguna Rally

Tenerife in June 2023

El Alfombrista (The Carpet Maker) Monument to the makers of sand and flower carpets

There are no public holidays in June and the biggest events are as follows:

The Día de las Alfombras (Day of the Carpets) in La Orotava this year is on Thursday, 15 June. On the 8th day of Corpus Christi in La Orotava in Tenerife, the town celebrates it’s annual Día de las Alfombras (Carpet Day), where carpets made of sand and of plant materials are made throughout the streets, as well as a huge carpet of sands from the Teide National Park covering the square in front of the town hall, which achieved a Guinness World Record in 2007, because of its size.

On the weekend following Carpet Day, La Orotava celebrates the largest of the annual folk fiestas, the Romería de San Isidro Labrador.

On June 21st, you can celebrate summer solstice at the Güímar Pyramids.

On June 22nd all the public water fountains in Puerto de la Cruz are decorated.

Spend the night of San Juan, June 23rd, at Playa Jardín, Puerto de la Cruz, by the light of the bonfires. Read more about June’s high days and magic nights.

And on the morning of Midsummer’s Day, June 24th, whether you wake up with a hangover or not, things get even weirder with the annual baño de las cabras (goat dipping), which kicks off in Puerto de la Cruz harbour from 8 am. 

Fiestas in Tenerife in June include: San Juan Bautista, 24th June in Arico; San Juan, Last week of June in Los Carrizales, Buenavista del Norte; Fiesta de San Juan, with the traditional bonfires on the night of 23rd June in Tabaiba and on the Playa de La Nea, El Rosario; San Pedro Apóstol, The last two weeks of June in El Sauzal; Nuestra Señora de la Begoña, first week of June and San Antonio de Padua, 13th June, in El Tanque; San Antonio, 13th June country fiesta in Monte de Fasnia, Fasnia; Nuestra Señora de los Reyes, 24 June in Garachico; On the 13th June, fiestas in honour of San Antonio de Padua, patron of Granadilla de Abona, are celebrated with a romería that culminates in a dance in the town's main square; San Juan, from 23 to 25 June in La Caleta de Interián and San José in Los Silos; San Juan, 23-24 June in Puerto de la Cruz; San Felipe Neri in La Vera, First week of June and San Juan Bautista, 24 June in San Juan de la Rambla; Corpus Christi and San Juan in San Miguel de Abona; San Lorenzo, 13 June in Retamar and San Pedro y San Pablo, Last week of June in Santiago de Teide; Corpus Christi various districts of Tacoronte; San Antonio Abad and El Sagrado Corazón - At the end of June, El Portezuelo, in Tegueste; Corpus Christi, San Juan (24th) and the Romería de Ifonche, last week of June, in Vilaflor de Chasna.

Municipal holidays in June in Tenerife are:

• 13 Jun: Festividad de San Antonio de Padua in Granadilla de Abona
• 15 Jun: Infraoctava del Corpus Christi in La Orotava
• 24 Jun: San Juan Bautista in Guía de Isora and San Juan de la Rambla
• 29 Jun: Festividad de San Pedro Apóstol in El Sauzal and Güímar

Romerías in June include:

• 04/06/23 Romería de San Isidro – Los Realejos
• 11/06/2023 San Antonio de Padua - Granadilla de Abona
• 18/06/2023 Romería de San Isidro Labrador – La Orotava
• Paseo Romero del Puerto de la Cruz (date to be confirmed)
• Romería de San Isidro de Guamasa – La Laguna (date to be confirmed)

Tenerife Rally Calendar 2023

• 3 Jun: Guía de Isora Hill Climb
• 17 Jun: Villa de Granadilla Rally

Tenerife in May 2023

Barranco de Santos in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

There are two public holidays this month: today 1 May for Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day) and on May 30 for Día de Canarias (Canary Islands Day).

May 3rd is Día de la Cruz / Day of the Cross, which is celebrated with Fiestas de Mayo (May Festivals) in Santa Cruz (where it marks the date of the city’s foundation in 1494), in Puerto de la Cruz and in Los Realejos, the last with its infamous fireworks 'battle'. Puerto de la Cruz decorates various crosses in the town.

Santa Cruz are preparing to celebrate their Fiestas de Mayo with around 100 events throughout the month, but the two stand out events are the Exhibition of crosses made of flowers along the Rambla de Santa Cruz, on Wednesday, May 3 and the XLVI (46th) Regional Exhibition of Flowers, Plants, and Traditional and Contemporary Canarian Crafts, and the Canarian Gastronomic Crafts Exhibition, which will take place from May 1 to 7 in the Parque García Sanabria.

May 5th marks the anniversary of the volcanic eruption, in 1706, which destroyed the town of Garachico. In 2006, on the 300th anniversary, the event included the unveiling of a new monument overlooking where the old port had been.

Sunday, 7 May 2023 is Día de la Madre (Mother's Day) in Spain.

And May 30th is the Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), the annual event and local holiday, which celebrates “Canarianess” and remembers the anniversary of the first session of the autonomous Canary Islands Parliament, on May 30th, 1983. There are always lots of traditions celebrated all around the island: traditional costume is worn and there will be demonstrations, particularly of traditional sports.

Municipal holidays in Tenerife this month are:

• 3 May: Exaltación de la Santa Cruz in Los Realejos
• 3 May: Festividad de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz in Puerto de la Cruz
• 3 May: Festividad del Día de la Cruz in Santa Cruz

Fiestas celebrated in May include: Nuestra Señora de Fátima, 13th May in Adeje; Romería de la Virgen de Fátima: 13th-15th May in Valle San Lorenzo, Arona; Nuestra Señora la Virgen de Fátima, Around 13th May in El Hayal, El Sauzal; Mª Auxiliadora or Los Faroles, 3rd week of May in Plaza la Zarza and Día de La Cruz, 3rd May in Plaza de La Cruz del Roque, in Fasnia; San Felipe, Last Sunday in May in Chirche, Guía de Isora; Cruz del Molino, 3 May in La Centinela, Santa Cruz and San Salvador, 3 May in Cruz del Camino and San Felipe Neri, 26 May in San Felipe, in Icod de los Vinos; Virgen del Coromoto, last week of May in Guancha de Abajo, La Guancha; Fiestas of the Crosses y Fireworks, 3 May in Los Realejos; Fiestas in honour of La Begoña, 1st week of May in Erjos and Fiestas de Fátima: 13 May in Fátima, in Los Silos; Fiestas de la Cruz, 3 May, in Puerto de la Cruz; Fiestas de Mayo throughout the month in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; Fiesta del Santísimo Cristo, 1st week of May in Valle de Arriba and Romería de San Isidro Labrador, 15 May, in Santiago del Teide; Nª Señora de La Caridad, end of May / beginning of June, campo de lucha La Caridad, Tacoronte; Fiesta de La Cruz - Celebrated 3 May in Las Toscas and El Calvario (El Socorro), with floral decoration on all of the crosses in Tegueste.

Romerías in May include:

• 01/05/23 Romería en Honour of San Alejo- El Tanque
• 13/05/23 Romería de La Virgen del Buen Viaje y San Telmo – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 14/05/23 Romería de Valle San Lorenzo – Arona
• 21/05/23 Romería de San Isidro – Guía de Isora
• San Isidro Labrador – Granadilla (date to be confirmed)

The eighth edition, the Canary Islands Gastronomy Fair – GastroCanarias 2023 returns to the Recinto Ferial de Tenerife from 23rd to 25th May 2023. Occupying a total area of about 14,000 m², it aspires to exceed the mark of the 2022 edition, with 215 stands. Likewise, there will be two large stages, one sponsored by the Cabildo de Tenerife, in which the cooking contests take place, and another by Heineken®, in which the drinks contests will be held and an intense program of activities will be offered cooking workshops, master classes, cooking demonstrations (show cooking), presentation and tasting of products, and commented tastings. These activities and other complementary ones will also take place in the various institutional stands and companies in the sector present at the fair. Gastrocanarias regresa al Recinto Ferial de Tenerife con más expositores y actividades

Tenerife in April 2023

Plaza del Adelantado, San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Plenilunio Santa Cruz 2023, the fourteenth edition of this festival, is taking place from March 31 to April 2, and will feature outstanding performances by Café Quijano and Revólver, as well as workshops, markets, children's activities, gastronomic stalls and parades spread over 17 points in the city.

The program, begins on Friday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m. with a new edition of the Festival of Craft and World Beer in the Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena, an event that will feature DJs and musical performances and that will remain open both on Saturday and Sunday. In parallel, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, the Plaza de La Candelaria will host musical performances by Escuela de Calor, 101 Bras Band Arístides and DJ Adam Lord, to later give way to Café Quijano at 10:00 p.m.

The Museum of Fine Arts will extend its hours on Friday until 10:00 p.m., while the play 'Gregor's Metamorphosis' will be performed at the Guimerá Theater at 8:20 p.m. on Friday, admission free, and both in the TEA Tenerife Espacio de Las Artes and in the Museum of Nature and Archeology you can attend different exhibitions.

The day on Saturday April 1 will begin at 10:00 am in almost twenty venues. 

In Plaza del Príncipe there will be a space for children's activities, with scientific workshops and storytelling, as well as Zumba Kids, a Disney photocall, a performance by Los Piojillos and a magic performance, while Plaza de España will house a children's playroom and the Atlantic Market.

In the concert section, the stage of the Plaza de La Candelaria will begin its activity at 6:00 p.m. and its highlight will be the performance of Revólver, which is scheduled for 10:00 p.m.

In turn, on the stage of the Plaza del Chicharro the concerts will begin at 1:00 p.m., with names such as Los Rolling del Son, The Blue Moon Cats or Swingverwenzas.

The stage on Avenida Anaga, located on the esplanade of Avenida Marítimo, will bring together names from the Old School, under The Rave Kulture label, such as DJ Jonay, Kruger, Beat Creator, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. , DJ Avero or DJ Roger; In addition, it will be complemented by various activities, exhibitions and markets, such as the Vinyl Fair, El Despertar de lo Retro and Plenunio Urbano, which will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Another of the strong points of the weekend will be Le Good Market, which, as every year, will be located in the García Sanabria park, on Saturday and Sunday, and where you can find a wide gastronomic and craft offer, combined with spaces for music and games.

The Nuestra Señora de África Market will also open its doors on Saturday from 7:00 p.m., with a program of musical performances and gastronomic offers.

In the Bulevar park there will be scientific workshops and bouncy castles; the Casa del Carnaval will host workshops and conduct guided tours, while the Almeyda Historical and Military Museum has programmed a long list of activities that will take place on Saturday, such as the Historical Reenactment of the Second World War or the Historical Re-enactment of the Admiral Horacio Nelson's attack on Santa Cruz.

In cultural activities on Saturday, the Museum of Fine Arts have five screenings of the play "Las Meninas"; the Museum of Nature and Archaeology holds exhibitions on Fridays; the TEA adds lunar workshops for people over 6 years of age and the projection of a film; and the General Headquarters of the Canary Islands Command will also carry out its own program of activities.

For Sunday, Plenilunio Santa Cruz will have the spaces of Le Good Market in the García Sanabria park, the children's area in the Plaza del Príncipe, the market and the playroom in the Plaza de España and the activities and exhibitions on the esplanade of the Anaga Avenue.

There will also be several parades that will run through the city centre on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2, from 12:00 to 19:00.

El Plenilunio 2023 será acogido por 17 emplazamientos

April 2023 also begins with the events of Easter, starting with Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) on Sunday, 2 April. There are two public holidays this month: April 6 for Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) and April 7 for Viernes Santo (Good Friday).

Whilst every town and village will have it’s own celebrations, one of the main events on the island during Easter is the re-enactment of the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross), the depiction of the Passion of Christ that is performed in Adeje every Good Friday. There are also the Easter Processions in La Laguna, as well as the Pascua Florida in Guía de Isora that takes place over the four days from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. See: Easter Week Dates Tenerife.

La Pasión returns to Calle Grande de Adeje

La Pasión de Adeje is one of the most unique and identifying cultural events in the municipality, as well as being one of the events in which more of the people from the town participate. This year around 300 amateur actors and actresses are taking part, in addition to the technical and logistical staff that contribute to this representation.

La Pasión will be broadcast nationally by 13 Televisión, as will Televisión Canaria and Mírame Televisión and the social networks of the Adeje City Council itself.

The theatrical work of almost two hours duration, takes place in Calle Grande and Plaza de España in Adeje, beginning in the Plaza de la Cruz del Llano, where the last supper takes place. Along the Calle Grande, the scenes that represent the last moments of the life of Jesus are depicted, among them the trial of Pontius Pilate; Herod; the meeting with Judas; the prayer on the Mount of Olives, until the culmination of the work, in Plaza España where two crosses are constructed with the Barranco del Infierno (Ravine of Hell) as a backdrop. In the middle will rise the third and last cross where Jesus, played by the actor Ignacio de La Lastra, will give his last words. At the bottom awaits the Virgin Mary, played by Ana Oneida Borges Medina, together with María de Cleofás who will be played by Sonnibel Mendoza, Saint John played by Gabriele Zizzi and María Magdalena, whose role is embodied by Ania González, putting an end to this shocking play.

This year, the most significant novelty will be the incorporation of a new scene, the expulsion of the merchants from the temple, because in the judgment of Jesus Christ, with their purchases and sales, they dishonour the Father in the place where he should be most honoured. In this scene you can see a different Jesus, more intense and concerned about purity of faith.

La Pasión vuelve a la Calle Grande de Adeje en su formato habitual

In La Laguna, The Board of Brotherhoods of San Cristóbal de La Laguna celebrates 70 years of activity this year. It is an especially significant event, since nothing else contributes so decisively to magnify the solemnities of Holy Week as this close link. The involvement of Brotherhoods, constitutes a deeply rooted social movement, which is passed from generation to generation and which forms one of the main hallmarks of this celebration in the municipality.

In 2023 full normality in public events and gatherings is recovered. The streets of La Laguna are therefore reunited with their processions without restrictions. There is a full program, well book really, with 77 beautifully illustrated pages (in Spanish) that can be downloaded from the town hall (PDF). However, the two main processions on Good Friday 7 April 2023, are the Procesión Magna, which leaves from La Laguna Cathedral, at 5 pm and, from the same place, the Procesión del Silencio (Silent Procession) at 10 pm.

This year the Pascua Florida will once again fill the streets of the Guía de Isora town centre with floral art, theatre and music between April 6 and 9, in a unique event in Spain that, during Holy Week, links religious tradition and artistic avant-garde.

Culinary Easter Traditions include a Mocha Cake on Holy Tuesday; Sancocho for lunch and a Sardine sandwich between parades on Good Friday.

The 3rd edition of Burger Fest Tenerife is taking place on 14, 15 & 16 April 2023 in and around the Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna, an event that combines music, gastronomy and an important sample of world beers. There's Free Admission, Gourmet Burgers, Craft Beers, Live music and DJs. True to its philosophy, Burger Fest will have a wide representation of burger restaurants from the Canary Islands, on this occasion more than 25 representatives; in addition to a wide representation of Canarian craft beers and international samples, as well as food trucks.

Los ‘dj’ Krusty Killer y Madmax compartirán cabina en la próxima edición del Burger Fest de La Laguna

The Tenerife Rally Season 2023 opens on April 15 with the Orvecame-Norte Rally.

Puerto de la Cruz prepares to host Holi, a very special celebration for the Hindu community of the city. Hand in hand with Club India with its president Sunil Rijhwani at the helm, a festive day is being prepared for this coming April 16 to celebrate this festivity of the rich Hindu culture, the festival of colours, which is celebrated every year around the months March and April in India and Nepal, and that this year will also be in Puerto de la Cruz "another recognition to the Hindu community that has been part of the identity of this municipality for many years", stressed mayor Marco González.

April is Wine Month in Tequeste each year, which adds interesting events to the schedule, that usually includes tastings and most likely a tapas route.

The XVI edition of the Route of the Way of Hermano Pedro is on April 22

The Ruta del Camino del Hermano Pedro will once again cover, as has been the tradition for 16 years, the 19 kilometres that run between Vilaflor and the religious space of the Cave in Granadilla de Abona on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Prior registration is required and is open online on the municipal websites of the two southern consistories, of Granadilla de Abona and Vilaflor de Chasna.

La XVI edición de la Ruta del Camino del Hermano Pedro se celebra el 22 de abril

Fiestas celebrated in April include: Virgen de La Piedad: End of April / beginning of May in El Calvario, El Sauzal; Fiestas de San Alejo, the final days of April and 1st May in El Tanque; La Milagrosa, 3rd or 4th week of April in Chiguergue, Guía de Isora; San Marcos Evangelista, 25 April in Icod de los Vinos; 23rd April - San Jorge in El Farrobo, La Guancha; San Blas, 1st April in Chamaina, La Matanza de Ajentejo; Fiestas in honour of San José, from 28 April to 1 May in San José, Los Silos; Hermano San Pedro, 25 April in Vilaflor de Chasna. San Marcos Evangelista in Tegueste - The romería is celebrated on a Sunday close to 25 April (30 Apr 2023). The fiesta includes activities such as the Romería, folklore festival, Election of the Queen of the Fiestas, Country Dance and livestock fair.

Romerías in April include the following:

• 30/04/23 Romería de San Marcos – Tegueste

Municipal holidays in April in Tenerife:

• 24 Apr: Santo Hermano Pedro in Vilaflor de Chasna
• 25 Apr: San Marcos Evangelista in Icod de los Vinos and Tegueste

During the pandemic these municipal holidays would only mean that shops and town halls in the mentioned areas would be closed, but now are back to providing us clues to the dates of important fiestas that are celebrated in those towns.

Tenerife in March 2023

A perfect dome of Spring Daisies

Carnival in Santa Cruz is over, Easter isn't until April and there are no public holidays in March. With the big carnivals in the north having come to an end, the party moves to the south of the island with the biggest carnivals being those in Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes, both of which had been paralysed during the pandemic.

Thursday 2 March, the starting signal for Carnival of Candelaria, the theme of which is The Great Carnival Circus, will be given with the Gala, at 8:00 p.m., in the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias. This first event will bring together the Comparsa Infantil Tropicana, Batucada Almagec, Comparsa Tropicana, Agrupación Antón Guanche, Odali Club Deportivo, Ballet de Loren Díaz en Paralelo Danza and the Municipal School of Latin Rhythms, as well as Dreams Drags, Drag Hocklin and Miriam Reyes. On Friday, 3 March dance to the Corinthian Band Orchestra and a special performance by the Puerto Rican singer Edwin Rivera, accompanied by the Sabrosa orchestra. For more details, see Program for Candelaria Carnival 2023 (in Spanish).

On Sunday, 5 March the Día Grande Explosión del Carnaval (Explosion of Carnival), part of the Carnaval Cultural de La Laguna, with exhibitions and parades and, from 3 pm in the Plaza de La Concepción a Great Masked Ball with Moise González, Virginia Guantanamera, Rafael Flores, Lucrecia and Edwin Rivera.

Carnaval Los Gigantes 2023, under the theme The World of Musicals, is to run from Friday, March 3rd to Saturday, March 11th 2023. According to the program, the adult carnival queen will be chosen on Friday, 3rd; the junior carnival queen on Saturday, 4th and the Coso del Carnival (Carnival Main Parade) is taking place on Sunday, 5 March 2023. The Burial of the Sardine and Widow's Ball has been scheduled for the following weekend, on Friday 10 March and there will be Carnaval de Día (Daytime Carnival) events to close the Los Gigantes Carnival 2023 on Saturday, 11 March.

Five candidates will aspire to be crowned as Adult Queen of the Carnival of Los Gigantes 2023, whose election gala will take place, on Friday, 3 March, from 9:00 p.m., in the Buganvilla de Los Gigantes square. Los Joroperos, Laura Lou, the Epsylon ballet, singer Miriam Reyes and Argel Campos will all perform at the Gala, which will also feature a special performance by singer Henry Méndez.

Granadilla Carnival is being celebrated during the first fortnight of March 2023, under the theme 'Around the world in a Carnival', until March 12 with a wide program of events in different parts of the municipality and for all audiences. The starting signal, on 1 March, is the Announcing Parade in Los Abrigos. On 2 March, the Grand Gala for the Election of the Queen will take place, in Los Hinojeros park, starting at 8:00 p.m., in which five young people will compete for the title of queen.

One of the most popular events is the Gran Coso Apotheosis (Carnival Main Parade), which will take place on Saturday afternoon, March 4 from Mencey de Abona avenue to Los Hinojeros Park. And on the 12th, the Burial of the Sardine and the Widows Ball, with the Sabrosa orchestra.

More details: Programa de actos ‘La Vuelta al Mundo en un Carnaval’

Los Cristianos Carnival 2023, is between 17 and 27 March 2023, with their Coso Apoteosis (Carnival Main Parade) on Sunday, 26 March 2023. 

The festivities will begin on Friday, March 17; the Announcing Parade along the Golden Mile of Playa de las Américas is on Saturday, March 18; continue with a Carnival Parade on Sunday, March 19 and the Main Parade on Sunday, March 26. Other shows will be the Drag Night, Daytime Carnival, Beach Route and various activities, culminating with the Burial of the Sardine on Monday, March 27. 

More detail in the Program for International Carnival in Los Cristianos 2023

Güímar will start the El Puertito Carnival on Saturday, 11 March.

On Sunday, 5 March, Arona celebrates the traditional Rogativa de la Lluvia

Arona renews the tradition of taking the image of the Santísimo Cristo de la Salud to Montaña Frías to ask for the rains that guarantee the prosperity of the primary sector, which is known as the Rogativa de la Lluvia (Prayer for Rain), which was resumed in 2016 after of some years of abandonment. After two years without being able to celebrate due to the pandemic, this traditional procession returns on the first Sunday of March.

The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the parish of San Antonio Abad, from where the image of Cristo de la Salud will go in procession through the streets of the town centre, until it reaches the chapel of the Virgen de la Milagrosa, where the Eucharist will be celebrated at 11:00. Once finished, the procession will continue to Montaña Frías, where at 12:00 noon there will be a tribute and musical offering to the Santísimo Cristo de la Salud by the Municipal School of Folklore of Arona, in addition to the reading of the prayer and the blessing of attendees. 

Arona celebra este domingo la tradicional Rogativa de la Lluvia

Sunday, 19th March 2023 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.

San José: is celebrated around 19th March, in San José, El Sauzal; in El Tanque; there are also Fiestas of San José, in Yaco, Granadilla de Abona.

March 21st is the Anniversary of the birth, in 1626, of Hermano Pedro, first Guatemalan and Tenerifean saint, in Vilaflor, Tenerife.

Romerías in March include the following:

• 18/03/23 Romería de San José (Barranco Hondo) – Candelaria
• 26/03/23 Romería del Portezuelo - Tegueste

There are no municipal holidays in Tenerife in March.