Tenerife in October 2017

The goat, mascot of the Spanish Legion, seen here in the military parade on October 12.
By CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0]

October 12 is celebrated as the National Day or Fiesta Nacional de Espana in Spain. It is also called Hispanic Day or the Dia de la Hispanidad. Since 2000, October 12 has also been Spain's Day of the Armed Forces, celebrated with a military parade in Madrid. October 12 is a National Public holiday in Spain.

There are the following Municipal Public Holidays in October:

• 2 October: Festivity of Santísimo Cristo de la Salud in Arona.
• 9 October: Festivity of Santa Úrsula, Patrona de la Villa in Adeje.
• 6 October: Festivity of Santísimo Cristo del Calvario in El Tanque.
• 21 October: Día de Santa Úrsula, Patron in Santa Úrsula.
• 25 October: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios in Buenavista del Norte.

And the following fiestas are celebrated in October:

• Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación in Adeje.
• Nuestra Señora del Rosario on 3 October in Fasnia.
• Nuestra Señora del Rosario on 7 October in El Rosario.
• Fiestas del Pilar on 12 October in Granadilla.
• Fiestas of Cristo del Calvario from 15 to 20 October in El Tanque.
• Fiestas Patronales on 21 October in Santa Úrsula.
• Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza 22 to 24 Oct in La Guancha. 
• Fiestas de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios on 24 October in Buenavista del Norte.

Tenerife in September 2017

Cristo de La Laguna. By elduendesuarez (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0]

The biggest celebrations are the Fiestas de Cristo in La Laguna, now in it's 410th year, as the justices had first declared 14th September a day of celebration in 1607, motivated by the miracles attributed to the Cristo de La Laguna.

The main events being, from around 8pm on 13th September from the Plaza de la Concepción, is the Caballitos de Fuegos y pandorgas (chariots of fire parade with giants and floats), culminating in fireworks from the Montaña de San Roque at midnight. On 14th September from 11pm there are the Fuegos del Risco y la traca - traditional noisy firework display - and the arrival of the image of the Holy Christ to the square after a procession through the streets of the city. And on 16th September in the Plaza del Cristo is the Reggae Can Festival.

September begins with the annual Pinolere Craft Fair, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd September, held at the Parque Etnográfico de Pinolere in La Orotava. 

September is a month without any national public holidays, however, there are a number of Municipal Public Holidays:

• 4 September: Fiesta of the patron in La Victoria de Acentejo.
• 7 September: Festivity of Nuestra Señora del Socorro in Güímar.
• 8 September: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de Abona in Arico.
• 8 September: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de la Luz in Los Silos.
• 8 September: Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Tegueste.
• 11 September: Fiesta of San José in San Juan de la Rambla.
• 14 September: Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna in La Laguna.
• 18 September: Santísimo Cristo de la Dulce Muerte in Guía de Isora.
• 29 September: San Miguel Arcángel in San Miguel de Abona.

Elsewhere this month sees the following events: on 7th September there's the Romería Bajada del Socorro in Güímar; the Fiestas patronales en honor a la Virgen de La Luz de la Villa de Los Silos the biggest day of which is on 8th September; also on the 8th is the Fiesta of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios in Tegueste, on 17th September there's the Romería en Honor a San José in San Juan de La Rambla, on 21st September the Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Luz is celebrated in Guía de Isora as well as the Fiestas del Santísimo Cristo in Tacoronte and also during the second half of the month, will be the Fiestas de Ntra Sra de la Consolación in the village and valley of El Palmar. 

Tenerife in August 2017

Guanche statue in Candelaria

The 15th August is a national public holiday for Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption). August is a month that's packed with fiestas and romerías, but the biggest is the Peregrinación a Candelaria (pilgrimage) and fiestas in Candelaria, which take place on the 14th and 15th of August. The most popular part 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.

August fiesta dates for your diary:

• 6th August: Fiestas Patronales in La Matanza de Acentejo.
• 7th August: Romería in honour of Ntra. Sra. de La Esperanza in La Esperanza
• 13th August: Bajada de las Hayas in honour of Ntra. Señora de La Esperanza in La Guancha.
• 15th August:  Pilgrimage to the Basílica de Nrta. Señora de La Candelaria in Candelaria
• 16th August: Romería de San Roque in Garachico.
• 17th - 25th August: Fiestas de Santa Barbara in Icod de los Vinos.
• 21st August: Fiestas of San Joaquín (Joachim) in Fasnia.
• 24th August: Fiestas of San Bartolomé in Buenavista del Norte.
•  24th August: Fiestas of San Bartolomé in Tejina, La Laguna - Fiesta de Los Corazones de Tejina (Hearts of Tejina) .
• 26th August: Romería de San Agustín in Arafo (on the last Saturday).
• 28th - 29th August: Fiestas of María Auxiliadora in Fasnia.
• 30th August: Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) in El Tanque.

Municipal Public Holidays in August:

• 7 August: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza in El Rosario.
• 7 August: Día de El Salvador in La Matanza de Acentejo.
• 16 August: Festivity of San Roque in Garachico.
• 21 August: Fiesta Patronal de San Joaquín in Fasnia.
• 21 August: Monday of the Fiestas Patronales in La Guancha.
• 24 August: Festivity of San Bartolomé in Buenavista del Norte.
• 28 August: Festivity of San Bernardo in Arafo.
• 28 August: Festivity of San Roque y San Agustín in Vialflor. 
• 31 August: Festivity of Nuestra Señora de Buen Viaje in El Tanque

Ceremonia Guanche - Virgen de Candelaria 2017

Tenerife in July 2017

Fiestas de Carmen in Los Realejos. By Javier1989canario (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0]

July is another month with no national public holidays in Tenerife, although there are the following local Municipal Public Holidays in the districts mentioned.

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

The biggest events of July each year are the Fiestas del Carmen held in Puerto de la Cruz. Thousands of people gather to watch the Virgin as she's carried by fishermen onto one of the boats before setting sail on a maritime procession. 

Fiestas and Romerías taking place this month include:

• 9 July: (Second Sunday) Romería of San Benito Abad in La Laguna
• 11 July: Fiestas del Gran Poder de Dios and the Virgen del Carmen (a.k.a. July Fiestas) in Puerto de la Cruz. The Fiestas run right through from 1st - 30th July, but the big day for the Embarkation takes place this year on Tuesday, 11th July. (Always the Tuesday before the 16th.)
• 16 July: Fiestas del Carmen in Los Realejos and Santa Cruz
• 25 July: Fiestas of Santa Ana in Candelaria
• 25 July: Fiestas of Santiago Apóstol in Los Realejos
• 25 July: Commemoration of the Battle of Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz 
• 27 July: Fiestas of San Cristóbal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna

25 July 1797 was a key date for the history of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Island's capital city. This was the day when a major battle broke out against the troops of the British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who tried unsuccessfully to conquer Tenerife, commemorated with a re-enactment of the naval battle.

Recreación Gesta del 25 de Julio de 1797 (2016)

Tenerife in June 2017

Floral carpets in the making in La Orotava

There are no public holidays in Tenerife in June.

Local holidays in individual municipalities in June include:

• 22 June: Infraoctava (the 8th day) of Corpus Christi in La Orotava.
• 24 June: Festivity of San Juan in Los Silos and San Juan de la Rambla.
• 29 June: Festivity of San Pedro Apóstol in El Sauzal and in Güímar.

As for celebrations, rest up at the beginning of the month as it gets busy all at once later on. On Wednesday, 21st June 2017, you will be able to celebrate the Summer solstice at Güímar Pyramids and observe the orientation of the pyramids with the sunset on the horizon, and the famous “double sunset”. 

The Día de alfombras (Day of the Carpets) takes place in La Orotava this year on Thursday, 22nd June 2017. This the day that the townspeople decorate the streets of the town with temporary carpets made from petals and other floral materials, which are then walked on and destroyed by the religious procession in the early evening. One of the most beautiful spectacles and there's no substitute for being there in person, with the ambience and the intoxicating aroma of millions of petals and several tons of toasted pine leaves that pervades the air.

Also on Thursday, 22nd June 2017, pop down to Puerto de la Cruz, where you can see the Enrame de los chorros, where seven old public drinking fountains are decorated with floral and vegetable adornments.

The next evening, Friday, 23rd June 2017, on Playa Jardin, Punta Brava, Puerto de la Cruz, on the Eve of San Juan, the Noche de San Juan, brings together pagan rituals with a free open-air festival of music and bonfires on the beach. Yes, free. In Britain you'd pay hundreds of pounds for similar in a muddy field!

On Saturday, 24th June 2017, watch the baño de las cabras as 300+ goats get their annual, ritual bath in the waters of the old fishing port in Puerto de la Cruz.

Then on Sunday, 25th June 2017, La Orotava celebrates the colourful Romería de San Isidro, one of the largest of these traditional pilgrimages, celebrated in the town ever since the second half of the 17th century.

And, during the second half of June and into July, the Fiestas de San Pedro are celebrated with various galas, music, folklore, etc. The principal areas where this fiesta is celebrated are in El Sauzal and in Güímar.

Romería De La Orotava 2017

Guide to Romerías in Tenerife 2017

Romería La Orotava

Romerías -- a kind of procession with folk dressed in traditional attire, accompanied by traditional singing and dancing - not to mention the free food and even freer flowing wine - in honour of a saint are one of the most colourful and fun ways to enjoy and immerse yourself in some Canarian culture. 

Many of these romerías have been celebrated for centuries and every year there is an ample programme. Some of the below have already passed (the list has only just become available), but I'm including them as it gives an indication for future years. This still doesn't include every single one in every town and village, many of which take place over the summer months, so watch out for them.

January

• 14/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Sebastián – San Sebastián de La Gomera
• 15/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Tigaiga – Los Realejos
• 15/01/2017– Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Arona Casco
• 15/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Chío – Guía de Isora
• 20/01/2017 – Eucaristía in honor of San Sebastián Mártir – Adeje
• 28/01/2017 – Romería Chica in honor of San Antonio Abad y La Virgen de la Esperanza y Baile de Magos – La Florida – La Orotava
• 29/01/2017 – 36th Romería de San Antonio Abad and Virgen de la Esperanza – La Florida – La Orotava 
• 29/01/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Buenavista del Norte

February

• None.

March

• 18/03/2017 - Romería de San José Barranco Hondo - CANDELARIA

April

• 30/04/2017 – Romería de San Marcos – Tegueste

May

• 01/05/2017 – Paseo Romero – Tíncer – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 02/05/2017 –  Baile de Magos – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• 14/05/2017 – Romería in honor of La Virgen de Fátima – Valle San Lorenzo – Arona
• 15/05/2017 – Romería chica San Isidro Labrador – Los Realejos
• 21/05/2017 – Romería el Chorrillo – El Rosario
• 26/05/2017 – Romería La Corujera – Santa Úrsula
• 28/05/2017 – Romería San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza – Los Realejos
• 30/05/2017 – Romería in honor of San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza – Las Mercedes – La Laguna

June

• 11/06/2017 – Romería in honor of San Antonio Abad – Granadilla de Abona
• 23/06/2017 – Baile de Magos – La Orotava
• 24/06/2017 – Subida del Santo – San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de La Cabeza (Romería Chica) – La Orotava
• 25/06/2017 – Romería San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza – La Orotava

July

• 02/07/2017 – Romería in honor of Hermano Pedro – Llano del Moro – El Rosario
• 09/07/2017 – Romería San Benito de Abad – La Laguna
• 16/07/2017 – Embarcación de La Virgen del Carmen – Las Galletas – Arona

August

• 06/08/2017 – Romería in honor of Virgen de La Esperanza – El Rosario
• 15/08/2017 – Peregrinación to the Basílica de Ntra. Sra. De Candelaria
• 16/08/2017 – Romería in honor of San Roque – Garachico
• 20/08/2017 – Romería Barquera in honor of San Casiano – Las Galletas – Arona
• 24/08/2017 – Corazones de Tejina – Tejina
• 26/08/2017 – Romería in honor of San Agustín y posterior Baile de Magos – Arafo

September

• 07/08/2017 - Romería de la Bajada de la Virgen del Socorro in Güímar
• Romería Benijos – LA OROTAVA
• Romeria de San José - SAN JUAN DE LA RAMBLA

October

• 15/10/2017 Romería de Adeje

Facebook group, Ropa de Magos - Traje típico Canario have a comprehensive CALENDARIO de ROMERÍAS y BAILES de MAGOS 2017 en Tenerife, which also includes the various Bailes de Magos - strictly typical costume only.

Guía de Romerías 2017

Tenerife in May 2017

Canarian Architecture

The month of May in Tenerife starts and ends with a pair of public holidays. The first is on Monday, 1st May 2017, for Fiesta del Trabajo (Workers’ Day). At the end of the month, on Tuesday, 30th May 2017, the archipelago celebrates Día de Canarias (Canaries Day), which is the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands' Parliament after the return of democracy in Spain.

May 3rd Día de la Cruz (Festival of the Crosses) is a municipal public holiday in Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz and, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for both the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Commemoration of the Founding of the City. On May 3rd, 1494, Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the military governor, erected a wooden cross on a Santa Cruz beach to officially found the city.

In the capital, as well as in Güímar and other towns, people decorate crosses with flowers and fruits, then place them on the ramblas of the city for everyone's enjoyment. In addition, each district of Santa Cruz (which also celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the city) makes or decorates its own crosses.

Los Realejos celebrates the Day of the Cross with a spectacular display of fireworks, one of the most outstanding in Europe and declared of National Tourist Interest. The two main streets of the town, the streets of El Medio and Del Sol, rival for more than three hours to offer the best pyrotechnic show.

May 5th marks the anniversary, in Garachico, of the 1706 eruption.

In Spain, Día de la Madre (Mother's Day) has been celebrated on the first Sunday in May, since 1965 (previously on 8th December, the day of the Immaculate Conception). This year, Mother's Day in Spain falls on Sunday, 7th May 2017.

Fiestas de la Cruz y enrame de Cruces - Güímar - Mayo del 2015