Not only is it a place with an exceptional climate, beautiful beaches and lush nature: the Canary Islands is also home to a host of centuries-old traditions and cultural celebrations that are still celebrated today. A facet of the islands that increasingly more visitors seek in order discover more about the Canarian character.
Participate in its traditional festivals, share in the fervour of its religious celebrations, move to the sound of its cultural dances and taste the typical products from each region. Only then can you truly know the Canary Islands.
THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE CANARY ISLANDS
/
TRADITION
AND RELIGION
Religion and culture have been closely linked throughout Europe’s history. It is therefore unsurprising that some of its most colourful celebrations are religious based. However, all are open to the public and visitors are more than welcome.
Bajada
de la Virgen
de los Reyes
El Hierro
El Hierro celebrates this much-anticipated festival every four years on the first Saturday of July. A colourful procession that is joined by dozens of dancers as it passes through towns from Dehesa de Sabinosa to the capital, Valverde.
Fiestas de la
Bajada de la Virgen
de las Nieves
La Palma
Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest, this event is celebrated every five years on the island of La Palma. Don’t miss the Baile de los Enanos (Dance of the Dwarves), who dance the night away to the beat of the Polca Recova as it moves down Calle Real to reach the Barco de la Virgen at dawn.
See event>Bajada
de la Virgen
de Guadalupe
La Gomera
If you’re in La Gomera during this festival, which is celebrated every five years, you'll get a chance to witness a procession of fishing boats that escort the Virgen de Guadalupe from her sanctuary in Puntallana to the capital of the island. You can still celebrate on off years at the "Oktoberfest", which includes a procession around the Virgin’s shrine.
See event>Corpus Christi
in La Orotava
Tenerife
Thousands of visitors stroll through La Orotava over six days during Corpus Christi to see the streets covered with colourful carpets made with flowers and sand. Don’t miss the spectacular tapestry in the square in front of the town hall, made with natural sand from Teide National Park.
See event>La Rama
in Agaete
Gran Canaria
Thousands of people gather every 5 August in Agaete, Gran Canaria, each holding a piece of a branch that is shaken in a type of rain dance as the procession makes it way to the Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves. If you visit the town during the festival you are welcome to join the “cabezudos papahuevos” (big heads) that lead the way.
See event>Fiestas de la Virgen
de la Peña
Fuerteventura
One of the oldest festivals celebrated in the Canary Islands. Its main event, the romería (pilgrimage), is performed in honour of “La Peñita”, the term of endearment the inhabitants of Fuerteventura use to speak about their patron saint. Island music and food accompany the Virgin to her shrine.
See event>Romería
de los Dolores
Lanzarote
Lanzarote puts on its best traditional galas to celebrate this procession in honour of the Virgen de los Dolores. The pilgrimage begins at dawn at many points of the island to meet in Mancha Blanca, right at the spot where the Virgin worked her miracle: stopping the lava from Timanfaya.
See event>Visit our calendar to stay up-to-date on everything happening in the Canary Islands.