Even though September usually marks the end of the holidays, with everyone going back to school or work, there’s still a lot to enjoy in the Canary Islands. In the ninth month of the year, which is the transition point between the end of summer and the start of autumn, we find an average temperature of 27 ºC here, perfect for calmly enjoying the sun, the beach and an abundance of open-air activities that can be done during the 11 daily hours of sunlight. There’s more than enough light for walking around vineyards, making the most of grape-picking time, and participating in the festivities in honour of the patron saints of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Grape-picking time
The origin of vineyards in the Canary Islands dates back to the arrival of the Spanish conquerors between the 14th and 15th centuries. It was the colonists who brought a wide variety of grapes that, with time, evolved and adapted to the characteristic climate of the islands. Of all of them, the volcanic Malvasia and the Listán Negro are the ones that have contributed the most to the fame currently enjoyed by the archipelago’s wines.
Summer activities
Although it is officially autumn, the pleasant temperatures in the Canary Islands make it possible to keep enjoying summer activities in September, such as swimming, doing water-sports, having dinner outside in the open air… The fantastic Canary Islands climate makes you want to wander around coastal places, discover some of the Canary Islands’ virgin beaches or take a boat out to watch the whales and dolphins.
Fiestas del Pino
Named after their patron saint, the ‘Virgen del Pino’, it is the most important festivity in the town of Teror and also Gran Canaria. According to legend, an image of the virgin suddenly appeared over a giant pine tree growing in the town square. The festivity surrounding this image has turned into a great pilgrimage and the old pilgrims now come to the centre of town on wagons carrying produce of the land that they offer to Our Lady in her splendorous basilica amid the sound of ‘parrandas’, the dancing and the joy of the thousands of people that come to this event each year, without fail.
Romería de los Dolores
These are the festivities for the patron saint of Lanzarote, the ‘Virgen de los Dolores’, also known on the island as ‘Our Lady of the Volcanoes’. Her pilgrimage, one of the main festivities in Tinajo, sees hundreds of pilgrims from all across the island gather in Mancha Blanca, where her shrine is found. Amid devotion, folklore and palpable joy, participants march on foot, wearing their best traditional dress and pulling carts full of offerings for Our Lady and food and drink for the journey. Once they reach their destination, the festivities begin: ‘timples’ (instruments), ‘folías’ (songs), cheese, local wine and the traditional pilgrim’s dance. The cherry to top an unforgettable day of festivities.
The Patron Saint of Fuerteventura
During this month, specifically on the third Saturday of September, the festivities in honour of the patron saint of Fuerteventura are celebrated in honour of the ‘Virgen de la Peña’, one of the oldest patrons of the Canary Islands who, according to legend, came out from inside an unbreakable rock when San Diego pointed at a specific point on it and it shattered. She is honoured as she should be, with a great pilgrimage to the sound of the ‘timples’, guitars and songs that accompany the statue of Our Lady to the shrine that bears her name in Vegas del Río.
