Carnivals in Tenerife
If you’re looking for an exotic and vibrant carnival experience, look no further than Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Every year, the island hosts one of the biggest and most famous carnivals in the world, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe.
The Tenerife Carnival is a celebration of music, dance, costume and culture. It takes place over several weeks, with the main events happening in late February or early March. The highlight of the carnival is the Gala Election of the Carnival Queen, where women from all over the island compete for the coveted title. Expect to see outrageously elaborate and colourful costumes, and be prepared to be blown away by the sheer talent and beauty of the contestants.
The carnival isn’t just a spectator sport, however. Visitors are encouraged to get involved and participate in the festivities. There are parades where you can dance through the streets, and plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Canarian cuisine and drinks. The bars and clubs in Tenerife really come alive during carnival season, with live music, DJ sets and parties lasting well into the early hours of the morning.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Tenerife during carnival season, be sure to experience it in all its glory. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed.
Día de los Reyes Magos in Gran Canaria
If you’re in Gran Canaria during the early days of January, then you must witness the spectacular celebration of “Día de los Reyes Magos”. Also known as the “Three Wise Men Day,” this festival is celebrated on January 6th all over Spain, and it’s one of the most important occasions in the Canary Islands.
The celebration of Día de los Reyes Magos has its roots in Christian traditions. The festival is held to commemorate the epiphany when the Three Wise Men visited Bethlehem and brought gifts to Baby Jesus. It is a festive day celebrating the arrival of the three wise men, called Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, who bring presents to children.
On this day, a colorful and vibrant parade takes place in Gran Canaria, where thousands of people line up along the streets to watch the procession led by the three wise men. The parade includes beautifully decorated floats, marching bands, and performers dressed in traditional costumes. You’ll witness street performances, music, and dancing, and the atmosphere is electric.
The highlight of the festival is when the three wise men enter the city, riding on their camels and throwing candies and toys to children. Families often gather together to watch the parade, and it’s a day when children receive presents from “Los Reyes Magos”.
If you want to enjoy the festival to the fullest, make sure to arrive early to find a spot on the street for better views. You’ll witness the excitement of children waiting for candies and toys while enjoying the parade. If you want to embrace the local traditions, don’t forget to try the typical “Roscón de Reyes” – a sweet bread decorated with fruit and eaten on this special day.
In conclusion, “Día de los Reyes Magos” is a must-see event for anyone visiting Gran Canaria in January. It’s an enchanting day filled with excitement, traditions, and lots of happy faces all around. So, make sure to mark your calendar for this unique celebration that you don’t want to miss.
The Corpus Christi in La Orotava
One of the most impressive festivals celebrated in the Canary Islands is the Corpus Christi in La Orotava, Tenerife. This festival has been declared a National Tourist Interest and is a must-visit event for anyone who wants to experience the culture of this beautiful archipelago.
Corpus Christi is celebrated in June in honor of the body of Christ, and La Orotava’s version of the festivity is particularly impressive. The celebration is based on a centuries-old tradition where religious and cultural traditions converge, resulting in a colorful and awe-inspiring display.
During the Corpus Christi festival in La Orotava, the streets of the town become the stage for a one-of-a-kind show. The main event is the decoration of the streets with elaborate carpets made of sand, flowers, and volcanic ash. The designs are intricate and artistic, depicting both religious and cultural elements that make the town unique.
The construction of these carpets is a laborious task and requires the participation of the entire town. People gather a week before the festivity to collect sand, flowers, and volcanic ash to create the designs. The entire process is done by hand and is a great opportunity for families and neighbors to come together and enjoy themselves.
Another highlight of the Corpus Christi in La Orotava is the religious procession where the decorated streets become the stage for a parade filled with flowers, musicians, and dancers. The procession culminates with a religious ceremony in the city’s magnificent Cathedral, where the bishop blesses the participants and the public.
In conclusion, the Corpus Christi festival in La Orotava is a spectacle that shouldn’t be missed. It’s a perfect opportunity to delve into the traditions and culture of the Canary Islands, as well as the beauty of the architectural heritage of Tenerife.
Fiesta de San Juan in Alicante
If you want to experience a magical midsummer night, head to Alicante and join the Fiesta de San Juan. This festival takes place on the night of June 23rd, which is the summer solstice, and is celebrated throughout Spain with bonfires and fireworks.
The people of Alicante take their San Juan festival seriously, and it’s known as one of the biggest and most festive events in the country. The city comes alive with music and dancing, and locals and tourists alike gather together to enjoy the festivities.
The traditional way to celebrate San Juan is to gather with friends and family on the beach, where bonfires are lit and effigies are burned. Some people even take a dip in the sea at midnight to cleanse themselves of their sins and bad luck from the previous year.
But the celebrations don’t stop there – the party continues until dawn as people move from beach to beach, stopping to enjoy live music and drinks along the way.
If you’re lucky enough to be in Alicante for San Juan, don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience this magical night for yourself.
The Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves in La Palma
La Palma is a small island in the Canary Islands that has a rich culture and traditions. One of the most famous festivals in La Palma is the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, also known as the Descent of the Virgin Mary of the Snows. This festival is celebrated every five years and it is one of the most important events on the island.
The Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves is a religious festival that dates back to the 16th century. The festival is a celebration of the Virgin Mary’s descent from the heavens to be with her people. The festival lasts for several weeks, during which time the streets of La Palma are filled with music, dancing and colorful processions.
The highlight of the festival is the moment when the statue of the Virgin Mary is brought down from the sanctuary of Las Nieves to the city of Santa Cruz de La Palma. The statue is carried by a group of men known as the “santos,” who have been chosen for their strength and devotion to the Virgin Mary. The procession is accompanied by fireworks, music, and thousands of people who come to witness the event.
During the festival, there are also several other activities that take place, such as traditional Canarian dances, bullfights, and sports competitions. The streets are decorated with flowers, and locals wear traditional costumes as a show of respect to the Virgin Mary.
If you’re planning to visit La Palma during the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance, as the festival attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of Canarian culture and traditions.
The Fiestas de Mayo in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of Gran Canaria, hosts one of the most famous festivals in the Canary Islands – the Fiestas de Mayo. This festival is a month-long celebration that takes place in the heart of the city and attracts visitors from all around the world.
The Fiestas de Mayo is a vibrant and colorful celebration that honors the city’s patron saint – San Fernando. The festival marks various events, including the commemoration of the city’s founding, the arrival of spring and the beginning of the agricultural season.
The festival is filled with various activities and events that appeal to people of all ages. Among the activities are traditional dance and music shows, parades, street performances, exhibitions, and fairs. One of the highlights of the Fiestas de Mayo is the international flower exhibition where participants showcase their most beautiful flowers displays and compete for the title of the best display.
The streets of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are also filled with food stalls that offer a wide range of local delicacies, including tapas, seafood, and local wines. The festival attracts not only locals but also visitors from all around the world who come to enjoy the festive atmosphere, the amazing food, and the spectacular shows.
Moreover, visitors can also witness the Baile de Taifa, a traditional dance that sees the participation of the city’s young people. The dance is performed after sunset and is one of the highlights of the festival. The dance depicts a love story between a Christian king and a Muslim princess and is accompanied by a unique fusion of music.
The Fiestas de Mayo is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated festivals in the Canary Islands, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the perfect place to experience it. So if you’re planning to visit Gran Canaria, mark your calendars for the month of May and indulge in the vibrant and colorful celebrations of the Fiestas de Mayo!
The Fiesta de San Andrés in Tenerife
If you’re looking for a wild and unique festival experience, look no further than the Fiesta de San Andrés in Tenerife, one of the most famous festivals in the Canary Islands. Held every November, this festival has its roots in farmers’ celebrations of their harvest, but it has evolved into something much more raucous and fun.
The Fiesta de San Andrés is a night of celebration centered around wine, as well as the local traditions and culture of Tenerife. The festivities kick off in the afternoon, when people gather grapes from the vineyards and make their way to the local town square. Once everyone is there, the real fun begins.
The main event of the festival is the “zurra,” a ritual where wine is poured freely into cups or bottles held up by participants. The idea is to drink as much wine as you can before it spills or drips down your arm. This is not a sophisticated wine-tasting affair, but a joyful and often chaotic celebration with lots of singing, shouting, and general merrymaking.
Another highlight of the Fiesta de San Andrés is the procession of the “carros engalanados,” traditional decorated carts pulled by oxen, which carry people through the streets. The carts are adorned with flowers, ribbons, and other decorations, and it’s a great way to experience the charm and traditions of Tenerife.
At the end of the night, the festivities close with a grand fireworks display, lighting up the sky and marking the end of another successful Fiesta de San Andrés. Whether you’re a wine lover, a culture enthusiast, or just looking for an unforgettable party, this festival should definitely be on your bucket list.
Carnivals in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
If you are planning a trip to the Canary Islands, you must not miss the vibrant carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This carnival is known to be one of the most exciting and colorful carnivals in the world, attracting thousands of tourists every year.
The carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is celebrated every February, for a period of almost three weeks. The streets of the city are filled with music, dances, and colorful costumes making it a festive environment. The carnival has a different theme every year, and you will be amazed to see how the entire city comes together in the same theme, and each float is carefully designed to fit that specific theme.
The highlight of the carnival in Las Palmas is the “Gala Drag Queen” competition. This is a unique competition where drag queens from all over the world come to compete, and the winner gets to take home the crown for a whole year. The competition is a must-see event and fills up fast, so make sure you book the tickets in advance if you want to enjoy the show.
The carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also known for its street parties, known as “Murgas”. These parties are held in different parts of the city, and the locals come together to dance and sing to the beats of the music. Be sure to join in the festivities and let loose while enjoying the vibrancy of the carnival.
One of the unique features of this carnival is the “Burial of the Sardine”. It is a parade where people dress up, holding sardines made out of paper or cardboard, and walk through the streets of Las Palmas. At the end of the parade, the sardines are ceremoniously “buried,” symbolizing the end of the carnival.
Overall, the carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a must-see event, and it’s easy to see why it attracts tourists from all over the world. The energy, music, colors, and non-stop parties make it an unforgettable experience for everyone that attends.
The Romería de la Virgen del Pino in Gran Canaria
One of the most renowned festivals in the Canary Islands is the Romería de la Virgen del Pino, which is celebrated annually in September in Gran Canaria. This fiesta is a religious pilgrimage that attracts thousands of locals and tourists from all over the world.
The event is a grand procession of people who dress in traditional Canarian attire and carry offerings to the Cueva de la Virgen del Pino, a holy shrine located in the mountains of Teror. The devotees walk for hours, covering a distance of around 14km, to offer flowers and fruits to the statue of the Virgin Mary.
The festive mood is enhanced by the sound of folk music, which is played on traditional instruments like the timple, the guitar, and the tambourine. Many participants dance and sing along as they make their way to the shrine. It is a perfect opportunity to witness the vibrant and lively culture of the Canary Islands.
This event is not just about religious devotion or a cultural celebration, but it is also a chance for people to socialize and indulge in Canarian cuisine. Various food and drink stalls line the streets, serving up local delicacies like papas arrugadas, gofio, and chorizo al vino. The aromatic smell of grilled meat and the sweet scent of pastries fill the air, tempting all visitors to satisfy their taste buds.
The Romería de la Virgen del Pino has strong historical roots as it is believed that the Virgin Mary saved the inhabitants of Gran Canaria from a plague in the 15th century. Celebrating this festival has become a way of expressing gratitude to the Virgin for her benefaction.
Overall, the Romería de la Virgen del Pino is an experience that one should not miss if they are in Gran Canaria during September. The festival is a unique blend of religion, culture, and cuisine that offers a glimpse of Canarian life and beliefs.
El Entierro de la Sardina in Murcia
Looking for a festival with a unique cultural experience? Look no further than El Entierro de la Sardina in Murcia, one of the most famous festivals celebrated in the Canary Islands.
The festival takes place on the last day of carnival season, and it is a satirical take on a funeral procession. The festival-goers dress in mourning clothes, and they carry a giant sardine through the streets, followed by a parade of floats, costumes, and music.
Traditionally, the sardine was meant to represent the excess of Carnival before the beginning of the Lent period. As such, at the end of the parade, the sardine is burned on a massive bonfire, symbolizing the end of excess and the beginning of the Lenten season.
But, the festival isn’t just about the burning of the sardine. There are brightly-coloured floats, masked characters, and street performers who add to the spectacle of the festival. And, like any good festival, there are plenty of food and drink stalls lining the streets, offering up traditional Spanish fare, like churros and tapas.
If you’re planning on attending El Entierro de la Sardina, keep in mind that it is a popular festival, so be sure to arrive early to secure a good spot to watch the parade. And, as the festival takes place at the end of February or beginning of March, it is important to pack warm clothing as it can still be chilly in the Canary Islands at that time of year.
All in all, El Entierro de la Sardina is a unique and unforgettable Festival that perfectly captures the lively spirit of the Canary Islands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Canary Islands are home to numerous vibrant festivals and celebrations that showcase the rich culture,
