There are some special occasions that the people of Tenerife celebrate in a big way. We’re talking about festivals, celebrations and other gatherings at which colour, music and traditions are the real stars.
Dressed in traditional costumes and to the sound of popular songs played on timples, drums, bandurrias, tambourines and lutes, the magos and magas (the word once used to refer to local peasants) make their romería pilgrimage.
There are certainly many events in Tenerife worth seeing with your own eyes.
So, today, we’re going to provide a little information about the most peculiar and important events that take place at different points of the island so you can think about going, experiencing the culture and taking part if they coincide with your visit to Tenerife.
Romería pilgrimages in Tenerife
The romería pilgrimages are a true sight to behold. We genuinely recommend that you take part in them wearing the traditional costumes, which are handed down generation-to-generation by the farmers of these lands, with each town boasting its own designs and different openwork garments. Even if you don’t, they are charming spectacles at which you will witness the boundless joy of Tenerife up close and personal.
The most important of these celebrations are:
- On 20 January, La Enramada takes place in Adeje, a unique romería pilgrimage featuring horses and their riders as they travel to the coast for a traditional swim in the sea in honour of their patron saint.
- On the last Sunday of April, the famous “boats” of Tegueste emerge onto the streets. This is a curious seaside tradition in an inland town that dates back to an old custom of having oxen pull boats behind a procession. If you’re in Tenerife at this time, you should definitely go see the Romería de San Marcos.
- In May: La Romería Guanche, Beñesmén. This is a very colourful event that takes place in San Juan de la Rambla and recreates aboriginal culture. From May to June: the Romería de San Isidro Labrador takes place in La Orotava, an event dating back to the 17th century.
- In early June, you have the Romería de San Antonio that floods the streets of Granadilla de Abona.
- On the second Sunday in July, several cultural events take place in La Laguna (a UNESCO World Heritage City), culminating with its popular romería pilgrimage.
- On the first Sunday in August, an event with carts, livestock and plenty of folklore is celebrated in La Esperanza. This one is very popular with fans of these romería pilgrimages. In the same month, on 16 August, the Romería de San Roque takes place in La Villa de Garachico. The Romería Marítima is celebrated at the same time and is considered a Festival of National Tourism Interest. On the last Saturday in August, the final event of the month takes place in Arafo – the Romería de San Agustín, which was declared of National Tourism Interest in 1983. The Romería del Poleo in Icod de los Vinos is also very pretty and colourful.
- On 7 September, a festival takes place along a road that has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and alongside the protected natural space of Malpaís de Güímar to commemorate the appearance of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to the guanche aborginal inhabitants of the island at Playa de Chimisay. In the second fortnight of the month, the Romería de San Miguel takes place in San Miguel de Abona.
Traditions
Besides the romería pilgrimages, each town has its own traditions that surprise visitors with their originality and capacity to represent a unique idiosyncrasy.
Music, fireworks, typical gastronomy and a reason to remember part of the history of each village, town or city in Tenerife with dances to ward off a poor harvest, including La Librea in El Palmar, Buenavista, and the Baile de la Diabla y El Diablo in Icod de los Vinos, which represents the battle between good and evil.
The traditional events for Holy Week, or El Corpus de la Orotava between May and June, with its spectacular rugs made of flowers and volcanic sand, an authentic ephemeral art form.
Hugely popular traditions, such as the El Carmen festivals in July that take place at every sea port but are especially important in El Puerto de la Cruz due to the huge crowds that gather and the extravagance of the event itself. Or the festival of the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands, in which pilgrims from all over the island travel on foot from their homes to the basilica in the city of the same name.
Singular traditions, such as the Corazones de Tejina and the Librea in Valle Guerra. The Clutter and Chestnut Festival in autumn. The iconic and famous fireworks show in Los Realejos on the Day of the Cross. Or the impressive descent by young people on wooden boards down the steep streets of Icod de los Vinos during the San Andrés Festival.
The Pinolere Arts and Crafts Fair is a compendium of it all, where you can learn more about the traditional arts of Tenerife. This cultural project takes place in September and stems from a commitment to looking after the historic legacy of Tenerife through an event in which all the main craftsmen and women on the island take part. We highly recommend it if you are in Tenerife during September.
These and many more events overflowing with tradition can be found in more detail here.
We look forward to seeing you dance and celebrate with us very soon.