Travelling to Tenerife, immersing oneself in its culture, and being part of its festivals is an experience that those who live it will never forget. The island’s population, which takes great care of its traditions, is always delighted to have travellers participate in their deeply rooted and popular celebrations.
In the coming weeks and months, there are three festivals that will provide an excellent opportunity to join in the celebrations and interact with the friendly locals. Despite the fact that the origins of these festivals are predominantly religious, visitors only need to respect them in order to have a great time and experience.
The three festivities visitors can’t miss in Tenerife this summer are:
The Corpus Christi in La Orotava: Takingplace on 15 June, it is considered one of the most important festivities in Tenerife. Recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest, it is renowned by its impressive flower carpets that decorate the streets of the historical centre of La Orotava. Additionally, there is a large tapestry with sands from Mount Teide by the town hall, which can even be followed live while it is being created. Locals and visitors alike come together in the preceding days to create colourful ephemeral designs. The religious procession that follows the making of the flower carpets is also a spectacle worth seeing.
The Night of San Juan, on 23 June, is the first major celebration that marks the beginning of summer in Tenerife. Bonfires on the beaches and coastal areas of the island – such as Puerto de la Cruz, El Médano (Granadilla), Punta del Hidalgo (La Laguna), Tabaiba (El Rosario), Puerto Santiago (Santiago del Teide) and Guía de Isora – take centre stage on this magical night when the fire illuminates the sky and drives away evil spirits.
This is another celebration where both locals and visitors interact openly, jumping over the bonfires to purify their bodies and spirits and call for good luck in the coming year. Rituals such as bathing in the sea, jumping over waves and burning papers with things to be forgotten are part of the festivities.
Another way to experience the night of San Juan is in the northern town of Icod de los Vinos. “Los Hachitos” (Little Torches) are one of the most authentic festivals on the island. This tradition dates back to pre-Hispanic times and consists of lighting candlesticks made of wood, two or three metres high, which were originally used to illuminate during the night time. The “hachitos” are decorated with branches, flowers and ribbons, adding beauty and colour to the festivities. When night falls, the bonfires are lit, and a parade full of emotions and tradition begins.
Another of the most representative summer festivals in Tenerife is the Maritime Procession of the Virgin of Carmen. On 16 July, many coastal towns on the island celebrate the maritime-fishing procession in honour of the patron saint of fishermen, the Virgin of Carmen. The largest procession always takes place on the preceding Tuesday in Puerto de la Cruz. In 2023, it will fall on Tuesday 11 July.
Thousands of people will gather from early morning at the pier to welcome the Virgin from the sea. The carriers will take the image of the Virgin from the Church of La Peña de Francia and embark it amidst the cheers of the crowds. The procession finishes with an impressive fireworks display.
Other towns on the island, such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Adeje and Punta del Hidalgo also celebrate the Procession of the Virgin of Carmen with similar colourful processions.
