Candelaria Festivals

The main days of the Candelaria Festival in Candelaria are celebrated every year on 14th and 15th August, dates on which the majority of the religious and popular events dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria take place. 14th August tends to concentrate some of the preliminary activities, cultural events and the arrival of numerous pilgrims, whilst 15th August is when the central day is celebrated, with religious ceremonies, a procession and a high level of participation from visitors and residents. These dates form part of the most representative festive calendar in Tenerife and turn Candelaria into one of the island's main gathering points during those days.

The Candelaria Festival celebrates the devotion to the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands, in a festivity that combines religious tradition, cultural identity and strong popular participation. During these days, religious events, processions, pilgrim gatherings and performances linked to the history of the Virgin's arrival on the island take place. These are complemented by cultural activities, music and various popular events that turn Candelaria into one of Tenerife's main festive centres during the month of August. For this reason, beyond its religious dimension, these festivals form part of the island's most representative cultural calendar and attract visitors and residents from different parts of the Canary Islands every year.

The Candelaria Festival combines religious events, popular celebrations and cultural expressions that make this festivity one of the most representative in Tenerife. Amongst the best-known events are the procession of the image of the Virgin, the liturgical celebrations at the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, the re-enactment of the finding of the Virgin linked to Guanche tradition, and various musical and folk gatherings. Also forming part of the programme are pilgrimages, the arrival of walkers from different parts of the island and cultural activities in the main square. In some years, the programme additionally includes fireworks displays, folk dancing and concerts, particularly during the main days in August, when the number of visitors is at its highest.

Yes, the Candelaria Festivals programme usually includes cultural activities, music, traditional gatherings and popular events that accompany the main celebration and extend the festive atmosphere beyond the religious moments. Throughout those days it is customary to find musical performances, events linked to Canarian folklore and activities open to the public in various spaces across the municipality, particularly in the areas near the basilica and the main square. This means that the festivals combine a religious dimension, a local atmosphere and events open to all types of visitors, allowing Candelaria to be experienced from a cultural, social and traditional perspective all at once.

During the festivals it is customary to find folk dancing, folkloric performances and traditional Canarian music in various spaces across the municipality. These gatherings typically accompany the main celebrations and reinforce the festive atmosphere in the streets of Candelaria, particularly around the square and the areas near the basilica. Folklore, musical groups and neighbourhood gatherings form part of a celebration in which religious tradition and popular atmosphere come together.

Yes, fireworks are usually included within the August festive programme as part of the evening events with the highest participation in Candelaria. These displays tend to take place coinciding with the main days and accompany other large-scale events held in the surroundings of the basilica and the main square, where much of the festive atmosphere is concentrated. The presence of fireworks reinforces the popular character of a celebration that, beyond its religious dimension, attracts numerous visitors and residents from different parts of Tenerife every year.

Yes, many people visit Candelaria during those days simply to experience the festive atmosphere, explore the municipality and enjoy one of Tenerife's most representative celebrations. In addition to the religious events, the town offers seafront promenades, dining options and a special atmosphere throughout the entire celebration.