Tenerife’s Most Popular Cultural Events and Festivals

Do you dream about the exciting things you’d do if you found yourself in the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands? I do. As for me, I’d make sure I partake in every cultural event and festival that happens on this amazing Island.

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, hosts many cultural events and festivals throughout the year to celebrate its rich culture, diverse traditions, and lively arts. And thanks to its stunning weather, these celebrations take place throughout the year and can take more hours than you would expect in other places.

So, if I buy EL Gordo tickets online and am lucky enough to win the lottery, here are Tenerife’s most popular cultural events and festivals I wouldn’t want to miss:

1.   Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The carnival is one of the most popular events in Spain. And each town in Tenerife has its own version. But to experience the best, I’d attend the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

This carnival, with the status of Festival of International Tourist Interest, entered the Guinness  Books of Record in 1987 for most people attending a concert in an outdoor plaza after registering 250,000 people during a performance by Celia Cruz. It’s also the second most popular carnival after the Rio de Janeiro carnival.

The streets come alive with parades, music, dance, and elaborate costumes. There is competition between groups of singers (murga), and the highlight is the election of the carnival queen.

The glamorous competition showcases intricate costumes and elaborate headdresses. When attending the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it’s advisable to wear a costume to blend in with the locals and get in the mood of the festivity.

2.   Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Semana Santa is a religious celebration, so it’s not as loud as the carnival. But because it’s one of the major religious celebrations in Spain, Christians usually come out in large numbers to celebrate.

The celebration occurs in the week leading up to Easter and involves processions, religious ceremonies, and events to commemorate the Passion of Christ. While the celebrations happen across Tenerife, the most notable processions are the ones in La Laguna and La Orotava.

People gather to witness the elaborate floats, religious icons, and traditional attires, like pointy-hatted robes.

3.   Corpus Christi in La Orotava

This event is a must-attend if you have an eye for art. While Corpus Christi is a religious event celebrated worldwide, Tenerife, particularly La Orotava, has set standards. They create intricate, breathtaking carpets from flower petals and coloured sand along the streets and town squares.

Visitors and locals flock to the streets to witness this work of art and enjoy the smell of flowers. However, the fun ends the same day in the evening as all the carpets are destroyed.

To make the event memorable, visit the sand carpet outside the town hall square. This sand carpet made it to the Guinness World Record for being the Largest Sand Painting.

4.   Canary Islands Day

For nearly four decades now, the Canary Islands have celebrated this day to commemorate the first session of the Canary Islands parliament. As you walk along the streets across all Canary Islands towns, you will see flower decorations on balconies and residents dressed in Canary Island traditional costumes and some displaying flags.

5.   Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of the Carmen)

This celebration happens across all coastal towns in Spain. The event celebrates the patron saint of fishermen (Our Lady of Mount Carmel.) While each coastal town and fishing village holds its version, Puerto De la Cruz has the best celebration. The grand arrival of the Virgin, the procession through the streets, and the fireworks display are beautiful.

6.   Boreal Festival

The boreal festival is another top event in Tenerife. The event brings together environment enthusiasts, top artists across the world, and locals to Los Silo for an array of activities every September.

The attendees are treated to live performances and learn how to care for and respect the environment. Other activities include eco- tourism fair, turtle releases, and a recycling fair.

Summing Up

Tenerife is a magical place, especially if you are on the lookout for holiday ideas. From the beautiful landmarks, the sandy beaches, and cultural events to the fantastic weather, there’s plenty to see and do for both locals and tourists. Whether you’re interested in traditional religious celebrations, lively carnivals, or world-class music festivals, Tenerife has something to offer throughout the year.

These cultural events showcase the island’s rich heritage and contribute to its dynamic and thriving cultural scene. So, if you plan to attend some of these events, be open to having fun and wear appropriate costumes.