The 2026 El Médano Fiestas will run from 11 September to 11 October in honour of Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes de Roja. The programme combines devotion and celebration and highlights the town's seafaring tradition. To kick things off on 11 September, the XXI Ruta Nocturna al Ere del Hermano Pedro is scheduled for 21:00, followed by a verbena from 23:00 featuring the Caracas Latin Brothers and Son de 3.
On 12 September, the Tenderete Barquero begins at 20:00 with the parrandas and the bands Parranda Aldea Blanca, Viñatico, Ixemad, Fernandito and Los Ideales. On 13 September, from 17:00, D Locos! Latino takes centre stage, featuring the Legacy Dance Company, Álvaro Tadeo, Johnny Maquinaria, Javi Plasencia, Wes, Elías García, Sharken and Aura Reyes & Deejay Nato. On 15 September at 19:00, there will be an afternoon dance for older teenagers with Fernando Martin, Son Canarias and El Fernan. This will be followed by the Children's Queen pageant on 16 September and the adults' gala on 17 September, featuring Arodi Llanos and Saul Romero.
On 18 September, an 80s party kicks off at 22:00 with Puretas Party, Ni un pelo de tonto, DJ and Los Vándalos. 19 September begins at 10:00 with the children's festival 'Diviértete en tu barrio'. In the evening, at 20:30, there will be a solemn mass in honour of the patron saint, followed by the traditional procession accompanied by the José Reyes Martín Band and a fireworks display by Antigua Casa Manuel Estalella. From 23:00, Grupo La Calle and Joven Sensación will perform at the open-air dance.
A key day of the festivities is 20 September. At 11:00, the Romería Barquera begins with a solemn mass in the church of El Médano, an offering to the Virgin, and the subsequent 19th boat procession through the usual streets. Before the offering, a procession will make its way from the Plaza del Médano to the Plaza del SAC. This is followed by a verbena featuring Dorada Band, Sonora Olimpia, Tropin, Maquinaria Band and Malibú Band. On 24 September, the mass is followed by a torchlight procession at 20:30. The festivities conclude on 11 October from 12 noon with the Fiesta del Picacho, featuring DJ Chris, Grupo Son Canarias, DJ Shaba, Primera Marcha, Grupo La Calle and El Fernan.