Tenerife is far more than just a holiday destination for sun-worshippers and nature lovers. To grasp the true essence of the largest of the Canary Islands, visitors should explore the rich array of customs and traditions. These have shaped Tenerife’s cultural identity for centuries.
During Holy Week, known as Semana Santa, Tenerife experiences a fusion of religion, folk festivals and historical heritage. In towns such as La Laguna and La Orotava in particular, impressive processions take place, during which religious figures and images are carried through the historic town centres.
The festivities are accompanied by music and performances of all kinds. But the Easter period in Tenerife is also a time for indulgence, regional cuisine and outdoor leisure activities. And this is how the celebrations unfold:
The Romerías, Canarian pilgrimages with a festive atmosphere, begin in March in La Candelaria. They are another highlight in Tenerife’s calendar of events. These events are characterised by traditional Canarian costumes and colourfully decorated floats. These fiestas often end with dancing and more.
Colourful traditions and festivals in Tenerife
At the end of June, the Corpus Christi festival takes place. On Tenerife, Corpus Christi is even celebrated twice – we’ll tell you why here. For the holiday, the towns of Tenerife create impressive sand and flower carpets – particularly La Orotava in the north of the Canary Islands. These artistic floor mosaics serve as a path for the procession, which winds its way through the streets accompanied by a monstrance and musical accompaniment. The tradition of carpet art dates back to 1847 and has developed into a true craft.
>>> You can find photos of the colourful sand formations in Tenerife here <<<
An adrenaline rush is guaranteed at the Fiestas de San Andrés, where participants slide down the steep streets on wooden boards. Icod de los Vinos is famous for this spectacle, which takes place on 29 November.
The Fiestas del Cacharros in Puerto de la Cruz, during which the locals parade old kitchen utensils through the streets, are a reminder of the days when winegrowers used to take their barrels to the sea to be cleaned. Food and drink also play an important role in these celebrations.
Tenerife offers many colourful events
The Corazones de Tejina, which take place in Tejina at the end of August, are a colourful festival during which heart-shaped structures weighing up to 900 kilos and standing around twelve metres tall are carried through the streets. The creative hearts are crafted by residents of the town’s three main districts and form part of the festivities in honour of San Bartolomé.
Tenerife captivates visitors with its colourful mix of cultures, traditions and festivals, and invites them to experience Canary Island culture at first hand at events such as the Fiestas de la Cruz (find out more here).
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