Fuerteventura carnival: Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro Jable

Festivals in Fuerteventura: The main events

Fuerteventura boasts an events calendar filled with colour, tradition and originality. Just like in the rest of the archipelago, Carnival is one of the most highly anticipated celebrations for locals. However, there are many other festivals honouring the patron saints of cities and towns, as well as events in memory the region’s turbulent past and celebrating the victory of natives over foreign invaders, with accurate re-enactments of legendary battles.

Known throughout Spain for its renowned metalsmith heritage, Fuerteventura has its own artisan fair. Kids also have a special weekend every year, when clowns take over the streets of Gran Tarajal.

Fuerteventura has cultural, professional, children’s, entertainment and religious events for everyone. Take note of its most popular festivals.

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Carnival in Fuerteventura

Between February and March, right before Lent, Fuerteventura gives in to colour, glitter, costumes, bands of street musicians, troupes and endless fun for as long as people’s bodies hold out.

Although every corner of the island fervently celebrates Carnival and everyone is welcome to join in the revelry, the municipalities with the most Carnival activities are Antigua, Tuineje, Betancuria, Pájara and Puerto del Rosario (the island’s capital). In the latter, the festival lasts 10 days, with Ash Wednesday and the Burial of the Sardine as the beginning and end.

Electing the Carnival Queen is one of the main events of the Fuerteventura Carnival. Contenders wear spectacular fantasy outfits as they are paraded in floats to dazzle the judges and audiences. Most locals participate in their town’s Great Carnival Coso parade featuring creative floats paired with bands and troupes that play music and spread joy. The satire inspired by political and current events is showcased in the competition of street musician bands for kids and adults.

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Festivals, fairs and religious pilgrimages in Fuerteventura

The people of Fuerteventura know how to have fun, and there is always a good excuse to go out into the streets, or the fields in the case of religious pilgrimages. Join the party and enjoy because you will most likely come across a celebration during your stay.

La Candelaria in La Oliva

On the 2nd of February, the village of La Oliva spares no expense to celebrate the festival in honour of Our Lady of La Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Although the best-known image of Our Lady of La Candelaria is from the nineteenth century and located in the Tenerife town of the same name, residents of Fuerteventura’s La Oliva are proud to have a statue of this Black Madonna that dates back to the late fifteenth century. In fact, it is one of the oldest Christian icons in the Canary Islands.

Festivals in Fuerteventura

La Oliva celebrates its patron saint in style with numerous events featuring bands of street musicians, music festivals, open-air dances and religious acts that include a procession through the town carrying the beautifully adorned Virgin.

Antigua Artisan Fair

The village of Antigua is famous for its handicrafts, among other things. In fact, it has a handicrafts centre housed in a traditional mill that is definitely worth a visit. During the first half of May, the municipality hosts the Insular Artisan Fair, which is held in an 8,500-metre venue and welcomes more than 20,000 visitors. It showcases woodworking, costume jewellery and leather goods with an original, indigenous touch that are available for purchase.

Virgen de Regla festival in Pájara

The festivities to honour Our Lady of Regla take place in Pájara on the 2nd of June. Starting the previous week, residents fervently devote themselves to the festival, which has countless activities for all ages. The main event is the religious pilgrimage that begins at the interesting seventeenth-century hermitage where the image is located. It continues through the municipality, and residents wear traditional garb as they are accompanied by carriages.

Day of Saint Bonaventure, a festivity in Betancuria

The festival of Saint Bonaventure, patron saint of Betancuria, takes place on the 14th of July. As the oldest festivity on the island, it became official by Diego de Herrera in 1456, when resistance by local aborigines was declared to be under control of Castilian colonists. The procession in honour of the patron saint is particularly interesting because it features rondalla serenade groups who add an attractive musical note to the event.

Festivals in Fuerteventura

Virgen del Carmen festival in Morro Jable

Located on the southern end of Fuerteventura, Jandía Bay hosts the traditional boat procession that accompanies Morro Jable’s Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of the sea. After the procession, pilgrims and visitors eat by the shore at one of the many fish grills along the sand or at one of the nearby inns or beach bars.

Virgen de la Peña religious pilgrimage

The third Saturday of September marks the festivities honouring the Virgen de la Peña, the patron saint of Fuerteventura. The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Vega de Río Palmas, in the Peña ravine (to which it owes its name). According to legend, this is where the image miraculously appeared before San Diego.

The Madonna with Child is a gorgeous French Gothic alabaster sculpture that is believed to have reached the island with the first French expedition to the island in 1402. On the big day, visitors and pilgrims from all over the island visit the sanctuary of Virgen de la Peña to pay tribute.

Tran Tran International Clown Festival in Gran Tarajal

The Gran Tarajal Tran Tran International Clown Festival, featuring more than 100 circus artists from all over the world, takes place in September. A treat for children and adults alike!

Over the course of a weekend, 60 performances will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Firmly established within the island’s events calendar for cultural activities, Tran Tran welcomes more than 20,000 visitors every year.

Virgen del Rosario festival in La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario

The first Sunday of October, the La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario municipalities celebrate the festivity for Our Lady of the Rosary. Puerto del Rosario is adorned with all types of decorations and there is an extensive activities programme to celebrate the day of its patron saint.

Battle of Tamasite festival on 13 October

Recently declared of National Tourist Interest, the re-enactment of the Battle of Tamasite by Tuineje residents takes place on Gran Tarajal Beach every 13 October. On this date in 1740, a ship carrying English pirates invaded the coast of Gran Tarajal. Locals bravely went into battle and were able to fend off their attackers using sticks and stones. This historic feat is remembered with a faithful and elaborate re-enactment that will amaze those who come to witness it.

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Carnival at Canary Islands: queens, comparsas, cavalcades

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February 27, 2017

Published on February 27, 2017 by Silvia Saez

In Canary Islands there’s a long tradition of Carnival, the feast of joy and color is present in almost all islands, each with its particular celebration.

The spirit of this party is based on turning you for a few days into a different character, a parody of someone or something and give free rein to imagination and fun.

What to see on each island?

Carnival of Tenerife

          *foto propiedad de webtenerife.com

In Tenerife are many municipalities that celebrate carnival, although the places are concentrated in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz.

The capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, begins its contests to choose the best dance of that edition of the carnival, the so-called comparsas, as well as the murgas contest, which are vocal ensembles that sing composite lyrics for the occasion by combining Criticism and humor; And the competition of rondallas, groups of lyrical character that combine vocal interpretation and instruments of pulse and pick. In close to the week of festivities in the street, the Queen of the Adult, Child and Third Age Carnival is chosen in galas where the spectacularity of the costumes and the color are authentic protagonists.

The Carnival week of Santa Cruz begins with the Cabalgata Anunciadora, a parade that officially opens the most popular Carnival, which is enjoyed in the street and in which we can see musical groups and the candidates for Queen on the first Friday night .

On Saturday night there will be another competition of comparsas (on the street), is the so-called “Rhythm and Harmony” where the Carnival dance groups deploy their arts to surprise the public that is concentrated in the Avenue of Francisco La Roche.

On Sunday, Carnival is enjoyed during the Day, a newly created modality that encourages the streets with live music and various shows and adapts to the most familiar needs. On this same day the costume contest is held.

On Monday you can enjoy music during the night, a party of a more adult character.

On Tuesday, the streets are full of activity to welcome the Aposoosico Carnival Coso, the grand parade in the morning (11:00 a.m.) where participants travel around the capital to the rhythm of drums and music.

On Wednesday the “widows” come out to mourn the Burial of the Sardine. A procession that parodies the death of a large sardine that at the end of it will succumb to the flames.

On Thursday you can enjoy a Festival of some of the rondallas that participated in the contest.

Friday is the day of Children’s Coso where the youngest are protagonists of the day.

On Saturday we enjoy another day of Carnival by day and on Sunday the carnival week closes with various performances and with an exhibition of fireworks.

Find more detailed information at: http://carnavaldetenerife.com/en

Gran Canaria and its carnival

 *foto propiedad de grancanaria.com

On the island of Gran Canaria carnival is celebrated in several municipalities but the most famous are Las Palmas and Maspalomas, this last one has increased its relevance for being the most important tourist area of the island.

The Carnival of Las Palmas has also, as the one in Tenerife with murgas competition, election of the Carnival Queens and competition of comparsas, but it has a contest that has become national and international reference that is the Drag Queen Gala, an event In which the contestants to the rhythm of the music realize a show in which transform their disfraces on vertiginous platforms.

Carnival week is lived differently in the capital of Gran Canaria, Saturday begins with Carnival to the Sun, a parade of murgas, comparsas and batucadas in Las Canteras, from La Puntilla to the Auditorium and vice versa.

On Sunday the smallest of the house enjoy celebrations in squares and corners of the city.

On Monday night of this year 2017 the glances will focus on the Drag Queen Gala.

On Tuesday the party is concentrated in the Santa Catalina Park, where the public is enlivened with live concerts.

Friday continues the carnival at night, with activities for a more adult audience.

On Saturday a big parade runs through the city, with floats, masks, cars and a great citizen participation.

Sunday marks the end of the celebrations with the Burial of the Sardine, where the procession of false mourners accompanying the Sardine is repeated until Las Canteras beach where the figure that has been walked will be burned

More info at: http://lpacarnaval. com/es

La Palma and Los Indianos

 *foto propiedad de santacruzdelapalma.es

At La Palma they celebrate Los Indianos, a parody of the Carnival that has been celebrated since 1920 but has taken a greater relevance since the 80s. It recalls the emigrant of the early twentieth century who left for the Americas, Especially to Cuba, in search of fortune and a better life and that returned to the island with money and success.

The participants of this festivity dress in clothes inspired by the 20s in white colors, men with guayaberas and pants and women with long skirts and shirts. It is a tradition that attendees rub or powder each other by throwing talcum powder.

This holiday is celebrated throughout the day of Monday, including early morning on Tuesday.

Los Carneros at El Hierro

On the island of El Hierro is celebrated a tradition in dates of Carnival aren’t very known, Los Carneros de Tigaday. Every Sunday and Tuesday of Carnival the young people dress in skins and mutton antlers to frighten, to laugh and to stain the face with bitumen of the people who are by the way.

Lanzarote in Carnival

 *foto propiedad de puertodelcarmen.com

On the island of Lanzarote the main carnival activity is centered in Arrecife with the election of the Carnival Queen, murgas and parade contest, although there is also activity in Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.

More info at: http://www.carnavalarrecife.es/

Fuerteventura carnival

                      *Imagen carnaval Fuerteventura 2017

On the island of Fuerteventura is a model similar to that of Arrecife, with election of the Queen of Carnival, murgas contest and Coso.

La Gomera

 *foto propiedad de lagomeratoday.com

In San Sebastián de La Gomera we live the Carnival with the gala of election of the Queen and the Coso .

If you are going to visit the Canary Islands in carnival season you better consult leisure offer and activities of each city.

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Silvia Sáez Rodriguez de Azero ha sido beneficiaria del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional cuyo objetivo es mejorar el uso y la calidad de las tecnologías de la información y de las comunicaciones y el acceso a las mismas, y gracias al que ha desarrollado esta web con comercio electrónico y promoción de sus servicios a través de Internet. Esta acción ha tenido lugar durante 2017-2018. Para ello ha contado con el apoyo del Programa TICCámaras de la Cámara de Comercio de Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Expert Holiday Tips On Fuerteventura

Check the latest travel advice and current Covid-19 rules and restrictions by country.

Kirsten Henton

Welcome to the second instalment in our Travel Insider series where we bring together some of the industry’s experts to share their personal experiences and tips on popular holiday destinations.

Corralejo beach, Fuerteventura © philipus – Fotolia.com

Moving on from the Algarve, we’re now looking at Fuerteventura, the second largest Canary Island, and a firm favourite with holidaymakers year-round. We’ve spoken to those in the know at lastminute.com, ResortHoppa and On the Beach to discover their pick of the best bits in and around Fuerteventura.

Travel Insider: Fuerteventura holidays tips from the experts in travel

From fiery festivals and popular local restaurants, to some of the most secluded and romantic things to do on, read on to discover what our Fuerteventura experts have to say, and why they love this very individual Canary Island.

Top five festivals in Fuerteventura

by Kirsten Beacock, Chief Blogger and Fuerteventura aficionado at lastminute.com

Festivals are huge in Fuerteventura, and the good news is that no matter what time of year you plan to visit, there’s bound to be a big party happening somewhere. Five of my favourite festival in Fuerteventura are:

Kite Festival, Corralejo – photo courtesy of www.fuerteventura.com

1. Fiesta Fever

From February to March the island hosts a whole range of carnivals. My top tip is to visit the Corralejo Carnival, which combines parades, drag queens and fireworks in a quirky and combustible mix. They close the show with a unique take on the Spanish tradition of ‘The burial of the Sardine’, by setting fire to a sardine on a beach.

2. Dia de Canarias

Caleta de Fuste’s traditional Canarian Day celebrations get going in the central plaza on 30 May. Get stuck into the food tasting – islanders are particularly proud of their tomatoes, potatoes and cheese dishes. Afterwards, pop into my favourite local restaurant, Nestor’s, and have a vodka caramello to finish the day in style.

3. A travel tribute in August

Pay homage to the Virgin of Good Travel in El Cotillo. Watch the fishermen arrive back with the Sarpa Salpa (sea bream) and prepare the fish for the celebrations on the harbour front. A religious procession dedicated to the Virgin de Buen Viaje, which begins on the water and ends with a torch and candle-lit procession through the village, is the atmospheric climax.

4. Let’s go fly a kite

The Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo is home to the spectacular International Kite Festival. Taking place on the Playa del Burro in November, this is now an international event. It’s no exaggeration to say anything goes kite wise, from sharks to cars, and dragons to dogs. Just don’t forget your camera.

5. Christmas

Brimming with characters, the giant Nativity Scene in the capital Puerto del Rosario becomes a temporary tourist attraction in its own right. It’s also worth sticking around for the Three Kings parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes) on 5 January. Expect boats, floats and even camels.

Top five foodie joints in Fuerteventura

by Charli Hunt, Marketing Manager and gourmet at ResortHoppa

As a hotspot for tourists of every nationality, Fuerteventura is packed full of culinary delights from around the world. Whether it’s traditional dishes plucked almost straight out of the sea, or fresh local ingredients with an exotic fusion twist, Fuerteventura is a foodie’s paradise. Here are five of my top local joints:

Restaurant Bahia La Pared © JrGMontero – Flickr Creative Commons

1. Tantaluna, Corralejo

Cheekily self-proclaimed as ‘the worst restaurant on the island’ this incredible Italian restaurant serves dishes so beautiful you won’t want to eat them. Perfect for couples or groups, this is a great restaurant for those who like to share tapas style with a cocktail or two thrown in.

2. Tio Bernabe, Corralejo

Combining delicious food, incredible wine and friendly service all at a great price, the Tio Bernabe restaurant is ideal for foodies on a budget. Here you’ll find fresh and expertly prepared no-frills Canarian dishes, perfect if you want to eat and feel like a local.

3. Casa Isaitas, Pajara

This simple, traditional restaurant at Casa Isaitas is packed full of authentic Spanish dishes that will melt in your mouth. The warm friendly atmosphere and serene surroundings make it great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and guests often find themselves enjoying all their meals here.

4. Bahia La Pared, Pajara

Providing stunning views of the sunset and over the beach, Bahia La Pared is a hotspot for both locals and holidaymakers alike. Serving delicious fish and offering a taste of traditional Spain, this is a definite must for foodies looking for an authentic culinary delight.

5. 15, Caleta de Fuste

Still popular with locals, despite its high ratings with holidaymakers, 15 has kept its quiet charm, friendly atmosphere and – best of all – reasonable prices. The concept is simple: each day a menu of 15 dishes is served, with meals being demoted and replaced if they find themselves too far down the list. It’s just a matter of time before this catches on!

Top five activities for couples in Fuerteventura

by Evette Paterson, Customer Services Agent and Fuerteventura pro at On the Beach

My husband and I have visited Fuerteventura many times over the years. It’s a beautiful, unspoilt island, providing a more traditional Canarian experience than some of the other big name destinations nearby. If you’re thinking of going with your other half, there are so many fun and romantic things to do and see together. Five of my top activities for couples include:

On the island of Lobos © JrGMontero – Flickr Creative Commons

1. Exploring Parque Natural de las Dunas (Dunes Natural Park)

This spectacular park is a tranquil collection of rolling sand dunes running north to south. The five mile ribbon of golden sand is surely one the most charming places to go for a stroll, hand-in-hand. Pack a bottle of bubbly and some snacks for a memorable picnic among the sand.

2. Enjoying the views over Cofete Beach

Head south and embark on a day’s hiking around Cofete Beach. This iconic stretch of coast is largely wild and untamed, with strong currents and winds, so not suitable for swimming. It is, however, incredibly picturesque with a mix of long and short trails in the mountains behind, offering many great viewpoints. Take a picnic, find a perch and soak in the scenery together.

3. Visiting El Cotillo

A trip to El Cotillo in the north is a must for couples after a laid back atmosphere in a truly beautiful and traditional fishing village. You’ll find plenty of quaint bars and restaurants, as well as some of the region’s best beaches. Take the clifftop path to Playa del Castillo (popular with surfers owing to the wind), or enjoy a dip in the calmer waters of the lagoons to the east.

4. Sailing to Lobos Island

Sitting just a mile north of Corralejo harbour, Lobos Island is a designated nature reserve easily access by a short boat ride. The island may be uninhabited but it’s hugely popular with tourists keen to take a walk, enjoy a picnic, snorkel or just soak up the sun with great views of Fuerteventura – it’s a scenic spot for a touch of romance.

5. Dining in Corralejo

Corralejo is a fantastic base for anyone visiting the island, especially if it’s your first time. There’s something for everyone, with every need catered to. Come dusk, the beachfront restaurants twinkly into life, offering splendid local dishes of fresh fish, cold beer and views of nearby Lanzarote and Lobos Island.

Tip: It’s definitely worth hiring a car if you can. You can then explore every corner of the island, as well as gaze on the rugged scenery of the interior, which is largely untouched and best experienced in isolation on a romantic break. Having your own set of wheels allows you to do this with ease.

Fuerteventura ticks every box as a holiday destination, simply because it offers something for every type of holidaymaker, budget and taste. If you feel like road-testing some of these expert tips, be it a colourful festival, tasty cafe or romantic stroll, check out lastminute.com, ResortHoppa and On the Beach for everything from flights and holidays to transfers. You can also find out more in our Fuerteventura holidays section.

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Kirsten Henton

Posted on Tuesday 29th July 2014 in: Europe Travel Insider Travel tips

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Fuerteventura Events – Fuerteventura.cool

Fuerteventura is an island with many quality events and of great interest to visitors.

Carnival
Carnival parties on the island..

Los Archipencos
The regatta of the carnivals of Puerto del Rosario.

Arretrancos
The carnival race.

Blues in Corralejo
The famous International Blues Festival of Corralejo.

Bodaventura
The wedding event in Fuerteventura.

Ocean Lava
Triathlon Ocean Lava in Fuerteventura. Olympic Distance.

Crafts Fair
Insular Craft Fair in Antigua..

Feria de Abril
Discover the April Fair in Fuerteventura here.

Mosquito Color Fest
The most colorful festival in Fuerteventura.

Taifa Dance
Great Taifa Dance is held in Puerto del Rosario. .

The Night of San Juan
The feast of the Night of San Juan.

Fuerteventura Music Festival
Fuerteventura Music Festival (FEM).

Beach Party
Caleta de Fuste beach party.

Windsurf and Kitesurf
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Romeria Our Lady of Carmen
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The Carpa
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Youth Week
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La Cebada Beach Cultural Week
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Fuerteventura by Kayak
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Half MDS Fuerteventura
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FUERTEBIKE
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Virgin of the Peña
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Deep Sea Fishing in Gran Tarajal
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Tran Tran clowns
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Puerto del Rosario festivals
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Saint Michael the Archangel Festivities
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Caleta de Fuste Golf Open
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Swimming crossing Isla de Lobos
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El Castillo Deep Sea Fishing Tournament
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Kite Festival
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Fuerteventura Dunes Half Marathon
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Depart through Puerto and White Night
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Black Sand Festival
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Fudenas
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Baifo Extreme
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Pilgrimage of San Andrés
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Rainbow Fuerteventura
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Pilgrimage Offering Virgen del Rosario
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Fuerteventura Surf Festival
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Fuerteventura Guide

A
large part of the fiestas in the Canaries are of religious origin, even
if with time, they have lost this character. Many others record a
native tradition; the inhabitants of the Canary Islands are deeply
devoted to tradition, so the origin of some of these fiestas goes back
to Guanche times. Those traditions generally celebrated the arrival of a
season or a particular time of the year. Some celebrations-those of a
pagan character, are exclusive to the archipelago.

The majority
of these fiestas are now associated with the cult of saints, in
particular patron saints, or – in agricultural regions – the marking of
the end of harvest. Each village has its Patron Saint and hence its own
fiesta, (so there are many on the island during the year!) They are
usually celebrated with processions of a statue of the saint through the
streets in a very somber parade. Some fiestas last from one to three
weeks: besides much entertainment and fun for young and old, these
fiestas often offer a full programme of traditional activities, folklore
performances, traditional dancing and sporting events, such as
wrestling (lucha canaria) stick fighting competitions (juego de palo).
nb. Some dates may vary slightly from year to year

January 6
Feast of the Three Kings.
In
Spain, children receive their Christmas gifts not from Santa Claus but
from the Three Magi on the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6). On the
previous evening there are parades in most towns depicting the arrival
of the three gift bearers who usually pass through the streets on camels
throwing sweets for the children.

February 2
La Candelaria. La Oliva and Tuineje
A
fiesta dating from the pre-conquest it has its origins with the Guanche
people who would gather in the highest points of the island and spill
milk in a ritual to supplicate for  rain. After the conquest, this was
transformed into the fiesta of Our Lady of the Candle who lights the way
and guides the people. Known as Candlemas in Europe It marks Mary’s 40
days of purification after the birth of Jesus and is celebrated on the
2nd February.

March
Carnival.

This
pre-Lent festivity, with obvious pagan roots, was banned under the
dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in the early 20th century and later
under Franco for its raucousness and lascivious nature.

Now reinstated,
it is celebrated all over Spain. The most famous are those held in Cádiz
in southern Spain, and on the Canary Islands. The “carnavale” (“to put
away the meat”) is held in March before the first day of lent (when the
eating of it is forbidden for 40 days.)

It is held throughout the
islands, each of the villages presenting their costumes and musical
contributions. In Fuerteventura the largest events are held in Corralejo
and Puerto Del Rosario where the parties last up to two weeks from the
crowning of the Carnival Queen to “The Burial of the Sardine” finale.

Easter.
Spain
is famous for its Holy Week processions, which take place between Palm
Sunday and Good Friday, and on Easter Sunday. The more elaborate ones
involve enormous, heavily ornamented floats with the images of Christ or
the Virgin Mary, often carried on the shoulders of men, in processions
which can last many hours, escorted by hundreds of penitents wearing the
familiar hooded costumes. On the island the fiesta is simpler but still
strictly adhered to by the local people and you will find the churches
decked with flowers.

May
Corpus Christi. 
This
is one of the most popular and solemn fiestas in the catholic world and
in the islands and  one marked by the elaboration of carpets of flowers
and salt in the streets of the some of the villages and capitals. The
origins of the carpets is not known but is believed to stem from the
custom of covering the streets where the procession of the body (corpus)
of christ passed with aromatic flowers. The carpets are incredibly
elaborate and intricate, especially in the Tenerife town of La Oratva,
in Fuerteventura coloured salt is the main ingredient, perhaps due to
the past scarcity of flowers. ) The fiesta always falls between  mid May
and mid June, it is the celebration of the Eucharist – the Last Supper.

Feaga.
This
annual Agricultural Fair is held in either April or May (the date varies) and gives an insight
into the farming community of the island. There are many stands
displaying locally produced articles related to agriculture (including
some delicious culinary ones!) and farming animals are proudly
exhibited. Agricultural machinery is also featured and the show is an
opportunity for local farmers to view the newest innovations and of
course to meet up with each other and have a thoroughly good “catch up”
(often accompanied by local wines!)

May
The Antigua Craft Fair.
Also
held in May, usually at the beginning of the month, this fair is a
showcase for the craftsmen and women to display and sell their wares.
There is a great selection of stands ranging from pottery to jewellery to
hand crafted wind powered water pumps; the variety and standard of the
craftwork increases each year.
A good place to buy souveniers and presents.
It is a pleasant day out and there are many events such as concerts by local musicians etc.

 (Press on craft fair pictures to Enlarge)

May 30
Dia de Canarias
Public holiday celebrating the granting of autonomy to the Canary Islands.
Many events are organised on the island including the “Baile de Taifas” (Traditional Canarian dancing that is accompanied by guitar, timple (a kind of mandolin), and sometimes voice and violin.

June 23
La Noche de San Juan.
Saint John used to be a feast organized to celebrate the summer solstice.
It is held on the night of June 23rd, which is the longest night of the
year.
In past times, torches were lit at sunset to represent that light
didn’t completely go, but that it was always present.
Currently, this
fiesta isn’t really the same, adopted and adapted by the church, as so many ancient traditions were,  it is now known as Saint John’s Eve and,
instead of lighting torches, the people set off fireworks and rockets.
In this way they preserve tradition, but adapt it to the new times.

Another ancient tradition, still preserved nowadays, is lighting
bonfires, with these bonfires; people had light in the evenings, to keep
away darkness till the sun shone again. The fires weren’t made with
ordinary wood, but with the pieces of furniture people didn’t want any
more. Thus, the town folk kept all their old things that couldn’t be
burnt at home, and some days before Saint John they brought them all to
the street to make huge bonfires.

July 16
Fiestas del Carmen
A fiesta held in seaside towns in honour of Our Lady of Carmen.
The festival is especially important in the fishing villages of the island (and indeed all Spain) Puerto del Rosario amongst others has the Virgin del Carmen as their town patron.
The title of Our Lady of Carmel (or Carmen) can be traced back to the hermits who used to live in the renowned mountain at the time of the Old Testament.
The holy prophet Elias ascended Mount Carmel to pray to God for the salvation of Israel which was suffering a terrible drought at that time. He persevered in prayer and sent his servant several times to the mountaintop to see any sign of foreboding rain. Elias, never wavering in his confidence, received the good news on the seventh try, “Behold a little cloud arose out of the sea like a man’s foot” (1 Kings 18:44). Soon thereafter, torrential rains fell upon the parched land and the people of Israel were saved.

The Virgin del Carmen is held such esteem by the inhabitants of fishing because hermits, following in Elijah’s footsteps asked for the protection of the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmelo – the Virgin of Carmen. Stella Maris, as she was also known, she was soon adopted by mariners and fishermen everywhere as their patron.
Although long overtaken by tourism, many towns still retain fishing communities and a strong attachment to “la Reina de los Mares” (the Queen of the Seas). It was once believed that the Virgin cleared up the waters with her presence and that only after July 16 would the sea be fit for swimming in.
The fiesta lasts around a week with many events and dances and during the festivities a statue of the virgin is carried in procession from the church to the harbour and placed in a boat, many fisherman and local residents accompany her in boats.

 Mount Carmel Caves

July-August
The Sotovento Windsurf and Kitesurf Contests.
At
the end of July to the beginning days of August, Fuerteventura plays
host to the PWA World Tour. This event attracts the cream of the worlds
Windsurf and Kitesurfer’s, the miles of white sand, sparkling sea and
trade winds creating a breathtaking venue where competitors from all
over the world compete for a share of the cash prizes.
There are many events planned including the end of contest parties (usually with live bands).

September 11 -13
International Deep Sea Fishing Contest
Every
year in September the “Tag and Release” Deep Sea Fishing Contest is
held from the southern port of Gran Tarajal; the event attracts
enthusiasts from around the world who hope to catch tuna, shark, blue
marlin and other species that inhabit the surrounding Atlantic waters.

October 7

Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Puerto del Rosario’s main fiesta celebrating its patroness.

October
The Battle of Tamasite.
Every
year during the second week of October the local population of the
village of Tuineje dress up as English pirates and farmers and re-enact
the great victory that they won in 1740 when brave farmers and just 43
soldiers successfully made a stand against the repeated pirate attacks
on the island. The whole village attends the celebration and a play
about the battle is performed in the open air. There is also a parade
through the streets with many floats and a boat is burned in
commemoration of the boat of Jose Sanchez Dumpierrez, who as Governor of
the village directed the defense.

November 1

El Dia de los Difuntos (The Day of the Dead)

Known
in Europe as All Saints Day, the first of November is the day on which
the dead are believed to revisit the living and are duly venerated; the
local people visit the cemeteries in very large numbers, decorating them
and bringing flowers to the family graves.

In recent years celebrating Halloween on 31st October has been gaining a lot of popularity, especially amoungst the younger generation.

November 8
The Kite Festival Corralejo
Each
November the glorious beaches of Corralejo are host to the
Fuerteventura Kite Festival that is held on the Playa del Burro (or
Glass Beach). Due to the beautiful white sandy beach and Atlantic Trade
Winds this is a wonderful venue for the world class kiters to
demonstrate their skills. The blue skies and dunes provide an ideal
backdrop for the vividly coloured kites- a wonderful sight to behold.
The weekend event begins on Friday with “free flying” which gives the
first viewing of the vast array of kites; on Saturday the kiters begin
to compete and the sky becomes a stage for their skills. Sunday is
family day where children get the chance to handle kites and there are
many suprises in store. The colourful weekend ends after stunt kites
battle it out for supremacy of the skies.

December 24th

Christmas Eve, mostly celebrated with a family dinner in the home.
You wont find many restaurantes open this evening.
The big party will be on New Years Eve!

Back to The Guide

Carnival in the Canary Islands on a yacht!

BRIGHT CARNIVAL

• Date: 25.02. – 04.03. 2023
• Start: about. Gran Canaria (Las Palmas)
• Yacht: Sun Odyssey 519 (2018), cabins: 5, places: 10.
• Price: 750 euros / person.

Yachting School | Yacht rights RYA, ISSA | Yacht travel | Yacht charter | Books on yachting | Corporate regatta

Carnival in Tenerife is the largest and most popular event on the island, which has been held since the 18th century. Carnival participants put on colorful costumes and masks, dance and celebrate in the streets and just enjoy life. The carnival program is exciting and varied, and everyone, regardless of age or gender, will find something for themselves.

* The itinerary may change depending on weather conditions and the wishes of the crew

Yachting for beginners. Canary Islands 2018

The island La Gomera tourists value primarily for its pristine nature. Landscapes amaze with the greenery of steep slopes, which are cut by parallel winding lines of terraces. Such a relief of Homera has always made it difficult to communicate between the villages. Until now, many areas of the island have retained their virginity. Most impressive is the unexpectedly dense vegetation on the central plateau, where a thousand-year-old laurel forest stands in eternal fog.

Gran Canaria – Gran Canaria is a truly paradise island located in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 210 km from the coast of Africa. This is the third largest of the Canary Islands, adjacent to Fuerteventura and Tenerife. The capital of the island is the city of Las Palmas, which is located in the north. Gran Canaria is a great year-round holiday destination with a rich culture, sandy beaches and sunny climate. So whenever you wish to come on holiday to this island, all the delights of Gran Canaria will be waiting for you!

It is hard to imagine a more attractive beach than on the island Fuerteventura , with sparkling clean sand by the turquoise sea. There are 152 of them in total, and they make up more than one fifth of the entire territory. No wonder Fuerteventura is called an island paradise.

Fuerteventura owes its name and initial fame to the Norman navigator Jean de Betancourt. According to available descriptions, after the conquest of this island in 1405, he exclaimed: “Que forte aventura!”, which means “What a great adventure!”. The feelings expressed by this phrase have been experienced since then by the legions of tourists who come here to relax.

Lanzarote is an island of lava and volcanoes, the closest to Africa of all the Canary Islands. The island was named after the Genoese navigator Lancelotto Maloseio, who first appeared here in 1312. There are about three hundred volcanoes on the island. The hallmark of Lanzarote are volcanic landscapes, more than 300 craters in black, pink and purple, as well as characteristic fields and vineyards with strange, repeating ring figures. The fertile layer of soil on the island is under a thick layer of ash, so the inhabitants of the island plant vineyards and other plants in deep pits, framing them with rings of fragments of solidified lava.

Cost: 750 euro/person

Price includes:

• rental of a place on a yacht;
• services of a Russian-speaking skipper;
• first and last night in the port.

Extra charge:

• Road to the marina. Organized independently.
• Team expenses – about 300 euros (food, parking in marinas, fuel, gas, outboard motor, bed linen, tourist tax).
• Yacht deposit insurance – EUR 180/team (non-refundable) + EUR 440/team (refundable). Be sure to insure the deposit on the yacht before the cruise in order to avoid financial losses for possible breakdowns.
• Sports type insurance – from 300 UAH/person. in Week.

During this cruise there will be an opportunity to take a full practical yachting course under the ISSA Inshore skipper program.

Students pay extra:

• Practical training with an instructor during the cruise – 250 euros.
• After the cruise: issuance and registration of an ISSA Inshore skipper license – 250 euros.

About carnival.

Pregon is the opening of the carnival, where the host briefly introduces the guests to the upcoming events.

Murgas & Comparsas – local music groups perform entertaining songs. If in the repertoire of Murgas one can hear mainly songs with humorous gestures and movements, then Komparsas are dances and spectacular costumes.

Carnival Queen’s Choice (Gala Reina) – The main focus is on the costumes, and they are simply gorgeous: it is very difficult (or even impossible!) to walk in dresses several meters high and several meters wide. A whole team of designers and seamstresses spend most of the year creating these extravagant costumes. Each participant takes the stage and, walking slowly, demonstrates her costume, allowing the audience to admire it.

Drag Queen is the most popular male-only contest. Their costumes are less bulky and more modest than those of the girls from the carnival queen contest. The members are on stage longer and the focus is on the performance.

Mogollones – free open holidays. Since there are a lot of carnival participants and the number of tickets is limited, there are also several free outdoor festivals. Plays Latin American and salsa music, concerts are held.

Cavalcade (Cabalgata, Gran Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval) is a large parade that takes place after Gala Reina and Drag Queen. Spectators gather on the streets and the winners of the competitions walk through the streets of the city in chic carnival costumes. Many spectators are also dressed in carnival costumes and the atmosphere of the holiday is felt everywhere. The same event is held for children.

“Sardine Funeral” (Entierro de la Sardina) – the last event of the carnival, the atmosphere of which is a little sad, as it symbolizes the end of the carnival. According to tradition, a huge stuffed sardine is carried along the main street of the city to the shore, where it is left for eternal rest.

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How to look near the carnival Santa Curus-de-Tenerife 2019

We are approaching the first major date this New Year. What are we talking about? That we, the inhabitants of Tenerife, already feel this pleasant shiver, because we know that … Carnival in Santa Cruz is approaching!

Very little time left.

And you? Will you come? This year the theme of the carnival is the depths of the sea . We are sure that you will not be disappointed! We know this from experience!

We are writing this post so that you know what to do in Tenerife during the carnival days, which this year fall in late February – early March this year. You should know that we are evolving, that we are in an incredible holiday spirit, and that we have absolutely nothing to hide.

Below are the most important dates of the holiday this year:

• Wednesday, February 27: Gala show on the occasion of the Choice of the Carnival Queen
• Friday, March 1: Cavalcade
• Saturday, March 2: “Rhythm and Harmony”
• Tuesday, March 5: Final Procession of

Because it’s much easier with us! And we will take you to places that cannot be reached by other means.

Yes, with our plans you can experience the carnival from inside , in the front row, in a privileged location. With all conviniences. You only need to choose your preferred event from the ones we are going to offer now. Go!

#1 Reservation for the Rhythm and Harmony Parade

Rhythm and Harmony is the name of the Masquerade Party Parade on Saturday, March 2nd. During the parade, the streets of Francisco La Roche and Maritima are filled with joy, rhythm and color, which distinguish elements of the Carnival of Santa Cruz. This is a real party that will end in the Plaza de España.

And it will be you, in a reserved and exclusive place, with all the comforts: service staff at your disposal so you don’t miss anything, toilets nearby and a kiosk for drinks or snacks.

ATTENTION: if you know that parades are your thing, there will be a Procession on the last day of the carnival, which we will tell you about later. If you also want to enjoy the end of the party, in both cases you will find the possibility of booking a place for two days at the special price , cheaper than booking separately.

#2 Reserved seat for the final procession

This parade, the last of the Santa Cruz Carnival, will take place on Tuesday, March 5th. This will be the culmination of the holiday, because it is so closely associated with the word “apotheosis”.

It will take place in the same location as Rhythm and Harmony and you will be able to admire it from the same privileged area. In this case, what you will see at the parade … everything! Carnival participants, queens and their courts, masquerade groups, themed bands, itinerant musicians, musical bands… This is an explosion of color, rhythm, music and joy that you cannot miss under any circumstances if you come to the carnival in Santa -Cruz.

Remember that if you want, you can reserve your seat for the Rhythm and Harmony Procession and Parade at a special price. Just select this option in every experience.

#3 Queen’s Choice Gala Show

You must have seen this gala show on TV many times. It is shown on many channels not only nationally but also internationally: costumes, shows and a new theme each year have led to the fact that the Santa Cruz Carnival has become the second most important carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro.

The solemn election of the Queen will take place on Wednesday, February 27, in the afternoon at the Center for Congresses and International Fairs. Here’s what you’ll get on this 6-hour experience:

• Backstage tour to see all the candidates’ costumes up close.
• Seat in the VIP area, right in front of the stage.
• City bus tour

If you want to see something you can’t see on TV, about one of the most famous carnival galas on the planet, this plan is for you.

#4 Cavalcade Platform

When we say from the inside, we mean from the INSIDE. In fact.

This experience will take you to the tourist bus that will pass through the streets of Santa Cruz during the Cavalcade and Procession. That is, you can choose between opening the carnival (March 1) or closing (March 5). But attention: event will make you part of the parade!

Go!

You must come in fancy dress, yes, and want to have a great time, because throughout the parade, DJ music does not stop playing on the platform, there will be cold and hot snacks, as well as a free bar. You will have a great time!

This is to fully immerse yourself in the Santa Cruz Carnival 2019; especially since the theme of this year is the depths of the sea!

That’s the whole article. We hope we have infected you with our enthusiasm to start the party.

Tick-tock, tick-tock… Almost no time left!

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dates and program in Russian

In 2020, the Tenerife Carnival will be held from February 19 to March 1. The main theme this year is “the fifties”. See our schedule, choose dates to visit and prepare your costumes.

As usual, the main action will take place in Santa Cruz. Everything here is the brightest, loudest and most fun. But there are also local carnivals for tourists: in Icod de los Vinos, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantos and Puerto de la Cruz.

We have compiled a schedule of main events and parties in Russian. Read and come to have fun at Carnival 2020 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!

Schedule of the Canary Carnival 2020 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife:

• Concurso de Murgas February 7th. The final of the adult competition of funny songs – Murgas. You need to buy tickets in advance.
• February 9th. Election of the queen of the carnival among children. You need to buy tickets in advance.
• Gala de Elección de la Reina. February 12 Election of the queen among adults. You need to buy tickets in advance.
• Cabalgata Anunciadora. On February 21, the street carnival 2020 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will begin with the First Procession. On this day, there will be a large costumed parade and a procession of orchestras. Start at 20:00 from Republic Square
• February 23 – Day Carnival and Nifu Nifa at Plaza Principe. It is better to come with children on this day. Start at 11 o’clock. The daytime carnival itself will start at 17:30.

• Lunes del Carnaval. 24 February. Dancing in different parts of Santa Cruz. DJs and orchestras.
• Coso apoteosis. February 25th. This costumed parade is the main carnival procession in Tenerife in 2020. Start at 16:00.
• Entierro de La Sardina. On February 26, the Burial of the Sardine will take place. Night feria with a full break until the morning. The hero of the occasion will be carried by men dressed as widows – a “bright” spectacle. The action is very strong, be careful! If you want the most intense Tenerife carnival experience in 2020, come here on this date. Just leave your prejudices at home ;).
• Beginning at 22:00. Route Calle Juan Pablo – Plaza de España.
• Coso Infantil. 28th of February. The main children’s carnival procession. Start at 6 pm in Garcia Sanabria Park. It is better to come with children on this day.
• On the same day, the winners of the Canary Carnival 2020 will march from Piazza Candelaria at 8 pm.
• February 29th. Another daytime procession and performances of musical groups. Locations: Plaza de España, Plaza Candelaria and Plaza del Príncipe. Start at noon.
• March 1st. The final day of the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2020. Start at 11 am, and end at 9 pm with a grandiose fireworks display. Displays of the best costumes, works and an exhibition of old cars.

With our full Tenerife Carnival 2020 schedule, you can easily decide on the dates and don’t miss out!

We advise you to come to the carnival by bus, because all parking lots in Santa Cruz will be occupied, and half of the streets will be closed. If you are traveling from the southern resorts of Tenerife, then take buses 111 and 110 to the final stop – Bus Station.

If you are going with children or looking for a quiet holiday, then come to the children’s day or daytime processions.
If you are going to the night carnival in Santa Cruz and plan to party to the fullest, then leave the documents at home, take a copy on your phone and a small amount of money. Do not drink drinks from strangers if you intend to remember what is happening.

See in advance where the procession and music venues will be on the day of the visit. To do this, use the Carnival 2020 program schedule above and the map with festive venues in Santa Cruz de Tenerife below.

Dress for the weather, the temperature difference between north and south can be up to 10 degrees. Read more about the weather in Tenerife in February here. And here about the weather in March.

Photos from Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival 2020

Main dates for Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Start with a visit to Cabalgata Anunciadora. This is the first carnival procession through the city, costumed parade and orchestras. Below is a picture of the itinerary for the day.

Carnaval de Día is a daytime carnival. You can visit it with children.

Sardine’s funeral is a poignant spectacle, with men dressing as widows and waving intimate devices. Very amateur.

A lot of fun on the Day of Apotheosis, maximum holiday. This is the main carnival procession.

On the Mascarita ponte tacón, men dressed as women run in heels.

What is the result?

Carnival in Tenerife is no less colorful than the Brazilian one in Rio de Janeiro. Silver can rightfully be given to the Canary Islands. It has been held here since the 1960s.

The carnival in Tenerife acquired its scale in the early 60s after a lull associated with the civil wars in Spain. This fun holiday takes place in February, before the Catholic fast before Easter. The last week is the main one. It is at this time that processions, concerts and parties take place.

In addition to the main site – Santa Cruz, the carnival in Tenerife is held in Icod de los Vinos, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantos and Puerto de la Cruz. Tourists from Europe and all over the world come to the capital. In the main square of Santa Cruz, the queen is greeted, the retinue and the heralding cavalcade are marching.

For a whole month there are competitions of street musicians and artists, costume contests and defiles of retro cars. The apotheosis of the carnival is the Koso parade, which takes place on Tuesday of the carnival week.

Burial of the sardine is a ritual that is observed in the major cities of Tenerife: Santa Cruz, Los Realejos, La Orotava and Puerto de le Cruz. The main sardine is created from papier-mache, and the procession carries this throne with a huge fish. Mourners, masked escorts, inconsolable widows march through the streets wailing and wailing.

At the end of the festivities, they have fun breaking piñatas and arrange numerous parties, defiles and exhibitions everywhere.

Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Sewing costumes for princesses. Designers sew new costumes every time, strictly according to the theme of the year. Bright, noticeable and impressive outfits are not easy to wear. Most often they are heavy and massive, especially headdresses, so queens must be not only beautiful, but also hardy.

Opening of the carnival. The holiday begins with a carnival procession. It is accompanied by dances and performances. A mass of people fills the streets of Santa Cruz and forms a living river.

Performances by musical and choreographic groups. Various artistic groups prepare a program for performances at the Canary Carnival all year round. And the audience is happy to participate in the evaluation of performances. The best receive awards.

Humorina. Concurso de Murgas. Murga is a mix of theatrical and musical performance mixed with parody and sarcasm on social and political topics. Parody contest Song of Laughter, one of the main ones at the carnival. Vocal data is not highly appreciated here, but a sense of humor is a must.

Carnival parade. The Apogee of the Celebration is a costumed parade, which is greeted with fireworks and firecrackers. On this night, few people do not sleep on the island – everyone walks until the morning. Here is such a loud holiday in the Canary Islands.

Queen’s Choice. Mandatory stage that opens the street carnival. The Carnival Queen has the best outfit and main beauty, according to the judges. In a children’s procession, a mini-queen is chosen.

Burial of Sardine. The carnival ends with a comical funeral procession in dark grotesque costumes. At the end of the parade, a hefty papier-mâché sardine is burned. Burning is accompanied by feigned groans and weeping. Tenerife says goodbye to carnival until next year.

The Tenerife Carnival is an amazing spectacle worth visiting the island for. Young people will especially like the week of holidays! Ibiza is resting =).

Some dates from the history of carnival

2010 marked the 75th anniversary of the selection of the first Carnival Queen, known as Miss Carnival. In 1935, Onagra Diaz Lorenzo won the 1935 Vampiressa category at the age of 16.

The first performance, organized by the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, took place in 1965 on the stage of the Guimera Theatre. Then the winner was Maria de los Angeles Gimbernat. The title was renamed: Miss Carnival became the Queen of the Carnival.

In 2011, the golden anniversary of the Carnival in Tenerife was celebrated, starting from the winter festival, initiated at 1961 years old.

Reviews and photos from the festival

See the photos of the Hiking Tenerife magazine from the carnival and write your impressions about the holiday in the comments.

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Reviews of tourists. 303 reviews – Turister.Ru

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Seasons in Teide Park

Teide Volcano National Park – Santiago del Teide

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Canaries today

Spain, Canary Islands – Spain

Before the port town of Corralejo was chosen by tourists from cloudy and cold countries, here, on the eternally hot northern outskirts of the island of Fuerteventura, only fishermen lived and worked. And then the local port, far from the capitals, authorities and taxes, was chosen . ..

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Carnival “Fantasy” in Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Spain

Carnival, held annually in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is the second largest and most popular carnival in the world after the Brazilian carnival . On the day of the main procession, the streets are filled with thousands of participants and tens of thousands of guests.
The event is very spectacular. I would say that spectacularity and sensuality are the main features…

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Alone on the island

Lanzarote, Canary Islands – Spain

Travel to Lanzarote, leisure, adventure, history, local features.

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La Orotava. From ship to ball

La Orotava – Spain

Silence, colonial charm and the sounds of a noisy holiday in the streets of La Orotava – the oldest city in Tenerife.

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Laurels and palms. Landscapes Tenerife

Tenerife – Spain

Tenerife struck with a variety of landscapes and landscapes. Plantations of palm trees and banana plantations, steep cliffs, foggy valleys, relict forests, volcanic and sandy beaches, and all this in the background – the blue of the sea waves …

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Two days in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico – Spain

When we returned from Tenerife back to Gran Canaria, we still had two days before flying home. Where to spend them? Maspalomas for the first six days already somehow tired. Shouldn’t we stay in the resort town of Puerto Rico, where it seems to be one of the best beaches on the entire island?

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On the mountain roads of the island of Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura, Betancuria – Spain

The island of Fuerteventura turned out to be much larger than Lanzarote. Will we have time to see all its beauty in two days?

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Fuerteventura and Corralejo Dunes

La Oliva, Corralejo – Spain

In order not to sit all week in Lanzarote, we set aside two days to explore the neighboring island of Fuerteventura. And we started from the most famous place – the sand dunes of Corralejo.

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097mcn January 2019

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Tenerife. Island where bottles are crushed 😉

Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Spain

After spending a week in Gran Canaria, then we went to the island of Tenerife. Well, we love the islands, what to do 🙂
We were afraid that because of the coronavirus we might not be allowed on the ferry, but it worked out – a few days before the trip, the authorities of the Canary Islands lowered the level of danger in both Gran Canaria and Tenerife …

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Gran Canaria. Island where jacaranda blooms

Dunes of Maspalomas

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Canaries during the pandemic

Lanzarote – Spain

When the vacation is scheduled for December, and it’s almost impossible to go anywhere, we go wherever we can.
In order to be warm, but without quarantine upon arrival or upon returning back to Germany, by mid-December only Madeira and the Canary Islands remained.
We were in Madeira in March and it was colder there, it disappeared….

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Carnival in Tenerife 2019

In February, in Tenerife, we got to the carnival. Well, how can one not look at least with one eye at the bright and magnificent dresses of the queens, at the dressed-up men and half-naked dancing girls. Let’s go with us?

Carnival in Tenerife is a grandiose bright costume festival. Carnaval de Tenerife (or Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife) combines the sophistication of Venice with Brazilian passion. It is considered the largest in Europe, the second largest in the world after the carnival in Rio. Is it so?

See the Carnival program in 2019 at the end of the article.

A large-scale celebration covers all the cities of the island: La Laguna, Orotava, Arona, Candelaria, Puerto de la Cruz and others. The main events take place in the capital of the island – Santa Cruz (in Plaza de España). This is exactly where we went.

We didn’t really want to go by car, and we might not get on the bus on the way back, so we bought a transfer from a local travel agency for €22, so that we could be taken and brought without any hassle. At 2pm everyone was already in their best viewing positions.

Each municipality develops its own program of activities. According to guidebooks, guests of the Canary archipelago can see all the variety of traditions – from unrestrained metropolitan fun to the cozy atmosphere of provincial celebrations. Well, let’s see.

The city’s central square was drained for the sake of the carnival. Recently, there was a lake here.

Someone takes a higher seat to be at the level of carnival queens.

We took 2 chairs in the wide area to take some cool pictures. I had to pay €2 for the chairs.

Not all children were bought a place, so they were located right on the pavement. How many dressed up cheerful children there were!

Closer to 4 o’clock the first platform appeared in the distance. Music played loudly. A cheerful column was led by a peasant in a wig.

On the roof of Studio 54, everyone was just starting to fill up with alcohol and waved very sluggishly to the audience. Oh, what a mischievous fun will be in the evening!

A lady of Balzac’s age was traveling with us on the bus from Los Gigantes in a bright pink puffy dress, pink hair and ears with springs. It is clear that she is not the first. By the way, the king and queen are passing by…

Everyone participates in the carnival: local residents and guests of the Canaries, mature people and young people; the kids have their own mini carnival. The first beauties of the island take part in the casting for the role of the queen of the holiday. Numerous designers and tailors create costumes, and an army of props makes props and scenery.

The queens were chosen last week in the concert hall. By the way, I’ll tell you a little about the carnival program. It lasts almost a month!

Main events of the Carnival

The carnival opens with the ceremony Pregon . The host introduces the program of events to all those present, after which Murgas and Komparsas, local music and dance groups, perform. They perform verses and songs dedicated to current events.

The first solemn event is the choice of the Queen (Gala Reina). Applicants for this role appear before the jury in incredible outfits. It takes meters of fabric, a lot of feathers, kilograms of sequins and rhinestones to sew carnival dresses. We were not at this event, but we saw some queens at the parade, I’m attaching photos.

Celebrities, locals and visitors sit on the jury. Girls must be beautiful and hardy – it’s not so easy to move around the stage when your outfit weighs more than a dozen kilos. The newly elected queen takes a place of honor.

Just imagine how a fragile woman drags behind her an elegantly decorated huge trailer made of feathers, rhinestones, colorful ribbons. At the competition, they do all this themselves without assistants. And today, at the carnival, they were simply loaded with dresses into the back of trucks and rolled to the delight of the public.

There is also a competition among children. Look at the children’s carnival queen. Lena did not immediately recognize her as a girl. Says she is 30 years old…

The first carnival procession is called the Cabalgata Anunciadora. For more than four hours, a procession has been walking through the streets of the island capital, announcing the opening of the main celebrations. After that, a series of performances, parades and competitions begins.

Among them: Drag Queen – a procession of transvestites in elegant dresses and shoes on a high platform. Mogollones – free outdoor concerts, a parade of vintage cars, the choice of the queen of the children’s mini-carnival and much more.

The culmination of the holiday is the Gran Coso parade. It takes place on Tuesday of Maslenitsa week and becomes the apogee of celebrations. Hundreds of thousands of participants come to the mass procession. It lasts for many hours – the streets are filled with a dressed-up crowd, moving to the incendiary rhythms of Latin. Everybody is dancing! Street dances are accompanied by loud music and explosions of firecrackers. The crowded action is illuminated by fireworks and subsides only in the morning. That’s what I’m talking about today.

Folklore ensembles, dance and music groups perform, theater groups give gala performances. Enterprises and companies operating on the island are sure to send their representatives to the holiday. Everyone is involved in fun costumed processions, regardless of age, gender, status.

Children

Children occupy a special place at the carnival, perhaps it is for them that this afternoon show is arranged. Everyone participates in the parade, from kindergarten to high school students.

Here is a girl who is happy to pose for everyone in a beautiful dress.

High school students all dressed up in fortresses with clocks and an owl on their heads.

And this is probably a group from kindergarten. They walk, laugh, blow bubbles.

There are also very original costumes. Triton riding a shark with a lush little mermaid with a pink tail.

Another one of the nominees for the title of child queen. The dress looks like a toy store.

The cake girl goes with her mother, maybe they are from some local pastry shop.

Thoughtful unicorn boy dreaming about something of his own.

Mischievous cockerel boys talk and crow temperamentally.

Little flamenco dancers in bright green dresses and black hats.

Well, what if you don’t have a local delicacy? A man carries a bag of what on his head? Of course with Canarian potatoes!

Freaks

The most popular carnival costume is a man in women’s clothing. The glib ladyboy from the Moulin Rouge. Perhaps in ordinary life he is a strict store manager selling pumps for oil refineries, but here he is a star!

And we saw this clockwork man with a backpack a week later on the other side of the island. He was still sausage in his hat, walking along the road with a can of beer.

Thrush?

So what? I took underwear from a friend, put it on, oops – the outfit is ready.

The wonders of cutting and sewing. With just fabric and foam, fake boobs and a Brazilian brown booty can be made.

Or a Brazilian brown butt.

And you can just shock everyone by walking in your grandmother’s silk robe and shaking your pussy.

And these representatives of gay Europe… E… what can I say…

Immortal old Jackson himself with a formidable security guard.

Punk with tattoos and… a dog.

The tradition of carnivals in Tenerife dates back to the 17th century. European customs entered the island along with the conquistadors. The staged wedding of the court of Philip IV can be considered the first masquerade holiday. Everyone dressed up: the court men – as ladies, the king – as a lackey, the queen – as a commoner. At that holiday, ordinary inhabitants of the island also hid under masks. Remaining unrecognized, they could ridicule the shortcomings of their masters. Carnival freedom removed all prohibitions and prejudices.

This principle is still practiced today. During the carnival, all norms of decent behavior are canceled – people allow themselves harmless hooligan antics and even petty theft. Masks hide all sins! It is hard for the police at this time, but no hooligans can destroy the amazing atmosphere of the holiday.

In the history of carnivals there were periods of prosperity, times of stagnation and severe persecution. During the years of Franco’s dictatorship, the holiday was banned, even its name could not be mentioned. Subsequently, the official ban was lifted, but the carnival was condemned and considered an unworthy event. Residents of Tenerife ignored prohibitions and prejudices, and illegally held their carnival.

The tradition was revived by 1961. In 1967, the “Winter Festival” was held, which attracted tourists to the island. Soon it was renamed Carnival. Since that time, El Carnaval de Tenerife has again become a national holiday – revered and loved.

Since 1976, the celebrations have been officially authorized by the government and fixed in the calendar. Since 1980, the holiday has become an international event. The carnival of 1987, which took place in the capital, was included in the Guinness Book. Then more than two hundred thousand people simultaneously took part in street salsa to the songs of Cecilia Cruz.

Year by year the holiday becomes brighter and larger. Each time the main theme of the new carnival is determined. Usually it is associated with historical events and is published on the official website of the event.

Ordinary residents of the Canary Islands without complexes show off in front of the audience. Everything happens sincerely and naturally. It is worth noting cheerful grannies.

Ladies of any age are beautiful and attractive.

Nobody is ashamed of their body. Everyone loves themselves the way they are.

I even saw an older queen in a gorgeous bright dress.

Are you bored? A little more positivity.

I know what you’re most looking forward to – more queens with huge … dresses. How do you like another mermaid?

Come on, just kidding. I’m posting everything I’ve photographed.

The girl’s dress should be minimal, and the plumage should be as spreading as possible.

Greetings from Tenerife!

Almost all of them had another girl in a more modest dress on the back side. Probably a double.

Very original, like a snow queen with frozen icicles of colored ice.

Gorgeous lady again.

And one more thing.

Now dancing!

Yes!!! A man with a display of strong scoundrels. He went and treated everyone to whiskey or vodka.

This couple is on the contrary for a healthy lifestyle. Slim, tight. Gladiator and his beloved.

A girl with a camera. Very cute.

Bratva from the legendary game of all time – Packman! Remember how the gingerbread man ran around the screen and ate apples?

Carnival, carnival!

Girls with bells.

Some Thai costumes.

Oops, what hats!

A hipster on a bamboo bike.

Wire bicycle. Is it fashionable?

Yes, great bike!

How do you like this Ferrari?

Elvis is alive! Only the guitar is kind of small.

Funny drummers.

Ghostbusters and Green Slime made of polyurethane foam.

The little ones want to participate too. Pay attention to the smoked baby in the background.

Cake hat. Don’t forget the Shrek cookie.

Another baby queen. I like this one better.

Little gymnasts put on a show. They twisted, tumbled, sat on the twine.

When they told everyone to smile…

Hulk, Iron Man and Spider.

Cool ladies.

Baby elephant.

Want an Instagram photo?

There is nothing to wear!

And these are probably postmen from all over the city. Nyashka is also with them.

Astronauts and rocket kids!

Kitty is bored.

Doctors will save you from all winter ailments and spring beriberi.

How do you like Chewbacca and the boy? Don’t forget about Star Wars either. The whole delegation passed.

It was getting late. On the street, it’s already trash and fun. And we, like diligent pensioners, will go to get ready for bed.

A whole field of buses transported the cheerful participants and spectators of the carnival all evening.

How does the carnival end?

Funeral procession and farewell to Sardina (photo: Carnaval Los Gigantes)

The next day the last carnival event takes place – Entierro de la Sardina (Funeral of the Sardine) . Just like at our Maslenitsa, its participants burn the symbol of the outgoing holiday in the square – a huge fish made of cardboard. The sardine is accompanied by a sad procession in masks – it can be sad to say goodbye to the carnival. The audience is crying, filling the streets with theatrical moans. The ashes left from the burnt effigy are buried on the beach. However, there is no time to be sad. From the next day begins the preparation for the new holiday!

When is Carnival?

In 2016, the carnival took place from 21 January to 21 February.

People start preparing for the new holiday immediately after the closing of the previous carnival. The timing of the celebrations varies every year. The beginning of the celebrations is determined by the date of Catholic Easter: the carnival must be completed by Lent. The program is designed for a whole month, but the main events fall on the last, Shrovetide week. Usually the holiday takes place in February, sometimes in March.

You can check the dates and see the detailed program of the next Carnival here.

It was fun, but modest enough for a carnival.

Misha was with you. I myself was there, I drank honey and beer, it flowed down my mustache, it didn’t get into my mouth, my soul became drunk and satisfying.

Tenerife Carnival Program 2019

27 February, Wednesday. The Carnival Queen Election Final is the brightest show and a great opportunity to admire the costumes that many people have been working on for a whole year. The event starts at 21-00. Venue: International Exhibition Center.

March 1, Friday. Cabalgata Anunciadora is the first street performance of the carnival. The event starts at 21-00. The venue is off the Avenue of Belgium.

March 2, Saturday. Ritmo y Armonía – an unforgettable performance of carnival participants dancing and singing to the rhythmic sounds of the batukada. The event starts at 21-00. Venue: Francisco Rocher Avenue.

March 3, Sunday. On this day you have the opportunity to visit the daytime carnival – a beautiful procession in which all teams take part. An ideal option for those who want to visit the carnival with children. Also on this day, a costume contest and a concert of lyrical musical groups – Los Fregolinos are held. And the performance of the musical group “Afilarmónica Ni fú – Ni fá” The event starts at 11-00. Venue: Prince’s Square.

March 4, Monday. On this day, it will be possible to start dancing on almost any street in the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Love noisy fun until you drop? Then this day is for you!

March 5, Tuesday. The performance of the musical group “Afilarmónica Ni fú – Ni fá” will take place at 11-00. Concert of lyrical musical groups – Los Fregolinos – at 11-00. The main procession of the carnival – Coso Apoteosis will begin at 16-00. The starting point of the procession is Francisco Rocher Avenue.

March 6, Wednesday. The most anticipated event of the carnival is the Burial of the Sardine! It starts with a parody procession and ends with the burning of a stuffed Sardine. The procession will start at 22:00 from Juan Pablo II Street.

March 7, Thursday. Rondallas Festival. The Rondallas are typically Tenerife musical bands consisting mainly of male musicians playing guitars, lutes and bandurrias. The event starts at 20-30. Venue: Guimer Theatre.

March 8, Friday. Children’s carnival procession. The event starts at 18:00. Location Park Garcia Sanabria. Also on this day, the procession of the winners of the carnival will take place. The event starts at 20:00. The starting point of the procession is Candelaria Square.

March 9, Saturday. Saturday Piñata! On this day, the daytime procession will be repeated, in which almost all participants of the carnival will take part. The event starts at 13:00. Venue: Prince’s Square, Plaza de España and Piazza Candelaria.

March 10, Sunday. Sunday piñata! Last day of carnival! The performance of the musical group “Afilarmónica Ni fú – Ni fá” will take place at 11-00. Venue: Prince’s Square. At the end of the holiday there will be a big festive fireworks!

Program source.

Action Plan: Tenerife Carnival 2019

Which days to visit?

March 5, Tuesday. The main procession of the carnival – Coso Apoteosis will begin at 16-00. The starting point of the procession is Francisco Rocher Avenue.

March 6, Wednesday. The most anticipated carnival event is the Burial of the Sardine! It starts with a parody procession and ends with the burning of a stuffed Sardine. The procession will start at 22:00 from Juan Pablo II Street.

How to fly to Tenerife?

S7 and Aeroflot flies to Tenerife. Convenient direct flights from Moscow, excellent connections with the regions. There are already no cheap tickets for the dates of the carnival final, so you can fly a week earlier for 16 thousand in both directions. Get your tickets through the Tenerife low price calendar.

How to get to the Carnival?

Drive to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, part of the seaport is allocated for parking.

If you are afraid of not finding a parking space or want to drink a beer, then book a group transfer by bus. You will be picked up from the hotel, given a mini tour in Russian and brought back. We ordered from Atlantico here.

Moors and Christians Festival

Moors and Christians Holiday

See also my report from Moors and Christians Festival:

Other reports from the trip:

Fuerteventura | Equatorial

Fuerteventura is the second largest island of the Canary archipelago after Tenerife, the island of sun and tranquility. Like the surrounding islands, it is of volcanic origin. It is believed that Fuerteventura is the oldest island in the Canary archipelago, formed as a result of volcanic eruptions that occurred many millennia ago.

Main resorts – Costa Calma, Morro del Jable and Playa Matorral, located on the Jandia Peninsula, as well as Caleta del Fustes and Playa de Corralejo.

8 things to do in Fuerteventura:

1. Hand-feed tame (if not insolent) chipmunks, of which there are a great many on the island.
2. Taste the delicious local goat cheese “Mahorato” (it is better to take the weight one).
3. Admire the bizarre lava fields.
4. To visit near Corralejo on the most beautiful beach of the island – white sand, yellow dunes, blue sky and turquoise sea…
5. Rent a car and drive around the whole island.
6. Fish with shrimp and cuttlefish for bait and enjoy a rich catch.
7. Dine in the restaurant at the church of Santa Maria in Betancuria.
8. Understand what a really strong wind that knocks you down is in the town of Kafete.

How to get there

You can get to Fuertoventura by plane from Madrid or Barcelona, ​​as well as from the island of Tenerife, which has air links with Moscow. Between Fuerteventura and other Canary Islands, sea and air communication is carried out. You can get around the island by bus, taxi or rent a car.

Climate

The beach season on the island lasts all year round. The average temperature in July is +27°C, in January – about +20°C. The ocean water temperature is +20 °C all year round. A feature of Fuerteventura is the constant wind, which makes the climate on the island much milder than on the nearby coast of Africa.

Beaches

Fuerteventura has without a doubt the best and longest beaches in the archipelago. Most of its coastline (340 km) is white sand beaches, which are mostly pristine and deserted. The abundance of sand on the island allows you to enjoy the sea alone. Even on the most famous beaches, such as Leeward Beach on the Jandia peninsula, you can walk for many kilometers without meeting a single person.

Fuerteventura has dozens of beaches. The northern and western beaches of Corralejo, Cofete and Barlovento are less developed due to constant winds and are popular with windsurfers.

In the east of the island lies the longest beach of the island of Sotavento, whose coastline reaches 30 km. In fact, it consists of several smaller beaches: Matoral, Butihondo and Sotavento proper. Every year in July-August, the World Windsurfing Championship takes place here, and the strait between Lobos and Fuerteventura is a great place for diving. Deep sea fishing and boat trips are offered in the Playa de Corralejo and Morro del Jable area.

In the south of the island are: the sandy beach of Juan Gómez, the black volcanic pebble beach of La Pared and the long golden sand beach of Viejo Rey. Nudism is allowed on all these beaches.

The sea on the island is also special, because due to the features of the Fuerteventura shelf, it is shallow and the water is extremely clear, turquoise. The underwater fauna here is very rich and varied, which is favorable for spearfishing.

Currently, most of the tourists are concentrated on the Jandia peninsula, in the south of the island. This natural space is separated from the rest of the island and is almost completely surrounded by white sandy beaches. To the west are the Windward Beaches, which are somewhat dangerous for swimming and remain pristine. In the east, sandy beaches stretch for 20 km, and their width in some places exceeds 1 km. There are two tourist centers here: Costa Calma, next to the incomparable Leeward Beach, and Morro Jable, built on the harbor from which hydrofoils leave for the island of Gran Canaria.

Recreation and sports

Windsurfing is Fuerteventura’s main sport, and thousands of amateurs come to its coast each year, convinced that they are in one of the best places in the world to practice this sport. Jandia Beach has hosted the World Championships several times.

Fuerteventura does not have numerous clubs and discos, which makes it an alternative to the surrounding youth and party resorts. This island is a place for a quiet and secluded family vacation, as well as a favorite gathering place for surfers from all over the world.

There are also small tourist centers in the central part and in the north of the island. Not far from the airport and the capital, Puerto del Rosario, is Caleta de Fustes. On the north coast – Corralejo, next to a huge dune beach, where you can recommend to go to relax. There is also a fishing pier where you can enjoy delicious fish and from where you can make an excursion to the neighboring volcanic island of Lobos and Lanzarote.

Desert by the sea

Fuerteventura, located just 115 km from the coast of Africa, is more African-like than any other island. Its territory (1700 km?) has been eroded for millions of years, resulting in the formation of deserts with small hills and long plains, which at the sea turn into beaches with fine golden sand.

The ancient geological age of this island is the reason for its erosional relief. This, in turn, causes little precipitation, as the low mountains cannot hold the moist oceanic clouds as they do on other islands. Thus, the climate of Fuerteventura is dry and sunny, which is not conducive to the development of vegetation, which is represented mainly by xerophiles, which, nevertheless, are of botanical value.

Due to the dry climate, the nature of the island is exceptional. Due to the unsuitability of the island for agriculture, its hinterland remained uninhabited for centuries, preserving the beauty of its untouched desert landscapes. Its weathered, dry surface is favorable to some very peculiar ecosystems. This is especially important on the coast, where large and even sandy ecosystems, such as on the Jandia peninsula, or dune ecosystems, such as in Corralejo, and rich underwater fauna have formed due to the extensive shelf.

Attractions of the island

Among the various names of the island of Fuerteventura, the one given to it by Miguel Unamuno, who called the island “spiritual rock”, refers to the magical charm that this island has on the people living on it, even despite or perhaps because of the mixture of feelings of loneliness, focus and security that this land awakens.

The administrative center of the island is Puerto del Rosario, or “Port of Roses”. It was once called Puerto de Cabras (“Goat Port”) because of the herds of local goats passing by it to a nearby gorge for a watering hole. It is goats that are an integral part of the Fuerteventura landscapes: they are considered a real symbol of the island, their image crowns the bumpers of almost all local cars, and there are more of these animals on the island than people.

Due to the dry climate, agriculture could not develop further than the rocky soil and lack of water allowed. This led to the sparsely populated island. Even today, when desalination plants appeared and tourism developed, the population density here is the lowest in the Canaries: 22 people per 1 km². The economy has traditionally been based on the breeding of goats, which made it possible to produce excellent cheese “mahorero” from the ancient name of the island – Mahorata. This handmade cheese is considered the best in the Canaries and has often won international exhibitions.

Windmills are scattered across the plains of Fuerteventura, and the most picturesque villages in the Canaries, such as Antigua, Pajara and Betancuria, are lost in its mountains. The latter is by far the most beautiful on the island. Its appearance has not changed since its foundation at the beginning of the 15th century, and the beauty of its natural environment, as it were, carries ancient spirituality. It is worth visiting the Church of St. Mary and the Archaeological Museum. The Betancuria Museum with archaeological, paleontological and ethnographic expositions immerses visitors into the life of the ancient natives – the Machs: tells about their traditions, crafts and beliefs. The settlement of Betancuria itself is located in the crater of an extinct volcano – this is one of the most beautiful settlements in Fuerteventura.

The Antigua Craft Center features an old corn mill with traditional milling equipment, a garden with native plants, and a Museum of Salt and its role in the local ecosystem. Mills are another symbol of Fuerteventura: they are female and male “gender” – the former have a cylindrical base, the latter have a square base and are more angular. The mills symbolize the prosperity and wealth of the island.

Fuerteventura’s historical monument is the so-called House of the Colonels in the municipality of La Oliva, in the northern part of the island. This small palace of original architecture for centuries served as the residence of the governor of the island, and today is a witness to the serfdom that lasted until the 19th century.

The village of La Oliva is interesting for its architecture: once the military governors of the island lived here, today the governor’s mansion has been restored and is open to the public. No less interesting is the church of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria with a square bell tower and a very beautiful carved wooden door. Inside there is a canvas depicting the Last Judgment, baroque paintings on the altar and paintings made in the trompe technique. Also in the village is an art center presenting the work of Canarian artists.

The Cueva del Llano cave near La Oliva was formed by the island’s volcanic activity and is at least 1 million years old. With a depth of 400 m, it introduces visitors to the bowels of the Canary Islands and their paleontological history.

The Camel Oasis Zoo is located in the fishing village of La Lajite on Fuerteventura’s east coast, with parrot shows, horse and camel rides. Another zoo – Stela Canaris – presents visitors with rare species of birds and reptiles. The Cactus Botanical Garden in La Lajita, in southern Fuerteventura, presents 2,500 varieties of cacti and succulents to visitors.

The fishing villages of Cortalejo and El Cotillo on the northern coast offer a glimpse of Fuerteventura by the sea. In its harbors you can enjoy delicious seafood.

Cuisine

The most popular representative of the island’s traditional cuisine is the jacket potato, boiled in very salty water and served in a garlic sauce.