What's happen in the Canaries
The inhabitants of the Canary Islands are in general deeply devoted to religion and traditions – and the Lanzaroteños do not make an exception – which explains that the majority of fiestas being celebrated on the island is associated with the cult of saints, in particular patron saints of the island, towns or villages. Some are related to a special event, like the beginning of the summer, or a ‘miracle’ like it happened in the village of Mancha Blanca (where the salvation from being devastated by a lava flow was attributed to the Virgin of the Volcanoes). The origins of most of these fiestas date back centuries.
What's on throughout the year
January
Día de los Reyes (6th January)
The Epiphany is celebrated in Lanzarote like almost everywhere in the Christian world, with this day marking the end of the Christmas celebrations. In several towns bonfires are lit in memory of those who, according to the legend, set Bethlehem on fire to hide the North Star from the King Herod.
Traditionally, in Spain, it is on Three Kings’ Day that the Christmas gifts are given to the beloved ones, as this was the day when the Three Kings gave their offers to Baby Jesus.
On this occasion, shops all around the island sell the Kings’ Cake (Roscón de Reyes), a cake, which is prepared – additionally to the usual baking ingredients – with lemon and orange juice, brandy and orange flower water, covered with crystallized fruits and sliced almonds. Inside the cake there is always a coin, a small gift and a broad bean (tradition says that the person who gets the bean pays for the next cake).
The Christmas celebrations end with the Cabalgata de Reyes (Procession of the Three Kings) in Arrecife where the Three Kings parade through town on camels throwing sweets to the children.
February/March
Carnaval
Carnival is the most attended celebration on the island, with thousands of people following the parades of floats. Some say that the origins of these festivities are religious, whilst others claim that they date back to pagan times. Carnival was even prohibited by the Franco regime because of its licentiousness and frivolity. It ends on, or in some places even after, Ash Wednesday with the ‘Burial of the Sardine’. The ‘Burial of the Sardine’ is a peculiar ceremony, concerning the rescue of a giant mock-up sardine from the beach and all the attempts ‘to save its life’ – in the end the sardine always dies to be cremated in a huge bonfire, marking the end of the Carnival celebrations.
Allied to a naturally attractive event are some traditions, such as the performances of the murgas, the comparsas, the Parranda de Los Buches (in Arrecife) and the Parranda de Los Diabletes (in Teguise). The murgas are groups that compose their own saucy lyrics to well-known songs and the comparsas are groups who dance to samba rhythms – both typical in the island’s Carnival celebrations. The Los Buches have seafaring origins – wearing traditional costumes and masks, they dance and sing, while hitting spectators with dried fish bladders filled with air. Los Diabletes, disguised with devilish masks, ‘terrorise’ children in the streets of Teguise.
March
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
During the Semana Santa – the week before Easter – you will be able to see solemn pre-Easter processions, where sacred icons and religious statues are carried through the streets of many villages and towns throughout the island.
May 15th
Romería de San Isidro
Uga, located in southern Lanzarote, is the stage for the Romería de San Isidro that takes place on the 15th of May. This festivity is featuring a colourfully decorated procession, with even dromedaries participating (as Uga is also the camel raising area of the island) and many folklore performances.
May
Ironman Triathlon Competition
Among the professional competitions held each year in Lanzarote, the IRONMAN stands out, one of the most important triathlon events in the world. Around eight hundred athletes compete for the title as they attempt to complete a 3.8 km (2.4 miles) swim, 180 km (112.5 miles) bicycle ride and a 42 km (26.25 miles) run, all in one day.
The race organization and headquarters are located at Club La Santa on the north coast of the island. This exciting sports playground has superb sports and accommodation amenities, providing coaching and training facilities for 64 Olympic disciplines – a paradise for all sports enthusiasts.
Although the main event takes place on one day only, the event programme covers a few days, with fun runs, parties and award ceremonies.
Late May/Early June
Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi celebrations take place in many cities, towns and villages all around the island. Nevertheless, these festivals acquire their greatest splendour in Arrecife. The preparations for this religious event start on early Saturday afternoon, when locals begin the construction of true masterpieces – vast carpets of sea salt, coming from the Salinas de Janubio, embellish streets and squares with lively colours and pretty designs.
June
San Juan (Saint John)
Saint John’s celebrations mark the beginning of summer on the night from the 23rd to the 24th of June. During this night, huge bonfires are traditionally lit a bit all over the island and corncobs are roasted, the festivities being accompanied by folkloric music and dance.
July
San Marcial del Rubicón
San Marcial del Rubicón is the patron saint of the island. During the first week of July it will be possible to see festivals in honour of this saint in several towns and villages, but his image is worshipped in the church that holds his name, located in the village of Femés in the south of Lanzarote.
July
Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The second fortnight of July is filled with the celebrations of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen in almost all villages and towns. Of special note are those happening in Villa Teguise, Lanzarote’s former capital, along the coast of Puerto del Carmen, in Playa Blanca and in the fishermen’s village Caleta del Sebo, which is the main village on the islet of La Graciosa.
The processions with an image of the Virgin carried in a boat along the coast, accompanied by many decorated fishing boats, are very fascinating to watch – these boats set out to sea to pray for a good catch in the year to come.
The fiestas of the Virgen del Carmen also feature many traditional activities, such as lucha canaria, typical folklore performances, street parties and artisan fairs. You will be amazed at the amount of people coming to Teguise for this event, only to bring their offers to the Virgin.
August
San Ginés
San Ginés celebrations, in honour of the patron saint of Arrecife, go on for about a week starting with the San Ginés day on the 25th of August. These festivities include parades, processions and dancing in the streets of Arrecife and are a highly rated tourist attraction.
September
Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios
This fiesta is held during the first week of September, with a colourful traditional pilgrimage leading to the Los Remedios church in Yaiza.
September
Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores
The legend has it that Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, also known as Virgin of the Volcanoes, was responsible for the salvation of the village of Mancha Blanca. In 1824, the Tinguatón volcano erupted and, as the lava flows were threatening to destroy the village, local inhabitants prayed to the Virgin for protection and – like a miracle – the lava stopped nearby the church where a cross on a small lava block still marks this spot. Since then, every year, the Virgin of the Volcanoes is honoured with big celebrations, including a large pilgrimage to the Ermita (church) de los Dolores, a folklore festival with representatives from all the Canary Islands, an artisan fair, lucha canaria competitions and other traditional island spectator sports.
October
Visual Music Festival
The Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote is a cultural event of international importance. Organised since 1989 by the Government of Lanzarote together with the tourism department, this festival combines contemporary music with the island’s amazing natural assets.
The music festival takes place in auditoriums, which are located in volcanic caves of the sightseeing attractions of Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes in the northern part of the island, which were turned into extraordinary entertainment venues with outstanding acoustics, making these events a unique experience for both audience and performers.
Since the beginning of this festival, new venues have been discovered for exceptional concert performances, such as Volcan del Cuervo (the old volcanic ash quarry at Montaña del Tahiche) and the Santo Domingo Convent at Teguise.
December
Santos Inocentes
The 28th of December is the day of the Santos Inocentes (literally ‘Innocent Saints’). This is the Spanish equivalent of April Fools’ Day, when tricks are played.
New Year’s Celebrations
New Year in Lanzarote is fun, easy-going and tradition-related. On New Year’s Eve, an occasion even more celebrated than Christmas, Lanzaroteños count every stroke of midnight while drinking cava, the local version for champagne, and eating 12 grapes (one for each stroke). As you can imagine, fast eating and drinking at the same time often becomes a truly hilarious experience.
January
Día de los Reyes (6th January)
The Epiphany is celebrated in Lanzarote like almost everywhere in the Christian world, with this day marking the end of the Christmas celebrations. In several towns bonfires are lit in memory of those who, according to the legend, set Bethlehem on fire to hide the North Star from the King Herod.
Traditionally, in Spain, it is on Three Kings’ Day that the Christmas gifts are given to the beloved ones, as this was the day when the Three Kings gave their offers to Baby Jesus.
On this occasion, shops all around the island sell the Kings’ Cake (Roscón de Reyes), a cake, which is prepared – additionally to the usual baking ingredients – with lemon and orange juice, brandy and orange flower water, covered with crystallized fruits and sliced almonds. Inside the cake there is always a coin, a small gift and a broad bean (tradition says that the person who gets the bean pays for the next cake).
The Christmas celebrations end with the Cabalgata de Reyes (Procession of the Three Kings) in Arrecife where the Three Kings parade through town on camels throwing sweets to the children.
February/March
Carnaval
Carnival is the most attended celebration on the island, with thousands of people following the parades of floats. Some say that the origins of these festivities are religious, whilst others claim that they date back to pagan times. Carnival was even prohibited by the Franco regime because of its licentiousness and frivolity. It ends on, or in some places even after, Ash Wednesday with the ‘Burial of the Sardine’. The ‘Burial of the Sardine’ is a peculiar ceremony, concerning the rescue of a giant mock-up sardine from the beach and all the attempts ‘to save its life’ – in the end the sardine always dies to be cremated in a huge bonfire, marking the end of the Carnival celebrations.
Allied to a naturally attractive event are some traditions, such as the performances of the murgas, the comparsas, the Parranda de Los Buches (in Arrecife) and the Parranda de Los Diabletes (in Teguise). The murgas are groups that compose their own saucy lyrics to well-known songs and the comparsas are groups who dance to samba rhythms – both typical in the island’s Carnival celebrations. The Los Buches have seafaring origins – wearing traditional costumes and masks, they dance and sing, while hitting spectators with dried fish bladders filled with air. Los Diabletes, disguised with devilish masks, ‘terrorise’ children in the streets of Teguise.
March
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
During the Semana Santa – the week before Easter – you will be able to see solemn pre-Easter processions, where sacred icons and religious statues are carried through the streets of many villages and towns throughout the island.
May 15th
Romería de San Isidro
Uga, located in southern Lanzarote, is the stage for the Romería de San Isidro that takes place on the 15th of May. This festivity is featuring a colourfully decorated procession, with even dromedaries participating (as Uga is also the camel raising area of the island) and many folklore performances.
May
Ironman Triathlon Competition
Among the professional competitions held each year in Lanzarote, the IRONMAN stands out, one of the most important triathlon events in the world. Around eight hundred athletes compete for the title as they attempt to complete a 3.8 km (2.4 miles) swim, 180 km (112.5 miles) bicycle ride and a 42 km (26.25 miles) run, all in one day.
The race organization and headquarters are located at Club La Santa on the north coast of the island. This exciting sports playground has superb sports and accommodation amenities, providing coaching and training facilities for 64 Olympic disciplines – a paradise for all sports enthusiasts.
Although the main event takes place on one day only, the event programme covers a few days, with fun runs, parties and award ceremonies.
Late May/Early June
Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi celebrations take place in many cities, towns and villages all around the island. Nevertheless, these festivals acquire their greatest splendour in Arrecife. The preparations for this religious event start on early Saturday afternoon, when locals begin the construction of true masterpieces – vast carpets of sea salt, coming from the Salinas de Janubio, embellish streets and squares with lively colours and pretty designs.
June
San Juan (Saint John)
Saint John’s celebrations mark the beginning of summer on the night from the 23rd to the 24th of June. During this night, huge bonfires are traditionally lit a bit all over the island and corncobs are roasted, the festivities being accompanied by folkloric music and dance.
July
San Marcial del Rubicón
San Marcial del Rubicón is the patron saint of the island. During the first week of July it will be possible to see festivals in honour of this saint in several towns and villages, but his image is worshipped in the church that holds his name, located in the village of Femés in the south of Lanzarote.
July
Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The second fortnight of July is filled with the celebrations of the Nuestra Señora del Carmen in almost all villages and towns. Of special note are those happening in Villa Teguise, Lanzarote’s former capital, along the coast of Puerto del Carmen, in Playa Blanca and in the fishermen’s village Caleta del Sebo, which is the main village on the islet of La Graciosa.
The processions with an image of the Virgin carried in a boat along the coast, accompanied by many decorated fishing boats, are very fascinating to watch – these boats set out to sea to pray for a good catch in the year to come.
The fiestas of the Virgen del Carmen also feature many traditional activities, such as lucha canaria, typical folklore performances, street parties and artisan fairs. You will be amazed at the amount of people coming to Teguise for this event, only to bring their offers to the Virgin.
August
San Ginés
San Ginés celebrations, in honour of the patron saint of Arrecife, go on for about a week starting with the San Ginés day on the 25th of August. These festivities include parades, processions and dancing in the streets of Arrecife and are a highly rated tourist attraction.
September
Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios
This fiesta is held during the first week of September, with a colourful traditional pilgrimage leading to the Los Remedios church in Yaiza.
September
Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores
The legend has it that Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, also known as Virgin of the Volcanoes, was responsible for the salvation of the village of Mancha Blanca. In 1824, the Tinguatón volcano erupted and, as the lava flows were threatening to destroy the village, local inhabitants prayed to the Virgin for protection and – like a miracle – the lava stopped nearby the church where a cross on a small lava block still marks this spot. Since then, every year, the Virgin of the Volcanoes is honoured with big celebrations, including a large pilgrimage to the Ermita (church) de los Dolores, a folklore festival with representatives from all the Canary Islands, an artisan fair, lucha canaria competitions and other traditional island spectator sports.
October
Visual Music Festival
The Visual Music Festival of Lanzarote is a cultural event of international importance. Organised since 1989 by the Government of Lanzarote together with the tourism department, this festival combines contemporary music with the island’s amazing natural assets.
The music festival takes place in auditoriums, which are located in volcanic caves of the sightseeing attractions of Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes in the northern part of the island, which were turned into extraordinary entertainment venues with outstanding acoustics, making these events a unique experience for both audience and performers.
Since the beginning of this festival, new venues have been discovered for exceptional concert performances, such as Volcan del Cuervo (the old volcanic ash quarry at Montaña del Tahiche) and the Santo Domingo Convent at Teguise.
December
Santos Inocentes
The 28th of December is the day of the Santos Inocentes (literally ‘Innocent Saints’). This is the Spanish equivalent of April Fools’ Day, when tricks are played.
New Year’s Celebrations
New Year in Lanzarote is fun, easy-going and tradition-related. On New Year’s Eve, an occasion even more celebrated than Christmas, Lanzaroteños count every stroke of midnight while drinking cava, the local version for champagne, and eating 12 grapes (one for each stroke). As you can imagine, fast eating and drinking at the same time often becomes a truly hilarious experience.