As April advances, the excitement builds for Tenerife’s renowned pilgrimages and the captivating dances of ‘los magos’, events that are eagerly anticipated by the Canary Islands’ residents. These occasions provide perfect opportunities to gather with family and friends and immerse oneself in the rich local traditions.
The pilgrimages, deeply rooted in religious tradition, are now the highlight of the cultural calendar in each village across Tenerife. Participants proudly don traditional attire, partaking in the vibrant festivities that include local music and culinary delights. Complementing these, the dances of ‘los magos’ typically take place just before the pilgrimages. These evenings are filled with lively dancing to the music of folk bands and orchestras, set against a backdrop of a communal feast featuring the island’s finest foods and wines.
Each year, these celebrations draw increasing numbers of attendees, eager to partake in Tenerife’s best pilgrimages and experience the enchanting dances.
PILGRIMAGE OF SAN MARCOS IN TEGUESTE
The Pilgrimage of San Marcos in Tegueste, held in honor of Saint Mark the Evangelist, is a highlight among Tenerife’s cultural events, particularly notable among both locals and visitors who flock to the island at the end of April. This festival occurs on the Sunday nearest to Saint Mark’s feast day, turning it into a vibrant celebration.
Thousands congregate, bringing the town of Tegueste to life as they don traditional magos’ and magas’ attire, emblematic of the Canary archipelago. The festivities are marked by parades featuring parrandas and ox-drawn carts, from which participants joyfully distribute local delicacies like gofio pellets, wrinkled potatoes, and boiled eggs.
The event is characterized by its distinctive atmosphere starting with a Solemn Eucharist, followed by the procession of San Marcos. Highlight features include performances by folkloric groups and the presence of four traditional boats named Tegueste, San Luis, Pedro Álvarez, and El Socorro, adding a unique maritime flair to the terrestrial festivities.
The day after the pilgrimage, the ‘Día del Carretero’ showcases the beautifully crafted carts used in the previous day’s events, reflecting the creativity and passion of their owners. Due to health precautions from the pandemic in 2022, the traditional pilgrimage was substituted with a static display of these carts.
DANCE OF “LOS MAGOS” OF SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE
The Dance of the Magos in Santa Cruz is a central feature of the May Festivities in the capital. It has seen participation from over 10,000 individuals dressed in traditional Canary Island costumes. This event has a rich history, dating back over 80 years to around 1935 when it was first organized by the rondalla Masa Coral Tinerfeña, founded in 1930, in the Teatro Guimerá.
Before the dance, a Floral Offering to the Virgin of La Candelaria honors the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands. The event itself is set up with over 500 tables stretching across streets like La Noria and Candelaria, where attendees enjoy local dishes and wine, dancing to Taifas and orchestras in Plaza Europa.
DANCE OF “LOS MAGOS” OF LOS REALEJOS
During the May Festivities in Los Realejos, the Plaza Viera y Clavijo and Avenida de Los Remedios become the epicenter for the Dance of the Magos. The festivities begin with a dinner for those who have reserved a table and are dressed in traditional island attire, essential for fostering the authentic festive atmosphere of Tenerife’s pilgrimages and dances.
The celebration features lively performances by folklore groups and orchestras, attracting thousands to relish in the island’s culinary and cultural traditions.
DANCE OF “LOS MAGOS” OF LA OROTAVA
La Orotava hosts its Dance of the Magos amidst the town’s patron saint festivities and the famous Corpus Christi celebrations, which include the Alfombras de La Orotava, the Dance of the Magos, and the Romería de San Isidro Labrador and Santa María de la Cabeza. The dance typically takes place on Friday night, transforming the main squares and streets into bustling hubs of activity.
Participants must wear traditional costumes, blending seamlessly with the sounds of local orchestras and the taste of Canarian cuisine.
ROMERÍA DE SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR IN LA OROTAVA
La Orotava’s Romería, celebrated annually between May and June, travels from Cruz del Teide to Plaza de La Paz in El Calvario. With around 90 carts and numerous folklore groups, the town becomes a spectacle of joy and color. This event honors the patron saints, San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza, and has been declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest since 1980.
The festivities commence early with a Solemn Canarian Mass, followed by a procession that distributes traditional foods such as pellas de gofio and papas arrugadas, enhancing the communal spirit.
PILGRIMAGE OF SAN BENITO IN SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LA LAGUNA
The San Benito Abad Pilgrimage, taking place on the second Sunday in July, celebrates the patron saint of peasants and farmers. Originating from the traditional “beñesmen guanche” thanking ceremonies for summer harvests, this event draws people from across the islands, adorned in typical attire, to enjoy a day of folk songs, dances, and traditional dishes.
In the days leading up to the pilgrimage, various festivities including the election of the Romera Mayor and the Festival de Copla highlight the event’s deep-rooted folkloric nature.
PILGRIMAGE OF GARACHICO OR PILGRIMAGE OF SAN ROQUE
Celebrated on August 16th, the Romería de Garachico honors San Roque, recognized for a miracle during an epidemic in the early 1600s. The event features a procession from his hermitage to the parish church of Santa Ana and back, accompanied by traditional celebrations and the symbolic entrance of the saint facing the people, amidst cheers and traditional cries.
THE DESCENT OF THE VIRGIN DEL SOCORRO IN GÜÍMAR
Known as ‘La Bajada del Socorro’, this is the oldest pilgrimage in the archipelago, celebrated on September 7th. It begins with a midnight mass and proceeds from the church of San Pedro Apóstol to the hermitage of El Socorro, marked by music, traditional foods, and vibrant communal participation.
These events are just a glimpse of Tenerife’s rich tapestry of festivals, each steeped in tradition and eagerly celebrated by locals and visitors alike.
