What major festivals happen in the Canary Islands?

The Canary Islands host numerous festivals year-round including Carnival (February–March) — the second largest in the world after Rio — music festivals, food festivals, and cultural celebrations. Each island has its own unique festival calendar.

When is the best time to visit for festivals?

Carnival season (February–March) is the biggest festival period. Summer months (June–August) have numerous music festivals and outdoor events. Each island also celebrates its patron saint festival with unique traditions.

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IslandSpots is a listing and lead-generation platform. We connect you with trusted local operators. All bookings, payments, and service delivery are handled directly between you and the operator.

Festivals in Valverde

Valverde, Tenerife

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About this experience

Festivals in Valverde is the annual programme of religious and cultural celebrations held in the capital of El Hierro, the smallest of the Canary Islands. The town’s calendar centres on the Fiestas de la Virgen de la Concepción in December and the Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes, which occurs every four years. These events combine processions, folk music, and traditional Canarian games in the island’s main square and surrounding streets.

What to expect

The December festival includes a candlelit procession of the Virgen de la Concepción through the cobbled streets of Valverde, followed by a firework display over the town hall.
During the Bajada de los Reyes (next held in 2025), visitors see the image of the Virgin carried on a wooden platform by local men in traditional white and red dress, a ritual lasting over six hours.
Each festival features live performances of the pito herreño, a three-hole wooden flute, accompanied by tambor drums, in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Traditional sports such as salto del pastor (shepherd’s leap) and lucha canaria (Canarian wrestling) are demonstrated in the municipal sports ground on the second day of each main fiesta.
A food market stalls line Calle Carrera during the festivities, selling local cheese, gofio, and sweet wine from the island’s vineyards, with tastings available from 11:00 to 20:00.
The events suit families and cultural travellers, as children’s workshops on making traditional paper flowers for the procession run each morning in the cultural centre.