What to Expect
One of the hottest months of the year with temperatures staying around the 30C mark and while it is hot, it is not like many areas of Europe, unbearable and it is rare to see any rain. August is a popular month not only with the Brits and Germans but also Spanish holidaymakers.
August Highlights
Open air concerts and fiestas galore if you care to seek them out.
The Festivals of La Caleta are celebrated during the first week in August. The programme is:
1st 20:00 Parade through the streets to finish 22:00 dancing to Time Lucky.
2nd 11:00 in Varadero traditional games and Foam Party, 20:00 Children’s Festival with Clown Rasty and Dora the Explorer.
3rd 20:00 Folklore Festival with Mari Carmen Gonzales & Arguayo Mambo Latino Band.
4th 11:00 Swimming across the Cove, 21:00 Eucharist then procession accompanying Our Lady of Carmen ending in fireworks display 23:00 Dancing to Tejina Gomera.
5th 12:00 Descent of the Virgin Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the harbour, 13:00 Traditional Maritime procession to the accompaniment of the vessels on their way to El Puertito and La Caleta. Then a large paella will be served, accompanied by music. 21:00 Dancing with the Orchestra Wamampy.
6th 10:00 Traditional Canarios Games
3rd and 4th Ichasagua 2012 – Tribute to Keeping Traditions Alive - Plaza de El Medano
5th The Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Hope takes place in the municipality of El Rosario. The pilgrimage marks the end of the festivities when the venerated image is carried to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento under an arch of flowers. Folk groups, carts and the faithful will be presenting offerings to the Virgin.
Realexo: An Appointment with the Past - First week of August - Los Realejos. Over two days actors in traditional costumes guide visitors around the town taking them back in time. The town becomes a stage where townspeople re-enacting life and historical events.
11th Romería de San Roque An event held in Garachico since the 17th century. Thousands of visitors gather to participate in one of the most traditional festivals of the island, linked to the plague that devastated the town between 1601 and 1606. Craft fairs, traditions, music and local people dressed in island costumes, drink, eat, sing and dance. Dancing men shake rods of coloured ribbons follow oxen-drawn carts while accompanying the saint through the streets that culminates with the procession to the sea.
14 – 15th Fiestas de la Virgen de Candelaria Yet another Tenerife festival declared to be of “National Tourist Interest”, the Fiestas de la Virgen de Candelaria is extremely popular on the island. Not only is the Virgin of Candelaria the patron saint of the Canary Islands, but she also lends her name to the city of Candelaria, not surprisingly, this is the best place to enjoy the festival. Pilgrims from all over the island make their way to the town to attend. There are masses, processions, floral offerings, folklore groups and even a play representing the apparition of the virgin to the Guanches.
16th - 19th XIX People Folk Show – Plaza El Medano
25th Romería de San Agustín The highlights of this Arafo romería is the traditional music groups. It starts at 17.00 from the square of the Cross and tours the town. The parade involves large number of folk groups dressed in costumes.
26th Hearts of Tejina. One of Tenerife’s quirkiest fiestas, brings together three districts of La Laguna to compete in a friendly competition to create the biggest and most eye-catching hearts made from flowers, fruits and other decorative items. The hearts weighing as much as 800 kilos are paraded through the streets and taken to the church where they are offered to San Bartolomé. The event attracts visitors from all over the island who revel in song, dance and bonfires. The following morning, the fruit and flowers from the hearts are sold to the highest bidders.
Other Fiestas, Romerías and Pilgrimages taking place in August 2012 are
8th Dance Wizards of Garachico
11th Down to the Beaches Pilgrimage at The Guancha
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores - First week of August
San Cayetano at La Montañeta marks the distribution of “bread of the poor” that once was more than symbolic. - Second week of August
Nuestra Señora of the Afflicted in Los Realejos. Particularly moving is the procession through the streets. - Third week of August
22nd San Siegfried
Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje at Icod El Alto is the festival of the patron saint of migrants. - Last Sunday of August
Fiesta in honour of La Cruz, San Joaquin, and Santa Ana - Last week of August
26th Pilgrimage of San Roque in Vilaflor
26th Procession of the Miraculous Medal, The Ortigal Alto, La Laguna.
Continued Page 2 …. Events for the family around the Island
