WHAT’S ON: LANZAROTE 2020
Lanzarote has something to celebrate every month of the year, so our latest post is a compilation of some of the best-known festivities that take place each month. Definitely worth noting down in your diary!
JANUARY
The year gets off to a great start in the town of Haría, located in the north of the island. The Haría Market is held every Saturday in January from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll find a host of stalls packed with local produce, crafts and jewellery, as well as some of Lanzarote’s finest wines and cheeses.
Photo by coolturalanzarote.com
FEBRUARY / MARCH:
The Canary Islands’ carnival celebrations rank among the best in Spain, and Arrecife is no exception to the rule. You’ll spend an unforgettable evening admiring more than 15 floats, all decorated according to different themes, as well as the fabulous costumes in an amazing parade complete with batucada music bands and dance troupes, street performances, the Drag Queen gala and the legendary murga satirical songs.
Photo by puertodelcarmen.com
APRIL
This month is famous for the Holy Week processions, when religious images carried on elaborately decorated floats are taken around the streets of towns such as San Bartolomé, Tías and Teguise .
MAY
Ironman is a world class event. Around 800 athletes take part in Ironman Lanzarote, competing to obtain the maximum number of points in the three trials (swimming, cycling and running). The event takes place at La Santa Club, in the north of the island. The last day of the month is also Canary Islands’ Day, a chance for families to get together for lunch and enjoy traditional Canary Island cuisine, followed by folk songs and dances.
Photo by triatlonnoticias.com
JUNE
The festivities to commemorate Midsummer’s Eve (Día de San Juan) on 23rd June mark the start of summer. Bonfires are lit all over the island, a custom of Christian origin that is still celebrated today.
JULY
July is marked by a range of celebrations in towns all over the island, although the highlights are undoubtedly the festivals that take place in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and La Graciosa. They include a packed programme of traditional activities such as Canary Island wrestling, performances by folk dance troupes, open-air dances and craft fairs.
AUGUST
This month sees the festival of San Ginés, held in honour of the island capital’s patron saint. Over the week ending the 25th August, the events organised in the city of Arrecife include parades, an entertainment programme that varies each year and open-air dances.
SEPTEMBER
Legend has it that Our Lady of Sorrows saved the town of Mancha Blanca from the flow of lava following the eruption of a nearby volcano. For that reason each year the local residents take part in a procession to the church to give thanks to the Virgin. Other events include craft fairs, shows and open-air dances.
Photo by lancelotdigital.com
OCTOBER
The Visual Music Festival has been held on Lanzarote each year since 1989, combining contemporary music with the island’s rich cultural heritage. It takes place in two venues located in the Jameos del Agua and La Cueva de los Verdes volcanic caves in the north of the island, two of Lanzarote’s major tourist attractions that are well worth a visit at any time of year.
Photo by conciertoslanzarote.com
NOVEMBER
This month sees the Atlantic Odissey, a transatlantic regatta where participants sail from Lanzarote to Martinique in the Caribbean.
DECEMBER
Just like everywhere else in the world, the Canary Islands has its own Christmas traditions that can be enjoyed throughout the island, such as the Ranchos de Pascua singing groups, the Christmas folk dances and living nativity scenes.
As you can see, there’s no excuse for feeling bored on Lanzarote, as there’s something amazing to see and do each month. Fancy experiencing it for yourself? We’d love to see you here!
If you liked it, also it can interest you: DISCOVER LANZAROTE’S WINE ROUTES
