Lanzarote Information

At any given month on the island there is usually a reason to be celebrating; here are some of them that are well worth a visit:

Carnaval
Held from mid February until early March Arrecife starts the carnaval that then heads around the other municipalities of the island. Everyone is dressed in flamboyant and and elaborate costumes, some have a group theme and others are individual. Rehearsals start months before to get the dancers and band to perfection, each parade is judged with the first 3 places awarded rosettes for the later carnavals. There is a fantastic beat and the thousands of spectators can't help but move to the music and try the carnival shuffle.

Corpus Christi
Held around the island on the last Saturday and Sunday in May. Locals from the schools and churches in the area gather with designs and take huge quantities of sea salt mixed with vibrant colours to produce amazing carpets on the streets. The Corpus Christi procession later starts from the church and tramples the carpet.

San Juan
Celebrations start in Haría between the eve of 23rd June and 24th June to mark the beginning of summer. The week prior huge bonfires can be seen being built around the island similar to Guy Fawkes night in UK. Once the fires have been lit onlookers are dared to jump over the ashes. There are also local traditions such as leaving a bowl outside overnight with rosemary and flower petals in and in the morning when the due has fallen you are meant to wash your face with it.

San Marcial
The islands patron saint is honoured in the first week of July in Femés. His image is worshipped in the hermitage in the village.

Nuestra Señora del Carmen
The Virgin del Carmen is celebrated in many of the fishing communities around the island. Colourful processions wander around the streets with the image of the Virgen Carmen before setting sail in their decorated boats. They are held in the last two weeks of July with the last one being Puerto del Carmen at the beginning of August.

San Ginés
A large event celebrated in Mid August and renowned not just on the island, it attracts many cultural and leisure events held along the Capital's coastline.

Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios
Celebrations are held in the first week of September to honour the patron Saint of Yaiza. The pilgrimage leads to the restored church of Los Remedios.

Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores
One of the islands most popular festivals takes place in the first week of September at Mancha Blanca, Tinajo. Hundreds of people dress in traditional costume and begin a pilgrimage to the shrine of Los Dolores who is also known as the Virgen de los Volcanes. You will see locals from all areas of the island walking along the roads and tracks heading to Tinajo for this huge folk festival which attracts people from all over the Canary Islands. The legend states that the impending lava flow which would engulf the village was stopped when the villagers prayed for the destruction to stop and paraded a image of the virgin through the streets.