Fuerteventura boasts an events calendar filled with colour, tradition and originality. Just like in the rest of the archipelago, Carnival is one of the most highly anticipated celebrations for locals. However, there are many other festivals honouring the patron saints of cities and towns, as well as events in memory the region’s turbulent past and celebrating the victory of natives over foreign invaders, with accurate re-enactments of legendary battles.
Known throughout Spain for its renowned metalsmith heritage, Fuerteventura has its own artisan fair. Kids also have a special weekend every year, when clowns take over the streets of Gran Tarajal.
Fuerteventura has cultural, professional, children’s, entertainment and religious events for everyone. Take note of its most popular festivals.
Carnival in Fuerteventura
Between February and March, right before Lent, Fuerteventura gives in to colour, glitter, costumes, bands of street musicians, troupes and endless fun for as long as people’s bodies hold out.
Although every corner of the island fervently celebrates Carnival and everyone is welcome to join in the revelry, the municipalities with the most Carnival activities are Antigua, Tuineje, Betancuria, Pájara and Puerto del Rosario (the island’s capital). In the latter, the festival lasts 10 days, with Ash Wednesday and the Burial of the Sardine as the beginning and end.
Electing the Carnival Queen is one of the main events of the Fuerteventura Carnival. Contenders wear spectacular fantasy outfits as they are paraded in floats to dazzle the judges and audiences. Most locals participate in their town’s Great Carnival Coso parade featuring creative floats paired with bands and troupes that play music and spread joy. The satire inspired by political and current events is showcased in the competition of street musician bands for kids and adults.
Festivals, fairs and religious pilgrimages in Fuerteventura
The people of Fuerteventura know how to have fun, and there is always a good excuse to go out into the streets, or the fields in the case of religious pilgrimages. Join the party and enjoy because you will most likely come across a celebration during your stay.
La Candelaria in La Oliva
On the 2nd of February, the village of La Oliva spares no expense to celebrate the festival in honour of Our Lady of La Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Although the best-known image of Our Lady of La Candelaria is from the nineteenth century and located in the Tenerife town of the same name, residents of Fuerteventura’s La Oliva are proud to have a statue of this Black Madonna that dates back to the late fifteenth century. In fact, it is one of the oldest Christian icons in the Canary Islands.
La Oliva celebrates its patron saint in style with numerous events featuring bands of street musicians, music festivals, open-air dances and religious acts that include a procession through the town carrying the beautifully adorned Virgin.
Antigua Artisan Fair
The village of Antigua is famous for its handicrafts, among other things. In fact, it has a handicrafts centre housed in a traditional mill that is definitely worth a visit. During the first half of May, the municipality hosts the Insular Artisan Fair, which is held in an 8,500-metre venue and welcomes more than 20,000 visitors. It showcases woodworking, costume jewellery and leather goods with an original, indigenous touch that are available for purchase.
Virgen de Regla festival in Pájara
The festivities to honour Our Lady of Regla take place in Pájara on the 2nd of June. Starting the previous week, residents fervently devote themselves to the festival, which has countless activities for all ages. The main event is the religious pilgrimage that begins at the interesting seventeenth-century hermitage where the image is located. It continues through the municipality, and residents wear traditional garb as they are accompanied by carriages.
Day of Saint Bonaventure, a festivity in Betancuria
The festival of Saint Bonaventure, patron saint of Betancuria, takes place on the 14th of July. As the oldest festivity on the island, it became official by Diego de Herrera in 1456, when resistance by local aborigines was declared to be under control of Castilian colonists. The procession in honour of the patron saint is particularly interesting because it features rondalla serenade groups who add an attractive musical note to the event.
Virgen del Carmen festival in Morro Jable
Located on the southern end of Fuerteventura, Jandía Bay hosts the traditional boat procession that accompanies Morro Jable’s Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of the sea. After the procession, pilgrims and visitors eat by the shore at one of the many fish grills along the sand or at one of the nearby inns or beach bars.
Virgen de la Peña religious pilgrimage
The third Saturday of September marks the festivities honouring the Virgen de la Peña, the patron saint of Fuerteventura. The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Vega de Río Palmas, in the Peña ravine (to which it owes its name). According to legend, this is where the image miraculously appeared before San Diego.
The Madonna with Child is a gorgeous French Gothic alabaster sculpture that is believed to have reached the island with the first French expedition to the island in 1402. On the big day, visitors and pilgrims from all over the island visit the sanctuary of Virgen de la Peña to pay tribute.
Tran Tran International Clown Festival in Gran Tarajal
The Gran Tarajal Tran Tran International Clown Festival, featuring more than 100 circus artists from all over the world, takes place in September. A treat for children and adults alike!
Over the course of a weekend, 60 performances will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Firmly established within the island’s events calendar for cultural activities, Tran Tran welcomes more than 20,000 visitors every year.
Virgen del Rosario festival in La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario
The first Sunday of October, the La Oliva and Puerto del Rosario municipalities celebrate the festivity for Our Lady of the Rosary. Puerto del Rosario is adorned with all types of decorations and there is an extensive activities programme to celebrate the day of its patron saint.
Battle of Tamasite festival on 13 October
Recently declared of National Tourist Interest, the re-enactment of the Battle of Tamasite by Tuineje residents takes place on Gran Tarajal Beach every 13 October. On this date in 1740, a ship carrying English pirates invaded the coast of Gran Tarajal. Locals bravely went into battle and were able to fend off their attackers using sticks and stones. This historic feat is remembered with a faithful and elaborate re-enactment that will amaze those who come to witness it.
