Canary Islands festivals to visit now and where to detox after

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands so it should come as no surprise that it dominates the Canarian festival scene. Whether you decide to visit Tenerife in the winter or the summer, there is always a Tenerife party happening somewhere. So, grab your dancing shoes, it’s time to hit the dance floor. 

The international street art festival, MUECA revolutionises the usually quiet streets of Puerto de la Cruz, turning them into a hotspot for creative talent. Expect to see everything from street performances, dance shows, live music, theatre and street art tours of the city.

There is also a book fair that is worth exploring when you want a moment of peace and quiet. This is an open-air festival yet some shows may require the purchase of a ticket. Since this is one of the legendary Puerto de la Cruz events of the year, it is wise to book ahead.

From the organisers who brought us iconic Tenerife music events such as Sunblast, El Row and Planet Love to the island, Ritmos del Mundo is one of the hottest tickets around. It celebrates urban dance music, showcasing major artists such as Steve Aoki, Nathy Peluso and Morad while attracting crowds in the thousands. Tickets sell out fast so be quick off the mark if you want to attend. 

The streets of Puerto de la Cruz are once again the protagonist of one of the most anticipated of the Canary Islands festivals. Phe is where music, film and gastronomy go hand in hand with a sustainable, plastic-free, zero waste philosophy. This winning combination makes it the ideal plan to enjoy as a family. Pick the highlights that interest you the most and enjoy a weekend in the north of Tenerife. 

Each September, Santa Cruz, the island’s capital city, becomes the home of the International Festival of Film Music. Expect to hear hits from your favourite movies from the likes of the Matrix and Blade Runner through to modern classics like Transformers: The Movie. An orchestra will perform these songs within the spectacular auditorium, an iconic building home to the many music events Tenerife hosts each year.  

In Tenerife, the mornings taste like the salty, Atlantic Ocean breeze mixed with the alluring scent of freshly brewed coffee. It is hard not to fall under the spell of this island. Its hypnotic views bewitch at every turning and the mañana, mañana vibes offer a refreshing change from Northern Europe’s rat-race lifestyle. Once all partied out, it is time to explore the island’s picturesque towns and where better to do that than one of the island’s luxury spa hotels. If you plan to escape to the north of the island, Santa Cruz is an ideal location for day trips to all the towns on the northern coast. However, if your idea of detoxing is lying on the beach for hours, the south of the island is ideal. 

Want to discover how the Lanzarote locals throw a party? This spectacular island showcases must-visit festivals that beautifully combine concerts with the island’s gastronomic scene. Proof that there is more to this island than just the Lanzarote carnival.  

Music lovers rejoice! The lunar landscapes of Lanzarote are famous for their aloe vera crops and pitch-black soil. But, did you know that this island is also one of the top wine-making regions in the Canary Islands? Once a year, local winemakers and musicians gather together to celebrate the harvest in one of the most popular Canary Islands festivals: Sonidos Líquidos in La Geria. 

Alternative music, daytime concerts and local gastronomy bundled together inside a winery make this festival one that you cannot miss. 

If you are looking for one of the boutique Canary Islands Festivals with a reduced capacity set inside a volcanic lava cave, then look no further than Jameos Music Festival. This exclusive event takes place across four months, one concert per month. Electronic and dance music ignites Jameos del Agua, Lanzarote’s hottest concert venue and it attracts an international crowd of cool-hunters eager to live a unique experience. 

Since 1989, the Festival de Música Visual Lanzarote has been setting Lanzarote alight with its creative presentation of Avant Garde music. This Canary Island music festival aims to propel Lanzarote’s rich cultural offering to the world stage. It has definitely achieved that, and more, catching the attention of artists such as Brian Eno and Julián Elvira. The festival is hosted across the island of Lanzarote in breath-taking locations such as the concert halls Cuevas de Los Verdes Auditorium, Jameos del Agua and Volcán del Cuervo - the old volcanic ash quarry. 

Lanzarote is a Canarian volcanic oasis within the wild Atlantic Ocean. It's as if time stands still on this island and this peaceful energy is what allows travellers to enjoy the getaway they have dreamed of. Dance until nightfall in the shadow of volcanoes and, when the stars begin to twinkle in the sky, head to the relaxing coastline of Costa Teguise to unwind in one of the many beachfront hotels. 

In Gran Canaria, each sunrise offers a fresh opportunity to explore the buzzing arts scene here. Tenerife may be the largest island but Gran Canaria certainly packs a punch with its internationally focussed cultural offering such as the Gran Canaria Carnival. 

The Canary Islands Music Festival takes place simultaneously in Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The classical music festival has been celebrated on all the islands since 1985 and hosts concerts for top-level international artists; both orchestras and soloists. 

The festival will take place during January and February and it is one of the top Gran Canaria festivals to add to your calendar. 

One of the biggest gay events in the world takes place during the island’s internationally renowned pride celebrations. If you are a fan of Maspalomas Pride 2022 then you will love the Circuit Festival. This weekend promises to offer the very best of LGBT cinema, competitions, networking, water sports and of course, off-the-hook parties - all of this while nestled in the paradisiacal surroundings of mile-long golden beaches and butterscotch-coloured dunes. 

Every June, Gran Canaria opens its doors to one of the most important Canary Islands festivals for jazz lovers. Festival Canarias Jazz & Más attracts major names in the jazz world such as the legendary Gregory Porter. 

His iconic performance lit up the island with his elegant voice and melodic beats. Yet, this festival is also celebrated across all the islands so if events in Las Palmas are out of reach, try and catch it on one of the neighbouring islands. 

Urban artists from Latin America and beyond raise the temperatures in Maspalomas every August with sizzling performances at Viva Reggaeton. This is one of the biggest celebrations of this musical genre in Europe and one of the top Canary Islands festivals of the moment. Dance the night away to the catchy beats of Justin Quiles, DJ Estro and many more famous urban music artists.  

When energy levels drop, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to stay in Gran Canaria. If visiting the Canary Islands Music Festival, you will want to head to one of Las Palmas’ chic Michelin star city hotels for some R&R between shows. Yet, if you are one of the hardcore partygoers joining the crowds in the south of the island, this luxury bolthole will provide the best place to detox (or retox) after all the parties.

Imagine white sand beaches for as far as the eye can see, bohemian-style parties and exquisite dishes elaborated with love by the island’s top chefs. Welcome to Fuerteventura, home to some of the best Canary Islands festivals.

Take in the magic of the moment as the hypnotising sound of blues music fills the Plaza de Patricio Calero, the main square of Corralejo. The International Blues Festival has been going on for the last 15 years and has garnered international attention thanks to the top-class artists that travel from across the whole of Spain to delight audiences with the latest sounds within the Blues genre. If you are visiting Fuerteventura during October, this is certainly a festival to keep an eye on.

If you are looking for a festival to attend as a family, then Arena Negra is a top choice. In the past, it has brought international names such as Orishas and Estopa to the island. But, if this isn’t tempting enough, then the creative line-up of family-fun workshops, mini arts and crafts markets and various dance performances make this festival a great alternative to sunbathing on the beach.

If you’re looking for a hotel in paradise for your island getaway, the adults-only Barceló Corralejo Bay is the perfect choice for you. Located in an unparalleled location 80 metres from the beach and 3 kilometres from the Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park, you can enjoy top Canary Islands festivals including the Corralejo Kite Festival amidst unbeatable surroundings.