A sunny weekend in May ahead and while the world waits and watches Britain’s young royals celebrate a new union an ocean away, joined in spirit at least by the expatriate community around the world, the little of island of Gran Canaria has an eclectic range of events in store for those who didn’t manage to make it to Windsor castle this time round. Weather predictions here are promising bright sunshine and a possibility of light cloud to the north, as Spring slowly turns to summer, and we have selected a few highlights for you to ponder…


18-24 May, Motor Grande (Puerto Rico), Mogán 
Fiestas Patronales María Auxiliadora 

The local patron saint celebrations in honour of Maria Auxiliadora, (Mary the helper of Christians) start this Friday in Motor Grande, Puerto Rico.  Offering the nearest this little native enclave on the south coast has to a traditional romeria (pilgrimage)

On Friday,  at 20:00 its children’s evening with local talented youth performing on stage.

On Saturday at 11:00am there is party for children with bouncy castles, traditional games and face painting.  Later in the Day, at 18:00, the main Romeria, pilgrimage offering  in honour of Maria Auxiliadora. processes through the streets with carts and local residents dressed in traditional canary islands clothing. The religious journey starts in front of the roundabout just next to the Puerto Rico shopping centre and at 23:00 an after party in the streets of Motor Grande with music and fireworks at midnight and a raffle.

THE ROMERIA WILL CAUSE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON THE MAIN AVENUE (Av Tomas Roca Bosch). 
On Sunday starting at 12:00 its a family Day; foam party and water bouncy castles. then from 14:00 the Grand paella accompanied by lots of live music.


18-20 May, Las Palmas 
VIII FIMAR

The International Sea Fair of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, FIMAR is at the Plaza de Canarias and surrounding areas from Friday to Sunday. This eighth edition of the fair that has firmly established itself as the primary professional, sports and leisure event for the nautical and marine-maritime sector of the Canary Islands.
See the full program (in Spanish) here .

The weekend includes, among other things;  free guided tours, which can be done either by the tourist bus of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, City Sightseeing, or on the Blue-Bird boat, visits to the ships and vessels in port, concerts, 130 exhibiting tents, show cooking. And on Sunday, between 10:30 and 14:00 the great nautical gathering will take place, filling the bay with boats.

Friday and Saturday from 10:00 – 20:00 and on Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

The Nao Santa María, a replica of the famous ship used by Christopher Columbus, will stop over this weekend in the capital, where it can be visited during FIMAR. The ship will open its decks to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in the hours in which the fair is open. Prices are 4€ /adult , 2€/children aged up to 10yrs and free for children under five, you are able to purchase tickets on the boat.


18-20 May, El Tablero, San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Fiestas Santísima Trinidad- El Tablero

The very lovely local patron saints celebration in honour of the Holy Trinity in El Tablero is coming to an end this weekend.

On Friday at 17:00 children’s animation at Plaza de el Tablero in front of the church, and at 21;00 some traditional Taifa dancing.

On Saturday 11:00-12:30 there is a foam party for children at Plaza de El Tablero. At 12:00 Bajada la Rama, the lowering the branch procession (a quirky prehispanic tradition still included in many of the main island celebrations). Departure of the street procession will be from the parking lot of I.E.S Tablero school and travel via the main streets to the Plaza. At 16:30 the 4th “Animal meeting”  event will be held in the Plaza, organised by the El Tablero veterinary clinic with exhibitions of native breeds. In the evening at 21:00 the main gala event with lots of music and performances and at midnight fireworks.

Sunday early in the morning awakes with the “diana floreada” marching band at 05:30, later eucharist is celebrated at 11:00 in the church followed by a religious procession. The at 14:00 the traditional huge paella will be just getting going. Music will continue on in El Tablero in to the evening and at 21:00 the last gala ever to finish up this year’ celebrations.


18-20 May, Vega de San Mateo
VII Feria de productos de la Tierra 

The 7th edition of the Canary Islands Institutional Fair of the Produce of the Earth, held in the picturesque old town of San Mateo from Friday to Sunday, where you can discover the very best of our local produce accompanied by concerts and musical performances.

Friday 12:00-20:30,
Saturday 09:00-20:30
and on Sunday 09:00-15:30 


19-21 May, Valleseco 
Fiestas de San Vicente Ferrer

This is main weekend of the colourful patron saint celebrations in Valleseco, a mountain community that was founded officially in 1842,  celebrating from 12 May – 10 June and with the main festive day on Monday 21 May. See the full program here

On Saturday at 18:00, the second edition of the “Holi Pal Color Festival”, a colorful way to start the big days of the festival, a cavalcade through the different streets of the town, with colours of all shades of the rainbow being playfully thrown at participants, events are to be animated by DJ Álvaro Rodríguez, and later, in the town square, music from DJ Abián Reyes and  Star Music.”

On the eve of the big day, on Sunday,  there is an exposition of Harley Davidsons by the Club H.O.G. Las Palmas Chapter Canary Islands, from 12:00 at the Plaza Municipal.  One of the great events on Sunday will be the distribution of more than 1500 hard boiled eggs for all attendees to eat rinsed down with 500 litres of this year’s cider, made locally, all in a festive atmosphere from 13:00.

In the afternoon, various children’s activities for the up to 10 year olds have been planned starting at 16:00, giving way at 21:00 to some Spanish humour from Iván el Bastonero and Pepe Marrero, ending with the Harmony Show and a fireworks display at midnight.

The big day, Monday, May 21,  early in the morning, there will be a cattle and craft fair at 10:00. A religious act, the Solemn Eucharist in honour of San Vicente Ferrer at 12:0 at the church, presided over by Alejandro Santana González, Parish Priest of Santa Brígida, then a procession through the streets, and a cattle parade.

During the morning the village square will be dedicated to roast pork, traditional gastronomy of pork delicacies, blood sausages, chorizos, meat, mojo or pig paella, all accompanied by music from mariachis. Distribution of these delicacies from 14:00, with a price per guest of €3.  And for the little ones; children’s animation from 16:00

Valleseco will put the finishing touch to their main day with the new music of Vocal Siete and the humor of Panchita and Servando, at 20.00.


Saturday 19 May, La Aldea 
II Feria del Tomate

La Aldea is celebrating their 2nd Tomato Fair on Saturday. The star of the day, tomatoes, 1500 kg of them will be given away, cooked, tasted and production techniques will be exhibited from the past to  nowadays, and the best tomato candies and a photographic competition.

From 09:00-15:00 on Calle Real.


Sunday 20 May, San Fernando
Rastro & Mercadillo Agricola 

The second hand Rastro fleamarket takes place in the surroundings of the southern town hall every Sunday, with a lot of great bargains to be found. This Sunday, like every second sunday there is a farmers market too.

 


Other events happening around Gran Canaria

18-19 May, Gran Canaria 
Día Internacional de los Museos 2018.

International museum day is celebrated on Gran Canaria.  Cabildo de Gran Canaria and ‘Museum May’ and night at the museum offer includes conferences, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, free visits, etc. in seven different  museums and cultural centres.
See the full program ( in Spanish ) here