It’s a grand weekend ahead and over days that follow with two of the most popular traditional annual celebrations on Gran Canaria. Exceptionally, this edition of weekend tips continues on until 11 September due the famous patronal festivities in La Aldea having 3 main days of celebrations, including the rather epic spectacle of El Charco.
Saturday. 8 September is also a bank holiday on Gran Canaria, so most non-tourism oriented shops will be closed to celebrate the revered patron saint of Gran Canaria, in honour of the Virgin of the Pine.
7-9 SEPTEMBER, TEROR
FIESTAS DEL PINO
The big weekend for the Fiestas del Pino, sees more than 200,000 people going to enjoy the Pilgrimage-Offering on Friday, Saturday the day of the Patroness and on Sunday the day known as Las Marías.
The major fiesta held in Teror is the Fiesta in Honour of Nuestra Señora del Pino (Our Lady of the Pine), patron of the island of Gran Canaria. It dates back to the seventeenth century when the venerated statue of the Virgen del Pino was taken down to the island capital in order to add emphasis to their prayers for rain. By the eighteenth century a pilgrimages had started to become one of the most popular events, and still these days they remain as one of the main attractions of this traditional fiesta. The meeting of the faithful and the procession-goers on the road to Teror throughout the night are now a custom that draws thousands of visitors and residents from across the islands.
Friday, Romeria – the pilgrimage offering from Castañero Gordo to Plaza de Sintes, starting around 15:00-16:00. Expect a lot of people and there will be representatives from all the municipalities on Gran Canaria, leading 22 traditional harvest carriages, as well those as from other islands. This walk up the mountain is followed by an after party in the plaza with music, dancing etc. as well as fireworks just after midnight.
On Saturday Solemn mass at 12:00 in the church is followed by the traditional parade at 13:00 following the image of the Lady of the Pine. The parade includes The Canary Light Infantry Regiment No. 50 and a is followed by concert from José Vélez a Plaza de Sintes at 21:00.
On Sunday Dia de Las Marias , patron’s festivities of Teror. Eucharist in the church at 8:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00, a market in the morning, a daytime party from 14:00 with music at Alameda Pío XII. Solemn mass at 19:00 at the Basilica del Pino followed by a procession of the image of our Lady of the Pine along Calle Real of the Plaza as well as fireworks during the procession.
Ancient chronicles tell of an image of the Virgin that appeared without prior notice in Teror. Towards the end of the 15th century, the village of Teror was a faraway settlement locked within dense laurel forests. The event reinforced the “enchanted town” trademark, one that still feeds the imagination of the islanders after 500 years. As luck would have it, this was also an ideal place to hide your gold away from 15th century pirates who might plunder more coastal communities…
8 SEPTEMBER, Playa del Inglés
Afternoon Tea Retro 70s Edition
More tea Cool Cats?? Can you dig it? Time to get down to The English Bakery Co at the CC Eurocenter in Bella Vista (next to the Comisaría de Policia) on the GC 500
Shake your cool beans, put on your best threads and boogie on over to the island’s hottest new bakery for an outta sight retro jive!
Chill out with a Pina Colada, Del Boy style, hang loose with a shaken not stirred Martini or get down with your hipster self and a Pink Gin Fizz! You also get a yummy cream tea loaded with your fave snacks from the 70s!!
Let it all hang out listening to disco hits from the 70s in a retro themed setting! It will be a gas!
Boozy Option -€10 – Pot of Tea Total Option €6
Free Parking at front of Eurocentre!
8-9 SEPTEMBER, SARDINA, GALDAR
SARDINA VIVA 2018 FESTIVAL
Sardina Viva 2018 Festival in the municipality of Gáldar, held this Saturday and Sunday on Avenida Antonio Rosas de Sardina.
17 hours of music with some of the most popular local groups of the Canary Islands, as well as workshops, aquatic inflatables for children and a foam party. And on Sunday 9, in addition, the IV Swim across Sardina.
On Saturday from 12:30 to 00:00 and on Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00 ( foam party on Sunday 13:00-14:00 ) inflatables and workshops all throughout the opening hours.
SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER, TEJEDA
FIESTAS DEL VIRGEN DEL SOCORRO
As part of the ongoing festivities, there is a ‘TEJEDA CIRCUS DAY’ happening on Saturday from 16:00-20:00 at the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Socorro. Workshops in aerial acrobatics, balancing, juggling, and then some as well as face painting. At 21:30 a musical performance by “Jovenes Cantadores’ and followed by more music.
SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, ANFI DEL MAR, MOGÁN
IV MIXED BEACH VOLLEY TOURNAMENT ANFI DEL MAR
Sporting event on the beach this Saturday at the beautiful luxury time share resort Anfi del Mar. From 09:00-20:00.
9-11 SEPTEMBER, LA ALDEA DE SAN NICOLAS
Fiestas Patronales en honor a San Nicolás de Tolentino
On Sunday, a Cattle Fair at 10:30 on Avenida de San Nicolás. Bajada de La Rama, lowering of the branch at 17:00 from Almacén de Los Picos, a pre-hispanic peculiarity handed down from the Canarian aborigines, who came from the mountains to the sea carrying branches from the trees in times of disasters and drought to pray for rain. This will be followed by a late night party from 23:30 with the orchestras Guajavi and Tamarindos at Plaza Proyecto Desarrollo Comunitario. A Fireworks exhibition will be at midnight at the back of the football field.
On Monday, the Diana Floreada in the morning from 6:30 on the streets of the municipality, Mass and a blessing at 07:00 at the Parish of San Nicolás. at 11:00 Eucharist at the Parish of San Nicolás followed by a procession from the Parish
The Romería Ofrenda a San Nicolás de Tolentino, pilgrimage offering in honour of San Nicolás de Tolentino at 18:00 from Almacén de Los Picos. Baile de Cuerdas (dancing) and music at 22:30 at La Alameda and a popular party with orchestras at 23:30 at Plaza Proyecto Desarrollo Comunitario.
On Tuesday, Día de El Charco. At 09:00 people start to gather at La Alameda and at 10:00 walk towards the famous El Charco. Dancing and music by the harbour from the Banda de Agaete at 12:00, and a meeting of music groups from 14:00 at the Parque Rubén Díaz.
Pesca de La Rica Lisa “El Charco” starts at 17:00.
At the cry of YA! “Now!” and with the firing of a rocket flare into the air, thousands of people carrying baskets will all enter the large brackish pond by this beautiful cobble beach, to try and catch themselves a slippery, spiny loach fish with their bare hands. A spectacle in itself. Later that evening the El Charco- gala at 21:00 will be held at Plaza Proyecto Desarrollo Comunitario.
SUNDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER, SAN FERNANDO
RASTRO & MERCADILLO AGRICOLA
The second hand 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.
SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER, CC LA MARETA, TELDE
OPEN SUNDAY
The big three in telde; IKEA, AL CAMPO AND LEROY MERLIN will all be open on Sunday for some shopping and Back to School style bargains.
