Tenteniguada Almond Blossom Festival
It’s the last weekend of January and exactly two weeks to go until the 2023 Carnival season starts on Gran Canaria. This weekend will most probably be enjoyed with a drop of wet weather, Sunday being forecast as the rainiest. The southern tourist enclaves look to also see a bit of cloud cover and even a small chance of seeing a few drops of rain. However you look at it, it may be handy to have umbrellas and raincoats around during the days to come. There is even the possibility of some snow on the mountains as we head into next week.
Preparations for the Almond Blossom Festival in the municipality of Valsequillo are in full swing and on Saturday, “Tourist Day” will take place in the lovely little village of Tenteniguada, a tiny traditional mountain community above Valsequillo (famed for its cheese and strawberries) and on Sunday, festivities take place in multiple different areas, including our very own Las Vegas <Viva!>.
This Sunday, in Ingenio, the first “big” Romería pilgrimage offering of the year takes place as well as a day of activities, a lovely little market, and there’ll be an art exhibition to explore in Fataga.
Upcoming events:
4-5 February • Almond Blossom Festival in Tejeda
4-5 February • Km.0 Fair Gran Canaria in Moya
5 February • The English Market, ‘Mercadillo Inglés The British Club of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
10 Feb – 5 March • Carnaval Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
10-25 February • Carnaval Galdár
11 Feb – 5 Mar • Carnaval Agüimes
4-5 March • European Cheese Fair in Tejeda
Upcoming bank holidays:
Thursday 2 February is a local bank holiday in Ingenio: Our Lady of Candelaria – Festividad de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
Tuesday 21 February is a local bank holiday in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Santa Brígida, Valleseco, Teror, Tejeda, Santa María de Guía, Moya, Arucas, Firgas: Shrove Tuesday – Martes de Carnaval
Thursday 23 February is a local bank holiday in Agüimes: Carnival Thursday – Jueves de Carnaval.
*** Check out the regular listings and markets and a range of other events, including carnivals on our main calendar at The Canary Guide website***
AEMET Weather forecast for Gran Canaria Sunday 29 January 2023
AEMET weather forecast Mogán
VALSEQUILLO - Almond Blossom Festival 28-29 January 2023
Valsequillo de Gran Canaria is celebrating this year the 50th “Ruta del Almendrero en Flor“, Almond Blossom Route of Valsequillo de
Gran Canaria.
This weekend one of the most traditional celebrations in the Canary Islands takes place throughout the rural municipality located in the north-eastern mountains of Gran Canaria, about 20 minutes drive up from Telde or a half-hour bus ride. Just 1 hour from the southern beaches by car.
“The beginning of the almond trees blossoming completely changes the landscape of Valsequillo creating a wonderful natural spectacle. To celebrate the beautiful picture of pink and white flowers in the municipality, since 1971, the Almond Tree blossom Route is held every year at the end of January.”
The bus company Globalsu will have special buses, including from Faro de Maspalomas (on Saturday) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Saturday 28 January: The Almond Blossom Festival in Tenteniguada, “Día de Turista”
This well-attended event in the tiny traditional mountain village above Valsequillo offers plenty to do and see including a traditional street market and traditional artisans, folkloric performances and Canarian music, tastings of various typical Canarian dishes, and a range of indigenous games. Between 10:30 – 15:00.
Sunday 29 January: The Main day of festivities in Valsequillo Casco, Las Vegas, La Barrera and in Tenteniguada.
-Valsequillo centre: at 10:00 the inauguration of the Artisan exhibition in the pedestrian area, Avda. de Juan Carlos I and Calle Isla de Tenerife.
at 10:00 Music on Plaza de Tiffaritti.
at 10:00 performance by “Los Gofiones” on Plaza de San Miguel.
at 11:00 music performances by “Rando de Ánimas de Valsequillo” on the main streets of te centre and municipal market.
at 11:30 animal exhibition.
at 12:00 competitions and exhibitions including stick fighting and shepherd’s leap in the area next to the municipal swimming pool.
-Las Vegas: from 12:00 tastings of typical products, at 13:30 more tastings. at 14:00 threshing exhibition at the Paco Peñate el las Suertecillas grounds. Pork roasting throughout the day with tasting taking place after 16:00
-Barrera: Farmers’ market between 08:00-16:00 in Parque Miguelito Calderín de La Barreta. Music performances, visit the antique museum of D.Benigno, Artisan exhibition and tastings of typical products.
-Tenteniguada: the stalls will open at 10:30. From 11:00 traditional music groups will perform. at 12:00 tastings of typical products of the land.
INGENIO - Patron Saint festivities of La Candelaria and San Blas
The municipality of Villa de Ingenio is celebrating its Patron Saints’ festivities in honour of Our Lady of Candelaria and San Blas between 24 January – 5 February 2023, “Las fiestas en honor a Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria y San Blas. During the festivities, the locals gather to celebrate the pilgrimage offering to the Virgin, folkloric shows, cart races, a religious procession, gastronomy day, a livestock fair and many other festive events.
Friday 27 January: Pregón
-The official proclamation of the festivities at 21:00 at Plaza de la Candelaria.
– Family day with special prices at the FunFair (set up at Recinto ferial and Plaza Adolfo Suárez). Opening hours: 18:00-22:00.
Sunday 29 January: Romería
-The pilgrimage offering starts at 11:00. Carts will gather from 09:00 and the route goes from Calle Sebastiana Espino Sánchez via Calle Doctor David Ramírez and calle Juan XXIII to Plaza de la Candelaria.
After the romeriía XXVI Baile de Taifas on Plaza de la Candelaria
-FunFair (set up at Recinto ferial and Plaza Adolfo Suárez). Opening hours: 11:00-14:00 & 18:00-22:00.
Thursday 2 February is a local bank holiday in Ingenio: Our Lady of Candelaria – Festividad de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
The day will celebrated with a Craft and Agricultural market on Calle Ramón and Calle Cajal from 09:00-15:00 and a Livestock fair and exhibition at Recinto Ferial de la Cantonera. There will also be a Eucharist at 11:00 followed by a religious procession that will start and finish from Plaza de la Candelaria.
FATAGA - "El arte ama las medianías" exhibition and "Sabor a Fataga" on Saturday 28 January
A perfect Saturday to visit the beautiful little village of Fataga, on the GC-60 roadway up into the mountains. It’s a nice 30-minute drive up from Maspalomas, passing some gorgeous views and places to visit on the way, including the viewpoint and the ancient burial site in Arteara. Bus number 18 (Globalsu) has two schedules on Saturday going up and down, leaving from Faro de Maspalomas.
“El Arte Ama Las Medianías” a collective art exhibition between 11:00-17:00, accompanied by Canarian music, a handicraft market, children’s entertainment, an inflatable and the “Sabor a Fataga” tapas route.
The collective exhibition will have the participation of artists of different nationalities, all of them residents of the municipality and with some link to Fataga. Tanne Eline, Schuiling, Gabriela Grundner, Isabel Llarena, María Urquijo, Filippo Grottanelli de Santi, Abel Kormos, Manaso, José Vera, Enrique Heiner and Soledad Martel will exhibit their works at the Intergenerational Centre, from 11:00 to 17:00.
Parallel to the exhibition, in the Plaza de Fataga, the market, an inflatable and workshops will be set up, all of which will be energised with Canarian music from the “Trío Salitre”.
In addition, the celebration of “Sabor a Fataga”, a tapas route, (which is held on the last Saturday of each month). The restaurants; El Albaricoque, Grill Fataga, El Labrador, and Bar Los Giles will offer a variety of tapas to create a wide range of flavours in Fataga.
MERCADO AGRÍCOLA DE VECINDARIO
The biweekly Saturday Agricultural Market in Vecindario still takes place on the main street at the Plaza de Los Algodoneros (next to the Hotel Avenida de Canarias ) 🍉🌼🥔🥑🍌 Get the best seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, flowers and much more, straight from the local farmers and producers.
From 08:30 – 13:30 Plaza de Los Algodoneros
“It is also the perfect opportunity to explore the kilometres-long main street of this neighbourhood, Avenida de Canarias.”
MARKETS IN THE SOUTH GRAN CANARIA
• Friday is always market day in Playa de Mogán in the morning. This popular market is in one of the prettiest fishing harbour towns on Gran Canaria, very popular with tourists.
• On Saturday, the Maspalomas market offers all kinds of textiles, Objet d‘art and other articles, located now in a new venue at Parque Europeo in Playa del Inglés, while the municipal market is being re-built. It is one of the markets most enjoyed among visitors along with Friday’s in Playa de Mogán;
El Mercadillo de Maspalomas is on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00.
• On Saturday in Arguineguín, a second-hand market on Plaza Negra (the marketplace) in the morning 09:00-14:00 with a wide range pre-loved treasures.
• On Sunday, the “rastro” second-hand market, ****The second-hand market now takes place in the Ciudad deportiva de Maspalomas, next to football field 2 and close to Pepe Chiringo and Parque Sur de Maspalomas.
• This Sunday, the biweekly little farmers’ and Artisan Market of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.
LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND
THE 19th HOLE MELONERAS
Bar & Grill in the shopping centre Varadero in Meloneras. Live Music every night from 22:00
MULLIGAN’S GRAN CANARIA IN PLAYA DEL INGLÉS
The lively Gastro Bar in Playa del Inglés. Live music every night, great food and a wide selection of beers.
Open every day from 10:00-02:00
Friday: Mulligan’s Misfits
Saturday The Champions
Sunday: Hits 4 Life
KELLY MARLOW
The astounding US Rock sensation, now a local star on Gran Canaria, playing out to an international audience and live across the airwaves.
On Saturday at ROCKABELLA in Playa del Inglés at 18:00-21:00 and later at THE SHAMROCK BAR at 22:30
On Sunday at THE SHAMROCK BAR in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria at 22:30
BARBACOA SHOW BAR – EUROPA CENTRE IN PUERTO RICO DE GRAN CANARIA
Drinks, Food, Children’s play area, piano bar, sports, and much more
On Friday: ABBA Gold Tribute
On Saturday: Tom Jone & UB40 Tribute
On Sunday: The Champions Rock’n Roll Show
Barbacoa Piano Bar & Cocktail Lounge Alex Buta from 21:00, Friday to Sunday
