It’s the Easter holiday and a long bridge weekend with two Spanish bank holidays to end the week. There are many religious processions taking place throughout the weekend around the island with an influx of visitors as well as locals all headed to the seaside to enjoy a sub-tropical spring weekend. There is even a fair to enjoy, “all things from Agüimes” in the less touristy enclave of Playa de Arinaga.
It’s good to remember, that some shops are likely to be closed on Friday but then there are always those that open 365 days a year; we are a tourist destination after all. Governmental buildings, banks, many businesses and most offices are definitely closed. This is a very popular weekend both for tourism and local holidays.
Upcoming events:
13-23 April • Fiestas Santa Águeda 2023 – El Pajar
14-16 April • Feria de Abril – Vecindario
15-16 April • Km.0 Fair Gran Canaria – Telde
15 April • The 5th Tomato Fair – La Aldea
16 April • Cheese Fair 2023 – Gáldar
21-23 April • Gran Canaria Me Gusta -fair 2023 INFECAR
Upcoming bank holidays:
Thursday, 6 April Public Holiday in The Canary Islands – Holy Thursday, Jueves Santo
Friday, 7 April Public Holiday in Spain – Good Friday, Viernes Santo
Monday, 1 May Public Holiday in Spain – MayDay, Fiesta del Trabajo
Saturday 13 May Local bank holiday in Vega de San Mateo: Festividad en honor a la Virgen de Fátima.
Monday, 15 May Local bank holiday in Gáldar: Feast of San Isidro Labrador- Festividad de San Isidro Labrador
Monday, 29 May Local bank holiday in Valleseco: Fiesta del Patrón del Municipio – San Vicente Ferrer
Tuesday, May 30 Public Holiday in the Canary Islands – Canary Islands Day, Día de Canarias
*** Check out the regular listings and markets and a range of other events, including carnivals on our main calendar at The Canary Guide website***
The weather looks to be great over the next few days. Not too cold and not too hot, just as a “normal” spring weekend should be. Highs around 24º C in the shade, in the southern tourist enclaves, and a few degrees lower in the capital, on the north east coast. Sunday looks to have more prominent cloud cover over the island, most likely in the north.
The Canary Guide
#WeekendTips 7-9 April 2023
Brisa Marina Fair in Playa de Arinaga 8-9 April 2023
The Brisa Marina Fair, ‘La Feria Brisa Marina’ (The Sea Breeze Fair), brings together the best local produce in Playa de Arinaga.
The Brisa Marina Fair gathers on Saturday and Sunday in Playa de Arinaga, showcasing the best Kilometre Zero produce from the eastern municipality of Agüimes. The event will include artisans, merchants, and agri-food producers who, for two days, will put on display for visitors the characteristic quality offers of the municipality. There will also be fun activities for the little ones, and musical performances that will turn the event into a party by the sea.
The exhibition market fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday on Avenida Polizón.
On Saturday, April 8, from 11:00 to 21:30, while on Sunday, April 9, the programming will run from 10:00 to 14:00.
The event features numerous stalls by local artisans, in addition to those set up by farmers, ranchers, and merchants from Agüimes with their traditional offers of local produce such as honey, oil, salt, typical sweets, cheese and wine made in the municipality. The Brisa Marina Fair also has a large program of complementary activities designed by the Agüimes Town Council, in which those aimed at children really stand out. There will be inflatable attractions, as well as balloon twisting and puppet workshops. Also noteworthy is the performance of Aseres, who will put the musical icing on the event on Saturday evening, starting at 20:00.
Easter processions in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this weekend
Friday 7 April, Good Friday VEGUETA
”LAS MANTILLAS” PROCESSION
Faithful women dressed in traditional White Canarian scarves, “The Sorrowful” follow the path of the pain of a Mother behind her crucified son. The cortege prays with the Holy Rosary and upon arrival at the main plaza, and before entering the Temple, the Bishop imparts a Blessing from the Balcony of the Episcopal Palace. From the entrance to the Cathedral to the sound of Chopin’s Funeral March, the Sermon of Seven Words is celebrated.
Leaving at 11:00 and arriving back at 12:30. Route : Obispo Codina, Espíritu Santo, Reyes Católicos, Doctor Chil, Plaza del Espíritu Santo, Castillo, Plaza de Santa Ana, Obispo Codina to the Cathedral.
MAGNA PROCESSION INTER PARISH VEGUETA & TRIANA
Starting at 18:30 A total of 15 stages from Santo Domingo, San Francisco and San Agustín will run through the streets of Vegueta and Triana; malagueñas will be sung in the Gabinete Literario with the participation of famous local songstress Cristina Ramos (singing malagueñas in front of the Gabinete Literario) and another artist to be confirmed.
The Virgen de los Dolores crosses the Guiniguada ravine (on the banks of which the original old town was built and the city founded) as part of the Magna on Good Friday
The parishes of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, San Agustín and San Francisco take their religious icons out to the streets and join in stages to form the Magna Procession.From the Parish of Santa Domingo leaving at 18:30 and returning to the temple at 22:00.
From the parish of San Agustín, leaving at 18:45 and returning to the temple at 21:30
From the parish of San Francisco leaving at 19:00 and returning to the temple at 22:00
‘Retiro de Triana‘ procession
From Santo Domingo leaving at 22:30 and returning at 23:30
‘Retiro de Vegueta‘ procession
The images of Cristo a Cuestas and the Virgen de los Dolores will depart from Santo Domingo at 22:30 and returning at 23:30
Sunday 9 April, Domingo de Resurrección
The procession ‘del Resucitado‘ on Easter Sunday morning at 11:30, departs with the image of the risen Christ for the first time from the large parish church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.
More Easter processions on Gran Canaria this weekend
TEROR
On Good Friday, there are two processions:
at 19:00 the Holy Burial procession
Route: Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino, Calle Inglesia Chica, c/de la Cal, Nueva, Párroco Juan González, Doctor Pedro Rodríquez, Paseo González Díaz, Real de la Plaza and back to Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino.
and then at 21:00 the procession of Loneliness
Route: Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino, Calle Inglesia Chica, c/de la Cal, Nueva, Alcalde Isaac Domínguez , c/ Real de la Plaza and back to Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino.
On Sunday, Domingo de Resurrección
The Procession of the Risen Lord at 12:45
Route: Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino, Calle La Herrería, c/ Nueva, c/. Del Riego, c/ Real de la Plaza and back to Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pino.
AGÜIMES
Friday 7 April.
Crucifixion procession at 12:00
The holy burial procession at 21:00
See more from
A summary of some of the main Easter processions worth visiting on Gran Canaria (2023)
The traditional 'Quema de Judas' in Teror on 8 April
The traditional ‘Quema de Judas’ (burning of Judas) in Teror on Saturday, at 23:00, with a bonfire burning at the stake or a public figure.
This is for all you night walkers…
The Easter Vigil and the traditional Burning of Judas in the municipality of Teror, as a symbolic religious act, marking the fabled betrayal of Judas, and at the same time contains present-day social criticisms too. As is tradition, Judas is performed by a group of young people from the municipality and represents a modern-day famous person, the name of which will not be known until Saturday night, to the surprise of the attendees. In recent years they have varied characters offered up for the Burning, including locally known characters Pocholo, la Pantoja de Puerto Rico, as well as Britain’s (then) Prince Charles and even America’s orange-skinned 45th ex-president…
The giant “rag doll” (an effigy over six meters tall) will be paraded starting at 19:30 through the streets of El Casco and El Rincón, in a truck and accompanied by the Vitamina band with the final destination at the Plaza de Sintes, where it will be burned by the community at 23:00, and there will also be a fireworks show. After the Burning, the festival begins at the Plaza de Sintes with Orchestra Furia Joven and Línea DJ
The Burning of Judas is a tradition that formerly was celebrated in almost all towns and it has continued in Teror (among a few other places).
Cocodrilo Park in Agüimes is open on Easter Weekend
This is always an amazing place for the whole family to see and enjoy and the Cocodrilo Park will be open on Easter weekend!
Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30-16:30
Some species that you can find in the Crocodile Park Zoo, many exotic creatures rescued from animal smugglers trying to transit through the port of Las Palmas, include: crocodiles, lizards, turtles, snakes, iguanas, tropical bird, tigers, monkeys, birds and endless native flora.
Casa de Cólon in Vegueta, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Casa de Cólon is a museum in a colonial-style mansion in the heart of Vegueta, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Singular architecture, patios for relaxation and contemplation, the permanent collection of the voyages, pre-Columbian archaeology, cartography, scale models…
In the exhibition ‘Island of Art. A collection for the Museum of Fine Arts of Gran Canaria’ you can observe, great works of the History of Art in the Canary Islands, among which are a ‘Crucified Christ’ and a ‘Dolorosa’ by the sculptor José Luján Pérez from Gran Canaria (Guide, 1756-1815), one of the most recognized artistic figures in the entire archipelago.
Opening hours during this weekend:
Friday 10:00-15:00
Saturday 10:00-18:00
Sunday 10:00-15:00
Normal entry fee €4, (children under 18 free), over 65 or retirees €2, etc.
Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibition in Las Palmas de GC - Ticket event
For the first time in the Canary Islands, Da Vinci is here, the exhibition on the greatest inventor of the Renaissance. Discover the most advanced machines of the 16th century and the secrets of this controversial inventor, artist, painter, anthropologist, and much more in the Commercial Centre El Muelle in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Exhibition of interactive machines
Throughout the month of April, special prices of €8 euros per adult, €5 for 8-12 years as well as over 65. Family pack €37 (2 adults & 2 kids) +a fee of 1€/person.
The exhibition is open until 28 May 2023.
Normal ticket price: €10
Reserve your ticket from: tomaticket.es
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday from 16:00-20:00
Friday to Sunday and bank holidays from 10:0-13:00 and 16:00-20:00
Agricultural Market in Vecindario - 8 APRIL
The biweekly Saturday Agricultural Market, ‘Mercado Agrícola‘ 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 of 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 small 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
6-8pm Kids’ Easter Party. (Fully Booked now and kindly ask we don’t want to upset any of our little people, booking is required.)
11 – close Coast FM Radio
LPA EN VIVO – LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARiA
These are the ‘LPA en Vivo‘, (‘LPA Live’) concerts and shows scheduled for the month of April 2023 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. These gigs are part of another program of “LPA En Vivo”, a project to boost the cultural offer in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria venues and support artists.
Music venues: Fabrica La Isleta, Talleres Palermo, Motown Bar Cerveceria, El Aparte, Malecón de la Habana, Moma Club, and Imaginario Drinks&Music
All gigs are free entry until capacity is reached.
On Friday – Motown at 22:00 -> Take Five
JAZ ALICE MUSIC
Last month to see Jaz singing on Gran Canaria.
THE 19th HOLE MELONERAS
Bar & Grill in the shopping centre Varadero in Meloneras. Live Music every night from 22:00
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. and not forgetting the Sunday Roast Dinner from 1pm to 6pm.
Open every day from 08:00-02:00
On Friday: ABBA Gold Tribute
On Saturday: Tom Jone & UB40 Tribute
On Sunday: The Champions Rock’n Roll Show
Don’t forget the Easter Sunday Fun for the kids from 16:00
The 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗬 & participation in the Easter Games is 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 of charge to all children of families visiting & consuming at any of the Barbacoa venues @ the BARBACOA Family Entertainment Centre* – there is a special offer going for the 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗲𝘀 & 𝗧𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 and the 𝗙𝗼𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 with an additional charge of 3 euros (𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙡!)