Lanzarote Events, Fiestas and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain)
Fiestas, parties and festivals abound on the island of Lanzarote, which features an impressive calendar of events. Notable festivals in Lanzarote include a number of lively carnivals in February, Holy Week at the end of March, the Dia de la Cruz (Day of the Cross) each May, Lanzarote's Corpus Christi celebrations in June, and the three-week long Heineken Jazz Festival every July.
For those looking for more sporting events, the Lanzarote Marathon will not disappoint and is a major crowd-pleaser, taking place at the end of November each year in the town of Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital.
National Public Holidays
- 1st January - Ano Nuevo / New Year's Day
- 5th January - Epifania / Epiphany
- 19th March - Dia de San José / St. Joseph's Day
- Late March or early April - Jueves Santo / Maundy Thursday
- Late March or early April - Viernes Santo / Good Friday
- 1st May - Fiesta del Trabajo / Labour Day
- 15th August - La Asunción / Feast of the Assumption
- 12th October - Nacional de Espana / National Day
- 1st November - Todos los Santos / All Saints' Day
- 6th December - Dia de la Constitución / Constitution Day
- 8th December - La Inmaculada Concepción / Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- 25th December - Navidad / Christmas Day
Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- Cabalgata de los Reyes (Three Holy Kings / Wise Men) - January 5th, involving three locals dressed in costume as the 'Three Kings', parading around the streets of Arrecife, followed by decorated floats handing out sweets to crowds of onlooking children.
February
- Arrecife Carnival - mid-February, a week-long array of carnival festivities in Arrecife, including the tradition of burying a sardine on Ash Wednesday, and parades of people dressed in brightly coloured costumes, bands, music and dancing, culminating in a fireworks bonanza. Many of the main events are held in the Recinto Ferial, Arrecife's main showground.
- Puerto del Carmen Carnival - late February, a three-day event held over the weekend following Ash Wednesday, with processions of spectacular floats along the Avenida Maritima de las Playas, street entertainment, and a notable gala event on the Friday.
March
- Holy Week - mid-March, Holy Week in Lanzarote, with a range of religious festivities leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
April
- There are no significant festivals and events in Lanzarote during the month of August.
May
- Dia de la Cruz (Day of the Cross) - early May, known for its colourful decorated crosses, which are covered in flowers (Cruces de Mayo). Events are held throughout Lanzarote, particularly around public plazas, and involve dancing in authentic Canary Island costumes.
June
- Corpus Christi - mid-June, a Catholic event, where many streets are decorated with coloured salt and occasionally flowers, leading up to the San Ginés Church in Arrecife.
- San Juan (St. John's Day) - late June, celebrating the rich history and heritage of Lanzarote and marking the Summer Solstice, with parties around the island. Festival highlights include outdoor concerts and dancing, traditional rituals, sporting competitions, and at night time, numerous fireworks displays and bonfires, particularly along the coastline and in northern Lanzarote, with people jumping high over the flames.
July
- Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz and Mas Heineken (International Jazz Festival) - mid-July, three-week long Heineken Jazz Festival held on all of the Canary Islands, with a range of jazz concerts attracting international musicians and jazz bands based in Teguise.
- Fiesta de Nuestra Senora del Carmen (Senora of the Carmen Festival) - mid-July, with celebrations throughout Lanzarote, particularly clustered in and around Teguise, Tias, Yaiza and the Caleta de Sebo fishing village on the adjacent Isla Graciosa, also known as (La Graciosa). Religious statues are transported around the coastlines on boats, and streets filled with flowers, together with a range of parties and festivities.
August
- Dia San Ginés - late August, major week-long celebrations throughout the island, even in the smallest villages, honouring Lanzarote's Patron Saint, San Ginés, with the most extravagant festivities surrounding the Iglesia de San Ginés in the town of Arrecife.
September
- Fiesta of the Virgen de los Dolores - mid-September, where people all over the island of Lanzarote pay tribute to their Patron Saint, the Virgin de los Dolores, including folk music, fairs and general festivities.
October
- Dia de la Hispanidad / National Day Festival - October 12th, a notable public holiday with festivities and parties around Lanzarote, celebrating the history and heritage of Spain.
November
- Lanzarote Marathon - late November / early December - a popular race attracting large crowds of both participants and spectators, along the streets of Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote located on the eastern side of the island.
December
- New Year's Eve - December 31st, both locals and visitors to the island party to celebrate the arrival of the new year, with the best firework displays along the coast, reflecting in the waters.