The Candelaria Festivals 2025, one of the most emblematic celebrations in Canary Islands, will take place from 5th to 15th August in the municipality of Candelaria, on Tenerife. This festival pays tribute to the Virgin of Candelaria, patroness of the Archipelago, and each year attracts thousands of faithful, pilgrims, and visitors.
Although the image of the Virgin is also celebrated on 2nd February, it is on 15th August, coinciding with the Assumption of Mary, when the majority of religious and popular events take place, making this festival a highlight of the Canarian summer.
Candelaria Festivals 2025 Events Programme
This year’s programme includes religious events, cultural activities, concerts and ancestral traditions, including the popular Guanche Ceremony, a historical recreation of the discovery of the Virgin before the conquest of Tenerife.
- 8th August: Los Cantadores and Shaila Dúrcal
- 9th August: Banda de Música Las Candelas with jazz musician Paquito D’Rivera
- 10th August: Concert by St. Pedro
- 12th August: Performance by Efecto Pasillo, with Neo Pinto as the opening act
Wrestling and Sports
On 13th August, the traditional Institutional Wrestling will take place, bringing together the best young wrestlers from the Archipelago. There will also be female and junior wrestling events.
Religious Events and Pilgrimage
On 14th and 15th August, the main religious events will take place:
- 14th August:
- Eucharists throughout the day
- Procession of the Virgin from the basilica
- Guanche Ceremony at 20:00 h
- Procession to the well, singing of the Ave Maria and fireworks
- The basilica will remain open all night with rosaries every hour
- 15th August:
- Masses from 5:00 h
- Athletic floral offering, military parade and civic procession
- Solemn Eucharist presided over by the bishop of Nivariense
- Evening procession and rain of fireworks

The image of the Virgin of Candelaria in the Basilica. / Andrés Gutiérrez
The Guanche Ceremony, a ritual with centuries of history
One of the most anticipated moments is the Guanche Ceremony, a theatrical representation of the meeting of the image of the Virgin by the island’s ancient inhabitants. This act, orally transmitted since the 18th century, will take place on 14th August at dusk, with the participation of the Colectivo Guanches de Candelaria, and will be broadcast by RTVC and TVE in the Canary Islands.
Other Relevant Events in the Programme
- Opening of the Festivals: on Wednesday 6th August, by Alfredo Díaz Gutiérrez from the César Manrique Foundation, with musical intervention by tenor Pancho Corujo.
- Fireworks Display: after the procession on 14th August from the harbour.
- Night of Parrandas: in the Plaza de Teror, in memory of Rosaura Marrero Fariña, on the night of the 14th.
- Rosary Prayers throughout the night from 14th to 15th at the Basilica, open continuously.