As well as boasting a warm climate throughout the year, spectacular sandy beaches, a rich gastronomy and an endless list of attractions, Tenerife has a wide range of events and festivals lined up for 2013. From sports and music events to religious and traditional festivals, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Some of the upcoming events taking place in Tenerife this year, include:

APRIL

Tegueste Wine Month, Tegueste
Throughout April 2013

Tenerife is a great place for wine lovers, as the island’s wines have a special flavour due to the island’s dramatic volcanic soil. Because of this tradition, Tegueste, in north Tenerife, celebrates the “month of the wine” every April to showcase the island’s gastronomy and culture around Tenerife’s wine industry, which includes five denominations of origin (produced in five different wine regions). Throughout the whole month, Tegueste will host various wine and food tasting sessions, street markets, concerts and workshops. There are also many wine and tapas routes to explore. www.tegueste.es

“History, The Musical”, Costa Adeje
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until the end of April 2013

This musical pays tribute to the most famous composers and musicians in history, from classics such as Beethoven or Mozart to more contemporary artists including the likes of Michael Jackson, Abba, Queen, Shakira or Adele, without forgetting The Beatles, Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley. More than 20 artists from 15 different countries perform in this musical that will entertain audiences for more than two hours. Prices from €35 (approximately £30).
www.magmatenerife.es

50th Anniversary of The Beatles in Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz
From 27th April to 9th May 2013

The town of Puerto de la Cruz is commemorating the 50th anniversary since The Beatles first visited Tenerife with a 13-day programme that will honour one of the greatest bands of all time. Events include concerts featuring the band’s most popular songs, documentary films such as “Let it be”, forums, lectures and a street market. Back in 1963, The Beatles chose the fishing village of Puerto de la Cruz as their first holiday destination as a group after recording their debut album Please Please Me. www.webtenerife.co.uk

45th Romería de San Marcos, Tegueste
28th April 2013

This festivity, one of the busiest religious events on the island, brings together people of all ages dressed in traditional costumes to honour Saint Mark the Evangelist. Throughout the day, many ox-drawn carts decorated with rice, wheat and poppy seeds traverse across the city centre while the locals follow the “Danza de las Flores” (“Flowers Dance”), dancing in pairs to the rhythm of a traditional drum. Music continues well into the night with live performances from several bands and groups in Tegueste’s main square. www.tegueste.es

MAY

Fiestas de la Cruz, Los Realejos
3rd May 2013

Every May, the town of Los Realejos, in the north of the island, hosts one of Tenerife’s most important celebrations: the “Fiestas de la Cruz”. This festivity sees the town virtually covered by over 300 crosses decorated with stunning flowers, a tradition that has three centuries of history attached to it. The spring-like scenery gets even more colourful with a three-hour firework competition on the night of 3rd May, attracting people from all over the world to witness the biggest pyrotechnic display on the Canary Islands. Celebrations take place between two streets, ‘El Medio de Arriba’ and ‘El Sol’ in Los Realejos. www.webtenerife.co.uk

Mueca – International Street Art Festival, Puerto de la Cruz
10th, 11th and 12th May 2013

Mueca is a street art festival that features a wide array of different and original activities for those visiting the town of Puerto de la Cruz, in north Tenerife. Mueca’s programme includes activities that vary from theatrical, circus and musical performances to photographic exhibitions and workshops. Some of the national and international names that have performed in previous editions include British theatre company Lost Banditos, Italian comedian Leo Bassi, French caricaturist and painter Leandre and Spanish mimic group Yllana.
www.festivalmueca.com

JUNE

Corpus Christi, La Orotava
6th June 2013

Corpus Christi is perhaps the most famous and inspiring of Tenerife’s religious festivals. Vast, intricate coloured carpets of flower petals and volcanic sands are laid out in the streets for the processions of local people and dignitaries, members of the Island Cabildo (Government), the queen of the festival and the municipal band to pass over. The most spectacular carpets are made with three tonnes of sand on the Town Hall Square and is a composition of biblical scenes. www.villadelaorotava.org

Fiestas de San Juan, Puerto de la Cruz
23rd - 24th June 2013

Puerto de la Cruz is the town in Tenerife that hosts the island’s most popular midsummer celebrations. The festivities begin on 23rd June, the eve of San Juan, where many bonfires are set alight and the beaches become a lively beach party for the night. The highlight of these fiestas arrives when the sun comes up on 24th June, when the “baño de las cabras” (“goat dip”) takes place. This is an aboriginal tradition that comes from the ancient inahbitants of the island, the Guanches, who used to celebrate the summer solstice by bathing goats. www.puertodelacruz.es

JULY

International Film Music Festival, Santa Cruz
5th - 14th July 2013

Fimucité pays tribute to the most popular soundtracks in the film industry. This year, the event will honour Elmer Bernstein, composer of well-known soundtracks such as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Magnificent Seven. James Bond will also play a big role in this edition and will be the main theme in many events. The most important one will see the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra playing many of the saga’s most popular songs, including ‘Skyfall’, awarded the ‘Best Original Song’ at the 2013 Academy Awards. www.fimucite.com

Festival of the Virgin of Carmen, Puerto de la Cruz
16th July 2013

The fishing village of Puerto de la Cruz celebrates one of the major events that honours the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen. Every year, locals carry the statue of the Virgin Mary from her chapel to the fishing harbour in a well-decorated boat. Once at the beach, the fiesta continues with the release of doves and a great firework display before the statue is taken back to its sanctuary. www.webtenerife.co.uk

AUGUST

Professional Windsurfers Association World Championships, El Médano
1st August 2013

El Médano beach, in south Tenerife, is famed for hosting the annual Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) World Championships. Representing excellence in windsurfing, the event will showcase the very best windsurfers in the world, who have reached the highest level of competition. There will also be music concerts and recreational activities for everybody to enjoy. Located on Tenerife’s south coast, just a few kilometres from the south airport, El Médano beach is internationally recognised as the kite boarding and windsurfing capital of Tenerife. It is characterised by its regular trade winds that act as a magnet for surfers, its cool resort atmosphere, and its natural golden sands that extend for over three kilometres – making it the longest stretch of beach in Tenerife. www.pwaworldtour.com

Arona Summer Festival, Arona
16th August 2013

Arona is gearing up to welcome the third Arona Summer Festival. Having attracted more than 15,000 people in its first two editions, the festival will once once again host some of the most well-known names in the dance music industry. Previous events have boasted renowned acts such as David Guetta, Sean Paul and Avicci. www.aronasummerfestival.com

Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria, Candelaria
14th and 15th August 2013

The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria commemorates the patron saint of the Canary Islands every August. The festivities last for two days and see a wide array of religious and traditional events taking place in the town of Canelaria, located in Tenerife’s north east coast. The main event honours the first appearance of the statue of the Virgin to the “guanches”, the ancient inahbitants of the island and, for this occasion, many locals wear traditional indigenous dresses. As well as being famed for this festival, the town of Candelaria is renowned for its tasty seafood and lively athmosphere.
www.webtenerife.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Festival of the Christ of La Laguna, La Laguna
14th September 2013

The Christ of La Laguna is Tenerife’s oldest religious image and the town honours him every September. The entire month sees a great amount of religious, cultural and sports events taking place in La Laguna, Tenerife’s former capital, located in the north east of the island. Highlights include a lively procession during which a statue of Christ is carried across the streets of the town prior to a big pyrotechnic display. La Laguna is one of Tenerife’s most historical towns, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.
www.webtenerife.co.uk

OCTOBER

Tenerife Bluetrail
19th October 2013

Tenerife Bluetrail is the island’s most extreme long-distance mountain race. The trail traverses across Tenerife’s most spectacular volcanic landscapes, from the southern tip of the island to the verdant north, passing by the majestic Mount Teide en route. The exciting event was developed in 2011 under the concept of “trail running for all”, as it aims to integrate different types of runners in one marathon race. The event, held annually, will take place on 19th October this year and will feature four different trails for all types of people and abilities, from experienced runners to beginners. Prices from €30 (approximately £26). www.tenerifebluetrail.com

NOVEMBER

Opera: Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco, Auditorio de Tenerife (Santa Cruz)
26th, 28th, 30th November 2013

Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, the Auditorio de Tenerife is hosting Nabucco for three days in November. Nabucco is widely considered as the opera that established Verdi’s reputation as a composer. Tenerife Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Miquel Ortega, will count with an international cast and the participation of the Chorus of the Tenerife Ópera. The Auditorio de Tenerife is a stunning Opera House designed by acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava. Prices from €10 (approximately £9). www.auditoriodetenerife.com

‘The Boards of San Andrés’, Icod de los Vinos
29th November 2013

This event sees the younger citizens of Icod de los Vinos and sourrounding villages slide down the steepest streets in the town on wooden boards greased with tar in order to reach great speeds. This tradition dates back to when wood was used to make the wine barrels to be transported from the higher to the lower parts of the town. This day, on the eve of Saint Andrew, also marks the new wine season when many local wineries offer tastings of their new seasonal wine, along with roasted chestnuts and salted fish.
www.icoddelosvinos.es

‘Fiesta of the pot and the chestnut’, Puerto de la Cruz
29th November 2013

In a nutshell, the aim of this fiesta is to make as much noise as possible. On the evening of 19th November, locals drag their pots and other ‘noisy’ objects all the way to Puerto de la Cruz’s main square, where they meet and try to make themselves noticed. The other part of the festivity is the roast chestnut tasting. During the evening, the square becomes a big street market featuring typical Canarian food such as wrinkled potatoes, red and green “mojo” (paprika and green coriander sauces), fish as well as chestnuts.
www.webtenerife.co.uk

DECEMBER

Tenerife Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert, Santa Cruz
25th December 2013

A key event on the island’s calendar is the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert. The evening performance takes place under the stars in the harbour of Tenerife’s capital city, Santa Cruz, and brings together around 20,000 people. Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1935 and currently conducted by Michal Nesterowicz, is one of the main cultural references in the island and has performed in countries such as the UK, Germany, Austria or China. www.ost.es

For a full list of events and festivals and the latest up-to-date information, please visit: www.webtenerife.co.uk/events

Tenerife is just over a four hour flight from the UK. Direct flights operate from many regional airports in the UK and Ireland and holidaymakers can plan their break with the help of: www.webtenerife.co.uk.