Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Candelaria’s big August celebration
Candelaria is throwing itself into its most important days of August. The municipality is preparing to welcome residents, visitors and pilgrims for the festivities in honour of the Virgin of Candelaria, Patron Saint of the Canary Islands, with most of the main events taking place between 14 and 16 August. The traditional pilgrimage on the night of the 14th into the 15th, the Guanche ceremony, the processions of the Virgin, the “Las Candelas de Canarias” offering and a concert by Los Sabandeños will make for a particularly intense weekend in the Villa Mariana.
Friday 14 August: the pilgrimage begins
Friday 14 August will be one of the most eagerly awaited days of the Candelaria 2026 festivities. The Basilica of Candelaria will hold masses at 8.00am, 10.00am, midday and 6.00pm. At 5.15pm, the holy rosary will be prayed.
At 7.15pm, the Virgin of Candelaria will leave the Basilica in procession to the grounds next to the Town Hall, where the rite of the finding will take place. The Guanche ceremony will begin at 8.00pm. This re-enactment is one of the best-known events of the festivities and recreates the encounter between the ancient inhabitants of Tenerife and the image of the Virgin.
After the ceremony, the procession will continue to El Pozo. On its return, next to the Town Hall, the rector of the Basilica will offer a greeting, followed by performances from Alba Fariña and Fernando Santana and the singing of the Ave Maria by Chago Melián. A fireworks display from the pier will then light up the sky, before the procession makes its way back to the Basilica.
At 9.35pm, the cloister of the Convent of the Dominican Fathers will host the special Canarian Television programme “Night of Pilgrims”. The day will draw to a close at 11.00pm in Plaza de Teror with a Night of Street Parties (Noche de Parrandas) in memory of Rosaura Marrero Fariña.
Saturday 15 August: the main day
15 August is the central day of the festivities in honour of the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands. Activities begin in the early hours, with masses at the Basilica at 5.00am, 6.00am, 7.00am, 8.00am, midday and 6.00pm.
At 9.00am, there will be a reception of drummers and an offering by the cultural association La Guanchería de Los Realejos. At 10.00am, the 35th Floral Offering to the Virgin of Candelaria will take place.
The official events continue at 10.45am in the grounds next to the Town Hall with a military parade and the reception of the representative of His Majesty the King of Spain, Astrid María Pérez Batista, President of the Parliament of the Canary Islands. At 11.30am, the civic procession will set off from the Town Hall to Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias.
The solemn concelebrated Mass will begin at midday at the Basilica, presided over by Bishop Eloy Santiago. At the end of the service, the Virgin of Candelaria will process through Obispo Pérez Cáceres and Los Príncipes streets, accompanied by a shower of firecrackers.
Events continue through the afternoon and evening of 15 August. The holy rosary will be prayed at the Basilica at 5.15pm. At 8.45pm, the Virgin will be transferred from Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias to the grounds next to the Town Hall, where the offering to the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands, “Las Candelas de Canarias”, will take place from 9.30pm.
Sunday 16 August: closing celebrations
The festivities continue on Sunday 16 August with further religious celebrations. The Basilica of Candelaria will host masses at 8.00am, 10.00am, midday and 6.00pm. At midday, following the religious service, the Virgin will once again process through Obispo Pérez Cáceres and Los Príncipes streets. The holy rosary will be prayed at 5.15pm, and at 6.00pm a thanksgiving mass will be held for the festivities.
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