What is Día de Canarias?

Residents and tourists across the Canary Islands are preparing for Día de Canarias this Saturday, 30th May, as towns and resorts get ready for one of the region’s biggest annual cultural celebrations.

The public holiday is the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands Parliament in 1983 and is celebrated every year with traditional music, dancing, food fairs, concerts and local events across all of the islands.

This year, however, as the holiday falls on a Saturday, many schools and businesses will not benefit from an additional weekday break as they would when Día de Canarias lands during the week. Despite that, large crowds are still expected at celebrations throughout the weekend, particularly in popular town centres and coastal areas.

What to expect?

Tourists visiting the islands over the weekend can expect a lively atmosphere, with many municipalities organising cultural events, artisan markets and outdoor performances showcasing Canarian traditions. 

The festivities typically include a wide range of cultural and recreational activities:

- Traditional Music and Dance: Performances of folk music and traditional dances like the "isa" and the "tajaraste."

- Sports: Traditional Canarian sports such as "lucha canaria" (Canarian wrestling) and "juego del palo" (stick fighting).

- Food: Local cuisine is showcased, with dishes like "papas arrugadas" (wrinkled potatoes) with "mojo" sauce, and "gofio" (a type of flour made from roasted grains).

- Art and Crafts: Exhibitions of Canarian crafts, including pottery, embroidery, and basket weaving.

- Parades and Fireworks: Many towns and villages host parades, and the evening often concludes with fireworks to end the celebrations.

Will Shops, Restaurants and Tourist Areas Stay Open?

Although tourist areas are expected to remain busy and largely operational, some services may still be affected by the holiday. Some services will remain closed on Saturday, while other local businesses may reduce their opening hours.

Restaurants, bars and shops in major tourist resorts such as Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje, Puerto del Carmen and Maspalomas are expected to operate normally, although visitors are advised to check opening times in advance.

Public transport services, including buses and trams, are likely to run on weekend or reduced timetables, while some towns may introduce temporary road closures or parking restrictions due to concerts and local fiestas.

Popular celebrations are expected in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and numerous smaller villages, where events are likely to continue throughout the day and into the evening.

Visitors are advised to allow extra travel time, book restaurants early where possible, and carry some cash for local markets and smaller businesses.

Día de Canarias remains one of the best opportunities for tourists and residents alike to experience authentic Canarian culture away from the usual resort atmosphere.