August is the peak of Lanzarote’s summer fiesta season, with celebrations taking place in several of the island’s towns. Here are three of the most important.
THE SNOW VIRGIN
Nuestra Señora de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows) is the patron of one of the oldest and highest churches on Lanzarote, a pretty white building that “dominates the immense panorama of Famara beach and the islands that the sea separates us from”, as a 1930s poet put it.
On the 5th of August each year, the church is the site of a pilgrimage which brings islanders from all over, some travelling on foot or in horsedrawn carts up the long ridge from Teguise, and even others scrambling up the cliffside itself.
The atmosphere is festive, and at midday the image of the Virgin, her snow-white robes gleaming in the sunshine, is paraded around the church, after which the festivities commence.
THE FLOATING PARADE
In Puerto del Carmen, the fiesta of Our Lady of Carmen is always celebrated in early August. There are several activities and concerts at the Old Town Harbour in the days leading up to the highlight of the festivities, which will take place on Saturday 10th August this year.
This is when the image of the virgin is removed from the Church of Carmen and carried to the harbour, where it is mounted on one of the fishing boats. The maritime procession then takes place, with several boats sounding their whistles and letting off fireworks. It’s a colourful, noisy and joyful affair, with an unforgettable atmosphere. The festivities wind down on Sunday 11th, with a firework display to end the fiestas.
THE CAPITAL CELEBRATES
In Arrecife, the fiestas of San Ginés have traditionally been among the most important on the island.
They take place in the weeks leading up to August 25th, with all sorts of activities including the traditional jolatero regatta, when kids paddle brightly-painted hand-made tin boats with their flip-flops.
Arrecife always holds a big concert to round off its fiesta, and this year it plans to bring Colombian latin pop artist Sebastián Yatra to the capital.
OTHER FIESTAS
Other towns holding their local fiestas in August include Mozaga (11th August), La Geria (15th), Tinajo (16th), Nazaret (18th), Playa Honda (18th), San Bartolomé (24th) and Órzola (25th). Check the local Ayuntamiento’s websites for full details.
VERBENA VIBES
Lanzarote’s fiestas are usually marked by several verbenas. These are open-air concerts where the wine and beer flows freely, grandparents enjoy the fun in specially-provided seats, adults meet friends, teenagers flirt and little kids run wild.
In contrast to more traditional folk concerts, verbenas usually feature carnival bands who pump out an endlessly upbeat string of famous merengue, salsa, bachata and reggaeton hits, with DJs on hand to fill in the gaps.
