Intern in the Canary Islands and celebrate life with unique local Fiestas
Thinking about where to go for a memorable internship?
The Canary Islands don’t just offer sunshine and stunning views; they celebrate life with unforgettable festivals. From wild Carnival parades to flower-filled Romerías, the Canary Islands are bursting with unique and colorful traditions all year round. Whether you’re dancing in the streets, watching traditional sports, tasting local dishes, or seeing boats sail in honor of a saint, every fiesta is a chance to connect with the local culture. Get a taste of the island spirit and discover why doing your internships on the Canary Islands is anything but ordinary!
Carnival
Carnival of Santa Cruz (Tenerife) 📍
Experience the magic of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival during your hotel internships on the Canary Islands! 🎭
During your hotel internships on the Canary Islands with us, you might get the incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most spectacular carnivals — the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It takes place each February-March and is considered the second most popular carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro! ✨
Not only do the music and colors inspire everyone, but the people who join the event also add to the excitement. Each year, a new theme is chosen for the Carnival. It celebrates joy, satire, and cultural expression before lent. The festivities start on a Friday with an opening parade. Over a hundred groups, including musical bands, bring energy and life to the official carnival. Carnival includes parades held during both the day and night, where participants wear imaginative and often funny outfits.
The vibrant Carnival celebrations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz kick off several weeks before the main events, featuring a range of exciting activities, including:
- Competitions among Carnival groups, costume contests
- Free live concerts
- Lively street performances
- Various parades full of music and color
- The grand election of the Carnival “Reina” (Queen)
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the “Reina” 👑 (our Carnival Queen) is elected on the Wednesday before Carnival officially begins, with celebrations starting in full swing on Friday. The election is broadcast worldwide, as the candidates parade across the main stage. The jury consists of members of the municipal corporation and various celebrities. In addition, there is a public voting via SMS. Queen candidates wear very heavy and expensive costumes, that is why they rely on wheeled transportation and sponsorships to help them move and fund these extravagant outfits. Designers craft the costumes using feathers, plastic, metal, and paper. Some costumes weigh up to a couple of hundreds of kilograms.
The day-by-day magic of Carnival
The announcement parade on Friday begins at the Parque La Granja, concluding at the Plaza de España. It crosses the Ramblas, Avenida Islas Canarias, Plaza Weyler and Méndez Núñez to return to Las Ramblas, then turning onto the Avenida Anaga and ending at the Plaza de Europa or the Council of Tenerife building. The parade launches the carnival season, as each group proudly joins to announce the start of the festivities.
On Carnival Saturday there are parties around the whole town. The main locations are the Plaza de España and the Plaza del Príncipe with stages and party tents where people from around the world are dancing. Of course, there are many more places to dance. On Carnival Saturday you can find music and dances in all the bars and streets of Santa Cruz.
The Carnival Monday is one of the most fun and vibrant days of the celebration, with people creating a lively carnival party atmosphere. You can find various performances at the main Carnival locations in Santa Cruz, and many open-air shows fill the streets.
The Tuesday is the grand finale of Carnival. The coso parade features a wide variety of participants, including carnival queen candidates, dance groups, musical bands, carnival floats, and performers in extravagant costumes, and runs along the Avenida de Anaga. After the parade, street parties continue, with locals and tourists enjoying music and dancing.
Carnival officially ends on Wednesday with the Burial of the Sardine. Participants carry a giant paper sardine in a funeral procession, followed by howling widows. On this day the catholic church is mocked by the participants who are dressed up as clergyman.
Get ready to celebrate!
According to all the S-W-E-P interns who participated in the festivities in past years, the Carnival is always lots of fun! So, get your costumes on and make your way to Santa Cruz. 🥰 Don´t miss out on the parade on the Tuesday in case you have your day off!
Of course, our interns enjoy carnival in the other cities on Tenerife. After the official festivities conclude in Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz, the celebrations continue in the south of the island. One of the largest and most popular events in this region is the International Carnival of Los Cristianos. 🎭
Carnival in Los Cristianos (Tenerife)📍
All around Los Cristianos, the streets come alive with people gathered, chatting, dancing💃, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of Carnival. The cheerful, festive atmosphere lights up the town, creating a joyful buzz that’s felt everywhere. Even the days before the grand parade begins, the excitement takes over: vendors set up food stalls, a ferris wheel rises above the crowds, and performers dazzle on stage with drag queen acts, energetic dances, and more. Our S-W-E-P interns and everyone else wear colorful costumes, embracing the celebration with open hearts and wide smiles.
Carnival fever spreads across all the Canary Islands, so no matter where you’re doing your internships on the Canary Islands, you’ll be part of the festivities!
Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria) 📍
A vibrant carnival with drag queen contests, parades, and music. It is famous for its Drag Queen Gala, which became internationally famous for its spectacular costumes, choreography, and boundary-pushing performances.
Carnival of Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) 📍
Held in the famous tourist region, this carnival blends traditional celebrations with vibrant beachside parties. The event is famous for its diversity and welcoming spirit, attracting visitors from all over the world, including a large LGBTQ+ audience.
Carnival event Los Indianos (La Palma) 📍
A unique event where everyone dresses in white and playfully throws talcum powder at each other, symbolizing Canarian emigrants returning from Latin America. This particular event is very well known and a special highlight of the Carnival festivities.
And more…📍
Each island adds its own unique twist to the celebration, making every Carnival experience truly one of a kind.
From breathtaking parades to all-night celebrations, this once-in-a-lifetime experience will make your internships on the Canary Islands unforgettable!!!
Día de Canarias
Celebrate the Spirit of the Canary Islands on Día de Canarias! 🌴🎉🍷🌞
Every year on May 30th, the Canary Islands come alive with pride, tradition, and celebration! As a public holiday across the archipelago, Día de Canarias marks the anniversary of the very first session of the Canary Islands’ Parliament in 1983, led by the region’s first president, Pedro Guerra Cabrera. This day goes beyond a historical milestone; it vibrantly pays tribute to Canarian culture through traditional music, sports, food, and family gatherings. From lively folk performances to delicious local cuisine, it’s the perfect time to experience the true essence of Canarian identity!
History – A long road to Autonomy
The dream of autonomy for the Canary Islands began during the Second Spanish Republic, but the Franco dictatorship put an end to any hopes of autonomy for 46 years. It wasn’t until August 10th, 1982, that the Spanish Parliament in Madrid finally granted the Canary Islands their long-awaited autonomous status with even greater co-determination rights than any mainland Spanish region. A milestone that shaped modern Canarian history.
For Canarians today, autonomy is more than just a political status, it’s a symbol of their unique identity, culture, and the hard-fought right to shape their own future.
Celebration of culture, pride, and tradition during your internships on the Canary Islands
The main goal for Canarians is to showcase their tradition and pride in being a Canarian. They take particular pride in their traditional costumes on this day. Similar to the “Romerías”, each island has different traditional costumes that emphasize one’s origin.
Additionally, they celebrate by playing Canarian folks’ music with typical instruments like the “Timple”, which is a traditional Canarian string instrument and similar to a small guitar or ukelele. It usually has five strings and is played with the fingers or a pick. 💃🎸
Furthermore, there are a few sports that are only exercised on the Canary Islands. One example is “Lucha Canaria”, the Canarian Wrestling. 🏆
Lucha Canaria is not just a sport – it’s a living testament to Canarian heritage, passed down through generations. Historical records suggest that the native inhabitants once used it as a way to resolve disputes over land and territory. Today, this tradition remains as vibrant as ever, with each generation following the same traditional rules.
Fights take place in a circular sand arena know as a “terrero”, where two opponents challenge one another. The goal? To bring the opponent to the ground, making them touch the sand with any part of their body. Wrestlers use a mix of strength, skill, and strategy “mañas”. However, it’s not just about strength, analyzing the opponent’s weaknesses and outsmarting them is just as crucial.
Nevertheless, at its core, Lucha Canaria is built on respect and sportsmanship. Opponents embrace before the fight and shake hands afterward, which highlights the sport’s core value and keeps the camaraderie alive. 🤝😃
Our interns recommend taking the opportunity to try the local cuisine, watch “Lucha Canaria”, and celebrate Dia de Canarias with the Canarians during your internship to experience the culture and traditions of the locals. 💃💕
Romerías
Imagine you and your best friend are doing your internships on the Canary Islands, organized by us, while diving into the island’s rich cultural traditions – Romerías are the perfect way to do just that! These vibrant, traditional Catholic festivals happen between April and September and celebrate much more than just faith; they fill the air with culture, music, and fun. What makes them even more exciting? Communities hold Romerías at different times across all towns on the islands, so if you are lucky, you can join more than one festival. 🎉🍷 These festivals trace their roots to religious pilgrimages, originally inspired by people traveling to Rome, as the word ‘romero’ suggests.
Each place has its own unique twist on the Romería tradition, but one thing remains the same: it’s a festival full of life, community, and gratitude. 💕
Let’s take Tenerife📍 as an example, here, like in many other places, cities hold their Romerías to honor a saint, of who they believed has helped secure a good harvest. For this reason, food and beverages play such an important role in the festivities. Romerías were once an event for the upper class but have transformed into an inclusive religious festival open to everyone, with each town celebrating its own patron saint in a distinct way.
Religious traditions and regional highlights
The festival season officially begins on the last Sunday in April, with Tegueste📍 hosting Tenerife’s first and usually largest Romería. The festivities kick off with the election of the “Romera Mayor” 👑, the festival queen, before the streets transform into a fairground filled with traditional competitions. Participants, known as “romeros”, dress in traditional Canarian attire and offer local produce, wine, and food as they journey through the streets of Tegueste. The Romería itself is a vibrant celebration featuring traditional “barcos” (decorated carts), “danza de las flores” (dance of the flowers), and folkloric music.
This festivity follows a religious background centered around natural products, livestock, and traditional costumes. A priest blesses the livestock, and the people make an offering to the saint before and after the parade.Disclaimer: That offering does NOT involve animals but consists of carefully selected natural products.
In general, the Romerías in the north of Tenerife tend to be much larger than those in the south. Garachico📍 hosts the most spectacular celebration, and locals decorate the floats elaborately and breathtakingly. This mid-august festival is the highlight of the season and truly a must-see event. 🎉🍇🍌🍷
The Baile de Magos💃, or “country folk dance” 🕺🏼, is a fun, traditional celebration typically held the Sunday before the Romería in towns across the Canary Islands. It’s an exciting mix of traditional music, colorful traditional costumes, and dances. Originating in Tenerife, this vibrant dance is also enjoyed on other islands, though it shines brightest on Tenerife. ✨🌴 Don’t miss out on this cultural experience and make sure to rent or buy a traditional outfit to truly join the fun.
Internships on the Canary Islands: Dive into local culture with Romerías
Our interns always say it’s an exciting cultural experience you simply cannot miss during your internship! Imagine walking alongside decorated ox carts, hearing the sound of traditional drums and guitars, and being part of a community that opens its arms to everyone. Whether you’re on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, or Fuerteventura, a Romería is the perfect chance to connect with locals and truly feel the Canarian spirit.
Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen: Canarian culture in motion
You and your new friends would like to experience a culturally and religiously meaningful event during your internships on the Canary Islands? ☀️🥂🥳
Then you have got to join the celebration “Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen”, which takes place every year in July in honor to Virgin Mary, as the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. The festival focuses on asking for protection for seafarers. Both locals and tourists eagerly attend this special festivity. The festivities have their roots in a Catholic tradition, especially prominent on Tenerife, but also take place on all the other Canary Islands📍.
A celebration that sets sail with music, dancing, and traditional food
The impressive procession forms a central part of the celebration. In many coastal towns, a statue of the Virgin Mary is carried by the faithful in a respectful and moving ceremony through the streets, eventually making its way to the sea. 🌊 In Puerto de la Cruz📍, for instance, this tradition peaks when people set the statue on a festively decorated boat and sailing across the water alongside a lively escort of fishing boats and yachts. ⛵This powerful maritime procession represents a symbolic gesture asking for the Virgin’s protection over the sea and its people.
The Fiestas del Virgen del Carmen are more than just religious events, they are vibrant folk festivals filled with culture, color, and community spirit. Believers festively decorate churches and attend services to express their gratitude and present their wishes to the patron saint. But it’s not just about faith, it’s a celebration that truly comes to life with traditional music, lively dancing💃🏼, and delicious local food. Traditional “parrandas” fill the streets with Canarian rhythms, inviting everyone to dance and enjoy the moment. Streets and market squares come alive with the scent of local cuisine, with stands offering Canarian specialities like “papas arrugadas” and spicy “mojo”.
As night falls, dazzling fireworks light up the sky and mark the end of the festivities. Many families consider this celebration the highlight of the year – a cherished occasion to come together in faith and joy. The Fiestas del Virgen del Carmen beautifully show how deeply tradition, religion, and community intertwine in Tenerife and across the Canary Islands. 🥳☀️
Fiesta de la Rama: A cultural highlight for internships on the Canary Islands
Imagine the excitement on August 4th, when the town of Agaete📍 in northern Gran Canaria comes alive with a vibrant celebration. At 5 a.m., the festivities kick off with fireworks to announce the start of one of the island’s most beloved festivals: the Fiesta de la Rama.
Every year, this event honors Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), whose image remains in Puerto de las Nieves year-round, except from August 5-17, when the church moves it temporarily to the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in the town center. The festival, which has been recognized as a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest since 1972, is a profound expression of the island’s cultural identity.
Let the celebration begin
The highlight of the fiesta is the “Bajada de la Rama” at 10 a.m., where thousands of locals and visitors gather in the streets, eagerly picking up branches “ramas🌿” placed by the town hall in the Callejón de la Rama. Participants dance💃🏼 their way up the hills toward the Virgen de Las Nieves Sanctuary. The crowd transforms into a sea of green dancers, all moving in unison as the music from the two municipal bands fills the air.
What makes this event even more spectacular is the presence of giant “papagüevos”, large papier-mâché figures with oversized, comical heads that represent popular local characters. They lead the procession, making their way through the crowd. The whole town transforms into a moving forest, with everyone joining the vibrant green wave that winds its way through the streets, creating a truly unique and authentic experience.
While people celebrate most in Agaete, Gran Canaria, people honor this tradition throughout all the Canary Islands. You won’t want to miss this experience, so if you are S-W-E-P interns doing your internships on the Canary Islands, go get the “ramas” on August 4th and join the celebration of the island’s rich cultures while discovering the deep connection to nature. 🌴☀️
Fiesta de San Andrés: Slide, Sip, Celebrate
Every year on the night of November 29th, you can see people on wooden boards sliding down the streets and drinking lots of wine. 🍷 You might wonder, that sounds fun what is that about? That is the Fiesta de San Andrés. 🎉 Another fiesta that our interns like to enjoy.
The fiesta de San Andrés is mainly celebrated in northern Tenerife📍, especially in towns like Icod de los Vinos and Puerto de la Cruz. Even though the festival bears the name of the patron saint, San Andrés, its origin lies more in wine-making traditions than in religious rituals. It marks the opening of the wine cellars and locals first taste the new wine here after the grape harvest🍇. Townspeople began turning it into a special occasion by sharing with their neighbors and friends. Over time, the celebration evolved into a festival full of local pride, fun, and tradition.
Where tradition echoes through the streets
In the evening, the streets come alive with a tradition called “Los Cacharros”. Adults, but especially children and teenagers, tie strings of pots, cans, scrap metal, and pans together and drag them noisily down the streets, particularly those with steep inclines, creating a sound that echoes through the town. Originally, people may have started this tradition to ‘wake up’ the barrels and signal the town that the new wine was ready to enjoy. 🥳🍷
Another very fun and spectacular tradition taking place in Icod de los Vinos📍, is known as “Las Tablas”, where young people slide down the streets on wooden boards. They ride down on large planks polished with wax and can build up speed easily, all surrounded by enthusiastic crowds cheering them on.
Not to be missed, families and friends make the Fiesta de San Andrés complete by enjoying the lively atmosphere with roasted chestnuts, Canarian delicacies, and most importantly plenty of local wine. 🍷 Town squares fill with parties, music, and food, creating a true sensory experience that blends heritage and youthful energy.
Sounds like lots of run right? So, if you are S-W-E-P interns doing your internships on the Canary Islands, you should definitely join the celebration and experience the vibe with the locals! 🌴🥳
Your internships on the Canary Islands filled with music, culture, and sunshine
No matter which festivity you take part in, whether it’s the colorful Carnival, the lively Romerías, or the unique Fiesta de la Rama, you’ll experience the rich cultural heart of the Canary Islands. Local traditions, music, food, and the joyful spirit of the people shape each celebration’s story. From dancing in the streets to tasting traditional dishes and wearing Canarian costumes, these moments are unforgettable highlights of any internship experience. Join in, celebrate with the locals, and create lasting memories while you discover the soul of the islands. ☀️🏖️🌊💖
