Almond Blossom Festivals
in the Canary Islands

Fiestas del Almendro en Flor
Islas Canarias

When the first almond blossoms burst into bloom along the slopes and valleys of the Canary Islands, spring fever starts to set in.

One of the most charming spectacles on the islands are the first almost blossoms in January and February, a glimpse of spring while winter is still at its peak and a dash of color in the gloomy higher elevations (yes, believe it or not, it does get cloudy here).

The town halls – even in the tiniest pueblos – are busily planning their annual spring festivals, and the locals are unpacking their traditional costumes – colorful, full skirts and intricately embroidered vests for the women; linen shirts, red sashes and straw hats for the men.

Beginning with the almond blossom festivals in late January, the vivid and vibrant Carnaval celebrations in February and the many romerías leading up to Día de Canaria celebrations in May, there’s no shortage of events to look forward to as spring springs over the Canary Islands.

2020 Almond Blossom Festivals
in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria boasts an enchanting almond blossom season from the tallest peaks of the cumbre to the white washed valley villages. Each year, the Fiestas del Almendros en Flor are held in the lush valleys of Valsequillo and Tenteniguada, the perfectly picturesque mountain village of Tejeda, and white washed San Bartolome de Tirajana in the south.

Each festival lasts an entire weekend and is complete with traditional folk music and anímos, folk dances, traditional dress, farmer´s markets selling fruits and veggies from the fertile valleys and artisanal markets packed with local crafts and knickknacks to take home. There are always plenty of local dishes on offer, including roasted meats by pig and goat farmers and, of course, sweets made from local almonds.

Oftentimes, you can even catch a glimpse of Canarian sports like Canarian wrestling and the salto de pastor, and if you arrive early enough, you might even have the opportunity to milk a cow and partake in the beloved “ordeñá de la teta a la escudilla con gofio” — cow juice milked straight (by you) into a glass and mixed with gofio.

Valsequillo & Tenteniguada
2020 Almond Blossom Festival
January 25 – 26, 2020

Valsequillo and Tenteniguada are typically the first to usher in the almond blossom festivities. If it´s your first time in the area, consider making it a full day out and taking the opportunity to see some of the incredible landscapes in the area, like the Barranco de Cernícalos and the Barranco de las Vacas.

Tenteniguada Día del Turista 2020

Saturday, January 25, 2020 (11:30-15:30)

The charming town of Tenteniguada is nestled in the peaks above Telde and is always worth a visit, but never more so than on their annual Día de Turista. Along the highway,  pink flowers burst from hundreds of almond trees dotting the mountain road and the entire town (few as they may be) are dressed in smiles and traditional Canary dress, welcoming you to sample everything they have to offer.

There will be enough tasty Canarian treats that you can probably skip lunch. Even a little vegetarian like myself got lucky last year  when by chance I met the only vegetarian abuela in town, who took me by the hand and led me away from my carnivorous friends chowing down on carne de cabra and brought me to a pot of  potaje de berros relatively the size of a Mazda Miada. Needless to say, I did not leave hungry 😋.

The festivities in Tenteniguada, though fun, are shortly lived, beginning from 11:30 and wrapping up at around 15:30. Arrive early to be sure to enjoy all that´s on offer.

Valsequillo Fiestas del Almendro en Flor 2020

Sunday, January 26, 2020 (10:00-16:00)

The festivities in Valsequillo on Sunday are quite similar to those in Tenteniguada, though it tends to attract much bigger crowds and the festivities last all day instead of just the morning.

Starting as early as 10:00, you can find no shortage of merry-making in the lovely village of Valsequillo, one of the greenest, most verdant parts of the island. Expect a buzzing atmosphere and plenty of local treats, including roasted goat, locally produced wines and cheeses, potaje de berros and, of course, plenty of almond sweets. There will also be an artisanal and veggie market to take some goodies home with you, local wine tasting and, of course, Canarian folk music.

The crowds usually start to fill the main plaza from around 10:00 and the party typically lasts until around 16:00, when (I assume) our friendly hosts head home with full bellies for a cheeky siesta.

Valsequillo is both a town and the surrounding municipality, and throughout the weekend you can find festivities all around, so be sure to ask around to find out what´s going on and stop by the surrounding pueblos of La Barrera, Las Vegas and Tenteniguada.

Tejeda 2020 Almond Blossom Festival
Jan 1, 2020 – Feb 2, 2020

Tejeda is recognized as one of the prettiest villages in Spain, and for good reason. The lovely whitewashed town of Tejeda boasts impossibly incredible views of Gran Canarias’ dramatic peaks and an old-world charm that makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time as you’ve climbed up the mountainside.

Tejeda Día del Turista 2020

Saturday, February 1, 2020

As in Valsequillo, Saturday morning´s festivities are denominated as Día del Turista. Visitors to the island are welcomed to come see the pueblo dressed up in rosy almond blossoms and colourful flags and are invited to taste local Canarian gastronomy and visit the artisanal market.

The fun will begin with an artisanal fair at 10:30 on the village´s main road, offering such Canarian delicacies as roasted sardines, sweet potato empanadas, chicharrones, and papas arrugadas. And to wash it all down? Local wine and almond liquor!

At 12:30, don´t miss live music featuring Timples y Otras Guitarras Pequeñas del Mundo and in the evening, a concert by local folk legend Arístedes Moreno.

Tejeda Fiestas del Almendro en Flor 2020

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Sunday, February 2, 2020 is bursting once again with local culture, tradition and beautiful almond blossoms in bloom.

The festivities typically start from about 10:00, and if you get their early enough, you might catch the Exhibition of Traditional Sports, including lucho Canario, Salto de Pastor and Lucha del Garrote (11:00-12:00). Afterwords, stick around for more folk music, including a concert by Beletén.

Here you can find the official program (in Spanish) for
Tejeda´s 2020 Fiestas del Almendro en Flor.

Tunte (San Bartolome de Tirajana) Fiestas del Almendro en Flor 2019

February 15-16, 202020 (Official program not yet released).

For visitors staying in the south of the island, Tunte´s Fiestas del Almendro en Flor will be the easiest and most convenient to reach.

As in Valsequillo and Tejeda, there will be a farmer´s market and booths offering plenty of tasty treats. The town hall organizes a walk through the almond blossoms and the town square will be abuzz set to live folk tunes and dances.

Almond Blossom Festivals
in Tenerife

My first almond blossom festival in the Canary Islands was in Santiago del Teide in Tenerife. It was here that was hooked for the first time.

My local hiking buddies took me on one of the most popular routes of the season – starting from the lovely white washed church of the main square and ending in the nearby town of Arguayo.

While we were there a weekend before the big festivities, the trees were already in bloom and the town was already buzzing with nature lovers eager to see he first pretty, pink signs of spring.

Santiago del Teide Fiestas del Almendro en Flor 2020

January 25 – February 15, 2020

In 2019, the annual Almond Blossom Festival in Santiago del Teide will be held from January 25 – February 15, 2020.

Plan Your Trip for the
Almond Blossom Festivals

The official dates change each year, but are usually set for just before Carnival season begins.

In Gran Canaria, Valsequillo and Tenteniguada are usually the first to celebrate, often on the last weekend of January, Tejeda typically celebrates the first weekend of February and Tunte celebrates a week or two later. To plan your trip for 2021, be sure to bookmark this page as I´ll be updating as soon as the 2021 dates are released.

Have You Seen
the Almond Blossoms in Bloom?

If you´ve enjoyed an almond blossom festival in one of the Canary Islands, I´d love to hear about your experience below!

And if you´re planning a trip to the Canaries, don´t forget to check out my monthly events calendars to find out what´s on while you´re in town:

Get Lost in Gran Canaria: September
Get Lost in Gran Canaria: October
Get Lost in Gran Canaria: November
Get Lost in Gran Canaria: December
Get Lost in Gran Canaria: January
Get Lost in Gran Canaria: February CARNAVAL Edition