Canary Islands Day: an unforgettable May 30th

Surely, you already have beach days, water sports and hiking excursions planned for your holidays in the Canary Islands. But did you know that this archipelago has a very vibrant culture?

If you are visiting the islands on May 30th… you are in luck! The Canary Islands Day is the perfect time to get to know the local culture and gastronomy. You can also see typical dances and traditional crafts. Keep on reading to discover everything you need to know about May 30th in the Canary Islands!

Papas con mojo, one of the most traditional dishes in the Canary Islands

What is celebrated on May 30th in the Canaries?

May 30th is the official day of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands and is a bank holiday on all the islands of the archipelago. This day was chosen in commemoration of the first session of the Canary Islands Parliament, which took place on May 30th, 1983.

Following the signing of the famous Statute of the Canary Islands, the parliamentary session was a historic moment for the islands. From then on, the archipelago had a greater degree of self-management by the Canarian people, who could choose their regional government democratically.

Where is the Canary Islands Day celebrated?

The Canary Islands Day is celebrated on all the islands of the archipelago, so you can experience Canarian culture in any of them. In the 2 provincial capitals, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, there are many cultural and artistic events, while the towns and rural areas are the place to be if you want to witness the most typical and authentic traditions.

Waving Canary Island flag adopted in 1982

What can you do on the Canary Islands Day?

On May 30th, the streets of the islands are filled with music and color. Many people dress in the traditional attire, which varies by municipality, and celebrate with food and parranda (partying). So you need only to go outside to breathe the Canarian spirit in.

If you want to make the most of the day, here are some ideas:

Stroll through the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the central area of ​​Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts numerous activities throughout the day such as dances, typical food tasting, concerts, and events suitable for the whole family.

Tip: during the month of May, the capital of Tenerife celebrates its famous May festivities, so if you are going to spend a few days in Tenerife during this month, you’ll have plenty of events to choose from. If you understand Spanish, we recommend checking the website dedicated to the festivities of the city.

Listen to an authentic parranda in La Gomera: on the afternoon of May 30th, the Parranda Chigadá performs in the Plaza de Alajeró, near the port.

Take part in the Paseo Romero in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: every May 30th, in the Las Canteras area, the traditional Paseo Romero is held. Hundreds of people join and many are dressed in typical clothes. There is music, traditional dishes and folk dances.

Visit a handicraft market in Telde: the city of Telde is located south of Las Palmas. On May 30th, the central streets of Telde host a craft market, an exhibition of old Canarian games and representations of Canarian scenes.

Of course, there will be traditional clothing, local gastronomy and traditional music and dances.

Get to know Canarian wrestling in Lanzarote: one of the most popular sports on the islands is Lucha Canaria, which bears great resemblances to Senegalese wrestling. On May 30th, in the town of Tías, in Lanzarote, you can witness one of these fights based on grappling that takes place on sandy ground.

Canarian folk dancers dressed in traditional clothing

Book cheap ferry tickets to the Canary Islands

Are you ready to immerse yourself in Canarian culture? On Ferryhopper, you can book cheap ferry tickets to the Canary Islands step-by-step! Check out our Map of ferries to see all available connections, compare companies and prices, and book with no hidden fees.

Tip: download the Ferryhopper app to book tickets from anywhere, have your trip information at hand and manage your reservation even more easily and conveniently!