The hottest month of the year on Tenerife sees nearly all the action take place outdoors. Forget figures, all you need to know is that it will range from hot to too hot everywhere on the island, even in the hills where it is often hotter than the coast. It’s easy to spot which locations the Spanish mainlanders head to as the beaches there are covered in a sea of umbrellas.
Culturally there is a great mix of events that show the yin and yang of what’s going on. The pilgrimage to Candelaria dates back to an event that took place before the conquest of Tenerife whilst the music festivals in Arona and Costa Adeje brings the party bang up to date.
The downside to August is that this is the month when Tenerife is at greatest risk from forest fires and care has to be taken at all times when exploring the tinder dry countryside.
The Best Fiestas on Tenerife in August
Fiesta de la Virgen de Candelaria, Candelaria (14/15 Aug)
The celebration of the arrival of the black Madonna during the age of the Guanches on Tenerife sees Canarios from across the island make their way on foot to Candelaria (probably because trying to park the car is a nightmare at this time). If you haven’t been to one of the bigger traditional fiestas this might be an overwhelming one to start with as there can be 100,000 pilgrims in the town over the main fiesta days. The afternoon and night of the 14th is when the romería is held and the re-enactment of the sighting of the ‘Virgen’ takes place which is a hoot. The 15th is a bit more serious with solemn processions around the Basilica.
The Romería de San Roque, Garachico (16 Aug)
One of the nicest romerías on Tenerife mainly because it’s in one of the prettiest towns, Garachico. Apart from that it’s the usual extravaganza of decorated carts, locals in traditional dress, lumbering oxen, goats, donkeys and lashings of food and wine. Apart from the romería there are a few things taking place in Garachico in August including the Fiesta de la Tradiciones (9th, 10pm)
Hearts of Tejina (Corazones de Tejina), Tejina (25 Aug, Midday)
One of Tenerife’s ‘odd’ fiestas with three giant hearts made of fruit and pastries being paraded through the towns streets before they are erected outside of the church and abused by the creators of the other hearts. Again like most Tenerife fiestas there are other events taking place around the main day.
Fiestas de La Caleta, Costa Adeje (until 4 Aug)
The north doesn’t get all the fun in the fiesta stakes. La Caleta is close enough to the main southern tourist resorts for people to wander from the beaches to get a taste of island life outside of the resorts. Sunday (4th) is a good day to pop along as there are processions, music and a giant paella.
The Best Festivals and Music on Tenerife in August
Sunblast Festival, Costa Adeje (3 Aug, tickets from €66)
Sunblast, the big summer music festival, brings a very different crowd to Costa Adeje Golf with three stages featuring an army of DJs including Dubfire, Sydney Samson, Gregory Klosman and Andy C.
Arona Summer Festival, Playa de las Américas (17 Aug, tickets from €40)
Not to be outdone by their neighbours, Arona holds its own DJ rich summer festival in August. The names at Arona Summer Festival include Alesso, Redfoo, Michael Calfan, Nervo and The Zombie Kids.
Marea Festival, Candelaria (2 to 4 August, 9pm)
It’s a big fiesta month in Candelaria with lots of events during the first two weeks. The Marea Festival is the main musical event with bands rocking Playa Larga over the opening weekend of August. The names might not be familiar (Tal Para Cual, Little Big Rebel, Batucada Almagec, Mayelín, Moise Gonzalez, Barco a Venus and Troveros a Asieta) but in our experience you usually get to hear some decent music at these festivals.
Sansofé, El Médano
Sansofé starts in July in El Médano but the juiciest events take place in August starting with the Sensaciones de Verano (2 Aug, 7pm) with lots of local tapas and vino; then there’s the Festival of New Talent (9 and 10 Aug, 9pm) and the Folclórico de los Pueblos featuring traditional acts from across the world (17 and 18 Aug). There’s also a lot more going on as well.
Arona Latin Fest, Los Cristianos (Auditorio Infanta Leonor & Cultural Centre, 23 to 25 Aug)
Los Cristianos literally dances to a Latino beat for 3 days during Latin Fest towards the end of the month.
Foodie and other Events on Tenerife in August
Pinolere, La Orotava (30 Aug to 1 Sep)
The biggest and best artisan fair on Tenerife has slipped into August. There are goodies galore to be eaten, drunk and bought in a lovely setting of thatched huts below lush green slopes.
PWA World Cup, El Médano (3 to 9 Aug)
There are even more windsurfers than usual as the PWA rolls into town with this important World Cup event. August in El Médano is going to be a busy and buzzing month.
Whilst these are our pick of the most interesting events on Tenerife, there is an overwhelming amount of interesting activities on Tenerife each month. Cultural Centres are excellent places to find out what’s happening wherever you are on Tenerife.