Carnival Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is known as the tranquil island. But when there is a carnival or fiesta on - it is anything but. And there are a fair few of those on during the year!

Locals let their hair down, banks and shops close early and adventurous holidaymakers who join in the fiestas usually leave with some memorable holiday snaps – and a hangover!

Usually fiestas revolve around the patron saint of one particular village or another. They usually consist of religious ceremonies, processions either through the streets or, in coastal areas, on the sea and fairs and music.

January 6 is the Day of the Kings – Dia de los Reyes. The Three Holy Kings are celebrated all over the island, and the rest of Spain. In Fuerteventura the eve of Epiphany is marked by a street parade with floats from which the Three Wise Men distribute Christmas gifts to the children of the towns.
    
February and March is carnival time – an event even Franco could not stop. This is celebrated all over the Canary Islands. Thousands of tourists are attracted by the fun and sheer spectacle of the carnival celebrations.

Fancy dress, although not compulsory, is encouraged. The more sedate events tend to take place during the week but at weekends – watch out! The highlight of carnival is the election of a Carnival Queen. The funfairs do not normally get going until about 7pm and carry on until late.

The parade tends to end at an open air party that has music, bands and stalls run by bars and restaurants. The party doesn't normally get going until midnight and carries on often until 6am or later!

In some places carnival runs over days and in other places weeks. Exact dates vary but approximately they are:

• Puerto Del Rosario – February 17 - March 5
• Betancuria and Antigua – February 18-23
• Antigua February 23 - March 3
• Tuineje - March 3-13
• Costa Calma - March 4
• Pajara - March 5
• La Lajita - March 6
• Corralejo - March 10-20
• Morro Jable March 10-25
• Gran Tarajal  March 2-3

But take care - carnival changes every year!

Easter fiesta

Easter is one of the most important weeks in the calendar. During Semana Santa there are solemn processions where religious statues are carried through the streets of many villages and towns. In some areas of Spain it is a tradition for a prisoner to be released from jail.

New Year's Eve fiesta

By far the biggest fiesta on New Year's Eve on Fuerteventura takes place in the capita, Puerto del Rosario. Don't go out too early though - the carnival doesn't start until shortly before midnight and goes on all night!

Aim to get to the church square about 11.30pm to get a good position. It will still be deserted then  and don't forget to take a dozen seedless grapes if you can get them!

Fiesta tradition dictates that on each stroke of the church bell you have to swallow a grape - everyone who achieves it gets god luck but it is harder than it seems!

At the last stroke, fireworks will explode, stands will burst into life selling drinks and snacks, a band will start playing and the fiesta goes on all night!
  

Other carnival dates

February 24 Fiesta del Agua (water festival) in Agua de Bueyes

March 3 Fiesta del Agua in Valles de Ortega

May 15 San Isidro Labrador in Triquivijate

May 20 Ntra. Senora del Cobre in Los Alares

July 16 Ntra Senora del Carmen, Las Salinas

August 16 San Roque in Valles de Ortega

August 27 San Francisco Javier in Las Pocetas

September 8 Ntra Senora de Antigua in Antigua

September 8 Ntra Senora de Guadaloupe in Agua de Bueyes

September 29 Fiesta de Los Peregrinos (Pilgrim’s Festival)

October 12 Feria Caleta de Fuste

The oldest carnival tradition is claimed by Venice with laws establishing the holiday dating back to the 13th century.

The meaning of carnival has changed over the years and is now and excuse for getting dressed up and letting your hair down.

Another explanation for today's meaning of the word carnival puts it's origins back in 15th century Spain when the Catholic church ruled with an iron fist and religious festivals had to be strictly followed.

One of these festivals was Lent, a period of 40 days before Easter when nobody was allowed to eat meat from Ash Wednesday until the festival was over.

The idea of carnival was to enjoy a time of celebration and feasts before the long, dull period to follow.

Carnival took off in a big way and people were having parties from Carnival Sunday until Shrove Tuesday and this time became known as "the three jolly days."

The three days of carnival soon became an annual event and because the country's rulers did not believe in freedom of speech, people wore masks so they could poke fun at the nobility.

One person was elected the "The Prince of Fools" and during carnival, he would ridicule the clergy. nobility and anyone in authority.

But he could get away with it because he was The Fool and ony jesting - and that is where the term Jester came from.

Carnival - Los Archipencos

Like carnival floats on water, the Archipencos is a traditional part of carnival in the capital Puerto del Rosario.

Home made vessels battle to sail from the port to a small beach.

Carnival - burying the sardine

This old carnival tradition was even painted by Goya back in about 1812.

The sardine is paraded through the streets. Unlike in some Spanish towns, in Fuerteventura it is set alight to be followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

The 2006 burning in Puerto del Rosario takes place on March 5, the day after the big carnival parade.

..2006 carnival dates .. 2006 carnival dates .. 2006 carnival

Puerto del Rosario - theme "World of Cinema"

• February 23 20.00 Birth of the carnival sardine followed by "rebel" singing groups, a procession from Plaza la Pez to the fairground by the bus station. 21.30 Presentation of the carnival Queen contestants.
• February 24 10.00 Students street carnival parade. 21.00 Competition for the "rebel" groups at the fairground. 24.00 Live music and dancing.
• February 25 21.00 Crowning of the carnival Queen. Music and comedy. 24.00 Dancing. All at the fairground.
• February 26 13.00 Los Archipencos home made boat competition. 18.00 Children's fiesta
• February 27 21.00 Carnival drag Queen gala. 23.00 The big carnival street party begins - don't forget fancy dress!! Both at the fairground.
• February 28 Bank holiday in Puerto del Rosario. 18.30 Election of children's carnival queen.
• March 1 18.30 Pensioner's tea dance.
• March 2 18.00 Children's carnival fiesta
• March 3 21.00 "Rebel" group marathon. 24.00 Dancing - fairground
• March 4 17.30 Carnival parade - floats, music, costumes. Leaves the fairground and proceeds Avd Reyes de Espana, Primero de Mayo. Prolongacion Ramiro de Maestro returning to the fairground. 22.00 Dance with various orchestras.
• March 5 19.00 Burning of the carnival sardine followed by big firework display.

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