To the rhythm of timples, guitars and drums the streets are filled with party with the intention of promoting and maintaining mainly the agricultural and livestock tradition of the municipalities of the Canary Islands. Thus today, the pilgrimage is a traditional festival of the Canary Islands and of great importance for each people, where each one has its peculiar touch and is different in terms of flavors, typical costumes and music.

Romería comes from rosemary, (pilgrims heading to Rome, or any sanctuary) and is a Catholic festival that is based on pilgrimage or a trip, usually to a country site or a mountain to visit the sanctuary or hermitage of a Virgin or a patron saint of the place. This trip takes place in floats dressed as a gala, on horseback, or on foot.

The Canarian pilgrimage can last a whole day, where indigenous sports activities are also carried out, such as the club, Canarian struggle, among others; and traditional activities such as Canarian handicrafts, related to basketry, lace and embroidery. These festivals are characterized by the tasting of typical products, folk music and the traditional Canary costume, among which there are small differences, which allow to identify the inhabitants of one town or region of another, as well as, from one island of another. The typical clothing of the Canary Islands, is the result of the influence at that time of the different social classes of the islands. They are classic and ancient models used today both in festivals and celebrations of the town as well as in folk groups and institutional celebrations. Wool,linen and silk is the most commonly used fabric. The English-influenced blanket is the most characteristic garment of the Tenerife peasant, folded in two and frowned on the neck (although it was also worn by women and children when it was very cold). The most characteristic garment of tenerife’s peasant is the small palm hat. Its definitive form was acquired in the last decades of the nineteenth century, generalizing its use until the middle of the twentieth century and tied under the bun outside the handkerchief.

In Tenerife there are several villages that celebrate these traditional festivals and there are many people who come to celebrate at these festivities. The Romería del Socorro held in the municipality of Goimar is the oldest and is celebrated in honor of our Lady of Relief. Other pilgrimages of great roots and that enjoy great popularity on the island are those of San Isidro held in La Orotava, the Romería de San Benito Abad in La Laguna, that of the Virgin of Candelaria, Patron of the Canary Islands and that of Tegueste honor of San Marcos.

From the end of April to the end of September, the Pilgrimages are held in each village with different dates.

Thus, pilgrimages are festivals that always invites you to enjoy them to locals and to the rhythm of their music and traditions.