The LXXIX edition of this pilgrimage will commence at 11:00 hours and will gather thousands of people in the main streets of the city.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna will host the grand day of the San Benito Abad 2025 festivities this Sunday, 13th July, with the celebration of the LXXIX edition of its Regional Pilgrimage, the only one with this distinction in all of the Canary Islands. This year, 80 carts, more than a dozen small carts, five boats, and 35 folk groups, including music and dance, are expected to participate.
The planned route for tomorrow will begin at 11:00 hours from the church of San Benito and will later proceed along Marqués de Celada Street, Doctor Olivera Square, Herradores Street, Tabares de Cala Street, La Carrera Street, Adelantado Street, and Marqués de Celada Street, before returning to the starting point.
The mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, highlighted that “this Regional Pilgrimage will be the peak of the San Benito festivities that once again demonstrate the involvement and sense of belonging these events generate among the people of La Laguna. Among other figures, we can highlight the nearly 12,000 people who gathered around the 680 tables at the Magos Ball or the 60 candidates we had, for the first time, for the various selection galas for the Pilgrim.”
“This Sunday is a day to enjoy responsibly and be part of a celebration that glorifies traditions, our primary sector, culture, and the idiosyncrasy of the Canarian people, with a special affection this year for the island of La Gomera, to which we wish to dedicate a heartfelt tribute in our programming,” added the first local authority.
The municipal councillor for festivities, Dailos González, recalled that “for the first time in the history of this pilgrimage, the image of San Benito Abad will be accompanied by San Roque, the co-patron of La Laguna, a unique sight that all attendees will be able to cherish alongside the usual vibrant colours of the boats, floral offerings, special carts, flocks, and regional dance groups that will form the start of the route.”
As is customary, the La Laguna City Council will provide a purple point during this San Benito Abad Pilgrimage in the vicinity of the main stage located at the intersection of Juana La Blanca and Marqués de Celada. In this area, information and advice will be offered for women experiencing harassment or masculine aggression, or for family members and acquaintances who may know victims of this type of violence in need of assistance.
A Orange Point will also be available in La Concepción Square, a mobile facility aimed at providing support, accompaniment, and enjoyment of these festivities for individuals with physical, sensory, motor, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
This year’s safety team will include representatives from the National Police, Tenerife Fire Consortium, Civil Protection, La Laguna Local Police, Civil Guard, and the Canarian Police. Both the mayor and the councillor have expressed their appreciation for the work carried out by this team in the weeks leading up to and during this significant weekend of festivities.
Furthermore, both municipal representatives wished to acknowledge all individuals who have contributed in one way or another to ensuring these festivities reach their fullest glory, especially the Association of Friends of San Benito, who demonstrate special dedication to these events every year.
