The Arona City Council, via the Festivals Department, has organised an extensive programme of religious and local events in celebration of the Festival and Pilgrimage honouring San Antonio Abad. This tradition spans over 400 years and remains deeply embedded in the hearts of the Aroneros, who annually honour the saint, the patron of the municipality, while also embodying joy, festivity, and the traditional warmth of its residents.
The mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes, emphasised that “the festival of San Antonio Abad is one of the most historically significant celebrations in the Southern Region, marked by the intertwining of history, culture, and tradition in our community. It also signifies the beginning of the pilgrimage season in southern Tenerife.”
The customary raising of the municipal flag at the Cross of San Antonio, which heralds the commencement of the festivities, will occur at midday on Friday, January 10. This will mark the start of the religious and popular events that contribute to the magnificence of these patron saint festivities. Additionally, an exhibition of paintings titled ‘Sentimientos’ by Patricia Machado Martín will open that same day. The exhibition will be available for viewing at the City Hall Hall from January 10 through January 31, Monday to Friday, between 08:00 and 14:30.
The Festivals Councillor of the Arona City Council, Alexis Gómez, noted that “these celebrations are cherished because they are closely tied to the history and traditions of Arona as a municipality, with numerous residents actively taking part in this event. As was the case last year, we once again offer free transport from Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Américas, allowing attendees to enjoy the Pilgrimage without concerns about traffic or parking.”
On Saturday, January 11, the popular Magician’s Ball will be held in honour of San Antonio Abad at the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud in Arona. As is customary, wearing traditional attire is essential to partake in this vibrant celebration which will commence at 21:00 and continue into the early hours, featuring performances by local folk groups and guest artists.
Election gala of the Romera Mayor, Procession, and folkloric performances
Arona will select its Major Pilgrimage of the Festivities during an Election Gala taking place on the evening of Thursday, January 16, at the Plaza del Santísimo Cristo de la Salud, commencing at 20:30. This event will lead into an action-packed weekend. On Friday, January 17, the Parish of San Antonio Abad will hold a solemn mass in honour of San Antonio Abad at 18:30, followed by a Procession in honour of the saint, winding through the streets of El Calvario, Domínguez Alfonso, La Luna, Duque de la Torre, Cruz de San Antonio, and returning to the Temple. At this event, there will also be a fireworks display, hot chocolate, and from 22:00, a dance featuring the Tropin orchestra.
Saturday, January 18, will kick off at 10:00 with a children’s morning focused on workshops and exhibitions of traditional games and sports. The Children’s Folk Festival is set to take place in the Plaza del Cristo de la Salud from 12:00, showcasing performances by Güicho Estévez along with various folklore groups and students from both the municipality and visiting guests.
During the afternoon and evening, the XVII Verodal Festival will enchant attendees in Arona Casco with folkloric performances starting from 20:30. Once this festival concludes, a dance will commence in the town square with entertainment provided by the Sabrosa and Nueva Línea orchestras.
Sung mass, pilgrimage, blessing of animals, and festival
The festive agenda for Sunday, January 19, will begin at 10:00 with a Crafts and Gastronomy Exhibition. At 11:00, led by Parranda Chasnera, the traditional sung mass in honour of San Antonio Abad will take place, giving way at midday to the Pilgrimage of the aronero helmet. This event, one of the first of its kind held in the Canary Islands at the start of the year, commemorates the memory of the Aronero agrarian community and their devotion to San Antonio Abad.
Various folk groups from within and outside the municipality will participate in the pilgrimage, adding musical and dance elements among the traditional costumes, vibrant decorations gracing the streets of central Arona, and the meticulously crafted floats that characterise this beloved event.
The route will pass through the heart of the Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) of the aronero town, specifically along the customary path formed by El Calvario, Domínguez Afonso, La Luna, and Duque de la Torre streets. During the pilgrimage, the traditional blessing of animals will also take place, a much-loved event among residents of all ages who bring their farm animals and pets alike.
The orchestras Wamampy and Los Ideales will provide entertainment throughout the evening festival in the central square of the town from 15:30 to 22:30.
On this day, the Arona City Council will establish a special free bus service departing from Los Cristianos (Avenida Juan Carlos I, in front of the Auditoria Infanta Leonor) and Las Américas (Avenida Noelia Alfonso Cabrera, in front of the Zentral Center hotel) towards Arona town at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00, with return services in the afternoon at 16:00, 17:00, and 18:00.
