Arona City Council Takes Direct Control of Valle San Lorenzo’s Our Lady of Fatima Festival
The Arona City Council has assumed direct management of the Valle San Lorenzo festivities, which run from May 8 to 17 and feature a diverse program of traditional Canarian cultural, sporting, and religious events.
The festivities in honor of Our Lady of Fatima in Valle San Lorenzo are set for a major change this year. The Arona City Council has announced that it will now directly manage and coordinate the events, which take place from May 8 to 17. This shift aims to streamline the logistics of the festival, which serves as a key social and cultural event for the area. To ensure the festival’s local character remains intact, the council is working closely with sports clubs, neighborhood groups, and local associations.
The program is diverse, blending traditional crafts—such as patchwork, bobbin lace, and rosette workshops—with a strong focus on Canarian heritage. Canarian wrestling will be a highlight, featuring a new commemorative exhibition at the local arena and a league match between C.L. Chijafe and C.L. San Antonio Abad.
Key events include the election of the Festival Queen on May 9, the traditional costume ball (Baile de Magos) on May 15, and the Festival of the Islands on May 16. That Saturday will also feature children’s activities, local cooking contests focusing on gofio and mojos, and a veteran soccer tournament.
The celebrations culminate on Sunday, May 17, with the traditional pilgrimage (Romería) to the La Centinela Viewpoint for a floral offering and blessing. To help manage traffic and make it easier for people to attend, the council is providing a free shuttle service between Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, and Valle San Lorenzo. The day will wrap up with a community lunch at La Centinela and a closing dance featuring performances by the Caracas, Malibú Band, and Nueva Línea orchestras. Beyond its religious roots, the festival remains a vital way to bring the community in southern Tenerife together.