El Médano Announces Two-Week Festivities for Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja
El Médano will host its annual festivities in honor of Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja from September 11 to 24, featuring a diverse program of religious traditions, community events, and the signature 19th Romería Barquera.
El Médano is gearing up for its traditional festivities in honor of Our Lady of Las Mercedes de Roja, which will run from September 11 to 24. The two-week celebration blends religious tradition with a busy social calendar, anchored by its most popular event: the 19th Romería Barquera on Sunday, September 20.
The festivities kick off this Friday, September 11, with the 21st Night Route to the Ere del Hermano Pedro. The schedule is packed with community events, including queen selection galas for children and adults on the 16th and 17th, and an 80s-themed music night on Friday the 18th featuring various bands and DJs.
The religious celebrations reach their peak over the weekend of the 19th and 20th. On Saturday the 19th, a liturgy honoring the patron saint will be followed by a procession, fireworks, and an open-air dance. On Sunday the 20th, the Romería Barquera will feature a mass and a charitable offering for Cáritas. The highlight will be the transfer of the Virgin to the sea for a journey through the bay, accompanied by the Dancers of El Hierro, the Fanfare of Puerto de la Cruz, and other folk groups.
The program also includes dedicated events for all ages, such as a youth party on the 13th and a gathering for seniors on Tuesday the 15th. The festivities will officially conclude on Thursday, September 24—the patron saint’s feast day—with a solemn mass, a candlelight procession, and a community chocolate gathering. These events highlight the importance of preserving local maritime customs, which remain a vital part of El Médano’s cultural identity every September.