Granadilla de Abona Celebrates 48th Annual Saint Anthony Pilgrimage

Granadilla de Abona is celebrating the 48th annual pilgrimage in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua this weekend. More than just a religious event, the festival serves as a vital boost to the local economy and a celebration of the cultural heritage of southern Tenerife.

The main festivities take place this Sunday. Following a 12:00 p.m. mass at the main church featuring the Parranda Chasnera, a grand procession will begin at 1:30 p.m. The parade will include roughly twenty floats, dozens of carts, the traditional Tegueste boat, and 18 folk groups. The event concludes at Los Hinojeros Park with performances by the orchestras Amanecer de La Gomera, Wamampy, Tropin, and Acapulco. In a charitable spirit, all offerings collected for the patron saint will be donated to the local Parish Caritas.

Running alongside the pilgrimage is the 36th Canary Islands Craft and Gastronomy Fair, located in the Town Hall square and on Arquitecto Marrero Street. Now recognized as an island-wide event, the fair features nearly twenty exhibitors showcasing traditional crafts like pottery, pyrography, and Canarian openwork, alongside modern jewelry, cosmetics, and local food products. On Saturday, the municipality honored master potter José Manuel González González with the "Granadilla Artesana" award to celebrate his contributions to the craft sector.

The weekend’s diverse program also includes the 21st Island Meeting of the "Juego del Palo" (stick fighting), the 1st Francisco Suárez Veterans Memorial, and various cultural workshops. The municipality has also made an effort to engage younger residents with the "Ey Bro" festival, which featured a lineup of contemporary artists, successfully bridging the gap between traditional roots and modern entertainment.