Every 15th of August, the people render homage to the Virgin of Candelaria, the Patron of the Canary Islands since 1867.

The Virgin lends her name to the village where she resides, Candalaria in eastern Tenerife; the destination of pilgrims who arrive en masse to offer their harvest to the Patron.

Corpus Christi is celebrated on the first Thursday following the completion of Lent, (40 days after Ash Wednesday).

Although this is not a holiday exclusive to the Canaries, the colourful carpets made of salt, flowers and volcanic earth that are displayed in the main streets of La Orotaya make it one of the most attractive celebrations without equal in the archipelago.

After filling the outline designed in salt - dyed different colours - with flower petals and volcanic earth, the carpet is prepared to welcome the Corpus Christi procession.

Celebrated in honour of San Marcos on the Sunday closest to April 25th, the pilgrimage in Tegueste is the most important on the island and the one that demonstrates the greatest affinity to the values of the country.

The most outstanding feature is the carts which are elaborately constructed and minutely adorned with seeds and other natural products. Boats are also decorated and used to carry offerings.

The festivities in Tegueste conclude with the burning of the "idler" (haragán), a effigy made of straw and old clothes that represents some public figure, which is then set on fire to the cries of insults and complaints.