San Cristóbal de La Laguna welcomes the San Benito Abad Festivities, a celebration with deep roots and tradition in the municipality. In 2026, the city will host an extensive program of events with more than 40 activities for all ages.
This year, the island of Tenerife is the focus of the festivities, with a notable presence of its folklore and traditions over the next two weeks. The official program launch took place at the former convent of Santo Domingo, with the participation of Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, Festival Councilor Dailos González, and researcher Julio Torres.
Luis Yeray Gutiérrez highlighted the excitement for these festivities, which recall the island's agricultural and livestock traditions and the legacy passed down to youth, emphasizing the municipality's dual rural and urban character. The Regional Romeria on July 12th, the only one in the Canary Islands with this title, will pay special tribute to the image of San Cristóbal, the town's patron saint, who will join the procession.
The mayor announced that the romeria will feature nearly 40 groups and around 80 carts, surpassing previous editions. Additionally, over 650 tables are planned for the Baile de Magos (Dance of the Wizards) on Friday, July 10th.
Dailos González, Festival Councilor, emphasized that these celebrations, marking their 80th anniversary, honor roots and fill the city streets with identity, tradition, and collective spirit. The special tribute to Tenerife strengthens ties with the rest of the island, consolidating the event as one of the archipelago's most important manifestations.
The opening speech, delivered by Chago Melián on Wednesday, July 1st, will mark the official start. Other highlights include the election galas for Romera Mayor, Junior Romera Mayor, and Senior Romera Mayor, to be held this weekend at the Teatro Leal.
On July 9th, the group Achamán will celebrate its 50th anniversary. The following day, the grand Baile de Magos will fill the historic center with music and traditional costumes. On Saturday the 11th, the Children's Baile de Magos will take place, followed by the traditional romeria stroll for seniors, and the 8 Islas Festival, bringing together artists from Canarian popular culture.
Julio Torres, designer of the program and official poster, thanked the City Council for their trust. The poster recreates the 1905 procession, reviving a curious episode of local devotion to the saint's image when his hermitage was temporarily ceded to the Army.
The official program also references historical documents from 1635 in the Municipal Archive of La Laguna, indicating the participation of dancers to the sound of drums in festive events of that era.
