The 544th Major Festivals of Santiago de Gáldar reach their peak this Saturday with the celebration of its Traditional Pilgrimage and Offering to Señor Santiago de Los Caballeros. Residents and neighborhoods of the municipality are preparing their floats and offerings to honor the Patron Saint, in an event marked by the participation of numerous musical groups and folklore ensembles accompanying the procession.
The Culture and Festivals Department of the Gáldar City Council encourages attendees to participate by wearing traditional attire to preserve the essence of Canarian customs, a distinctive feature of this pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage will commence at 5:00 PM with the meeting of the Gáldar Municipal Corporation, led by Mayor Teodoro Sosa, with the Corporation from the sister municipality of Guía at the Becerril Roundabout. The official route will begin at 5:30 PM from Bajada de las Guayarminas, proceeding along Calle Capitán Quesada towards Plaza de Santiago. The municipal corporations will be accompanied by the Guayarmina and Bentejuí of the 2026 Major Festivals of Santiago, Aitana Rodríguez and Edgar Bolaños, along with their Court of Tenesoyas.
Upon arrival at the Plaza, the Sanctuary's rector, Manuel Reyes Brito, will open the doors of the Sanctuary Temple of Gáldar. The day will conclude with the Baile de Taifa on the Plaza de Santiago stage and performances by DJ Promaster and Aythami DJ.
The week preceding the pilgrimage was marked by the folklore week, featuring festivals and musical events focused on Canarian tradition and music. On Tuesday, July 14th, the Cantares de Gáldar Festival included the Farallón de Tabata Group and the Manantial del Real Folklore Group. On Wednesday, the X Children's Folklore Festival “Gáldar Uniendo Orillas” was held by the Harimaguadas Folklore Group.
On Thursday, July 16th, the Fiestas de Santiago Festival featured the Surco y Arado Folklore Group and the El Limonar Folklore Group (Murcia). The folklore week concluded with the Noche de Folías and the Facaracas Musical Group.
The complete program of events, schedules, and locations is available at galdar.es and @ayuntamientodegaldar.
