The city of Gáldar is immersed in the grand week of its 544th Santiago Major Festivals. The program includes emblematic events such as the Fire Horses and the Announcer Volcano, a concert by the Municipal Music Band, the Grand Float Parade, the Santiago Rama Descent, the Procession, the Battle of Flowers, and a diverse range of concerts.
This Wednesday, July 22nd, starting at 9:00 PM, the Dances and Zambras of the Giants and Fire Horses of Santiago will take place, an event that revives tradition and has been consolidated over the past eleven years. At 11:00 PM, the Traditional Announcer Volcano, one of the most representative images of the festivals, will be presented. The night will conclude with the show “Cambio de Piel,” a tribute to Marc Anthony in the Plaza de Santiago at 11:15 PM.
On Thursday, July 23rd, the Municipal Music Band of the Royal City of Gáldar will perform an Extraordinary Concert at 9:00 PM in the Plaza de Santiago. Following this, at 11:30 PM, the Grand Float Parade will commence, parading through the main streets of the historic center accompanied by music bands.
On Friday, July 24th, the city will celebrate the Santiago Rama Descent. Branches can be collected at 5:00 PM in the Plaza del Calvario before starting the procession towards the street of Santiago de Los Caballeros, accompanied by the papagüevos and the Archipiélago and Guayedra bands. In the evening, the La Quinta Cultural Venue will host a concert by artist Adrián Vega, known as El Vega Life, along with Monzón and Íñigo Quintero (free entry until capacity is reached) starting at 8:30 PM. At 10:00 PM, the same venue will feature a drone show. In the Plaza de Santiago, at 10:00 PM, there will be a tribute concert to La Oreja de Van Gogh with La Otra Oreja, followed by a street party with orchestras Armonía Show and La Combinación, and Aythami DJ at 11:30 PM. Midnight will be marked by an audiovisual show and fireworks display in front of the Church.
On Saturday, July 25th, the Feast Day of Santiago de los Caballeros, the day will begin with the Pilgrims' Mass and the Civic Procession with the Transfer of the Royal Standard at 11:40 AM, attended by the Municipal Corporation. At 12:00 PM, the Bishop of the Canary Islands, Don José Mazuelos Pérez, will preside over the Solemn Eucharist in Honor of Santiago Apóstol, followed by the Procession of Santiago de Los Caballeros through the historic center at 1:00 PM. In the afternoon, starting at 7:00 PM, the highly anticipated Battle of Flowers will take place near the Plaza de Santiago. At 9:00 PM, the La Quinta stage will host a concert by artist Merche, and at 11:30 PM, the street party in the Plaza de Santiago will feature orchestras Panamaribe and Star Music.
Sunday, July 26th, the Feast Day of Santa Ana, will be dedicated to children with the Children's Play Park in the Plaza de Santiago and Calle Guanarteme (11:00 AM to 7:00 PM), featuring bouncy castles, workshops, shows, and games. The plaza stage will host the children's show “Karcocha” at 12:00 PM and the Grand Finale of the Festivals with the group Hierba Nueva at 1:30 PM.
The festivals will conclude with a concert by the duo Camela, as part of their “+de 30” tour, presenting hits like “Nunca debí enamorarme” and “Lágrimas de amor”. Tickets are available at entradas.galdar.es.
The grand week kicked off on Monday with street performances at 6:00 PM along Calle Capitán Quesada and the children's show “Cantilandia” at 8:00 PM in the Plaza de Santiago. On Tuesday, the Plaza de Santiago will host the 25th-anniversary tour show of the group Alma de Bolero at 9:00 PM.
The 544th Santiago Major Festivals are organized by the Culture and Festivals department of the Gáldar City Council, headed by the first deputy mayor Julio Mateo Castillo. The complete program of times and locations is available at galdar.es and @ayuntamientodegaldar.
