Events and fiestas on Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura is often referred to as La Isla Tranquila, however we have found that there is always something happening on the island, with sporting events, market fairs, fiestas and general getting togetherness. Here you can find information and photographs on all the events we have covered so far.

For a list of forthcoming events , follow this link. If you know of anything we should add, please let us know.

Sporting events

There are lots of sporting events that happen throughout the year, and here is a summary:

CD Corralejo football team play their home games, every other weekend, at the Vincente Careno ground on the south side of the town. They play in the Spanish Third Division - Group 12 (Canary Islands). Admission is 5 euros for adults and free for children.

Union Puerto del Rosario football team play their home games, every other weekend, at the Los Pozos ground on the south side of Puerto del Rosario. They play in the Preferente Division (Canary Islands) Group 1. Admission is 4 euros for adults and free for children.

Motocross meetings are held at the Puerto del Rosario circuit and the Los Alares circuit (8km south of Caleta de Fuste) at various times during the year.

Car Rallies take place during the year, either on dirt track circuits or around the municipalities of the island. They are usually linked to the main Fiesta in the municipality ie in La Oliva, Puerto del Rosario, Antigua, Tuineje and Pajara.

There are cycling events that happen during the year including Fuerte-Bike (usually in February), an 85km mountain bike event that starts and finishes in Corralejo; Marcha Cicloturista (usually in December), a 5okm cycle route that starts and finishes in Corralejo, which raises Cancer Awareness; and the Fundenas(usually at the end of October, over 2 days) which is a 188 km ride for around 800 cyclists from Corralejo to Morro Jable, with 90% of it being off-road.

A relatively new event is the Corralejo Dunes Half Marathon, held on the last weekend of October, with the majority of it being on the sand!

A weekend in March or April is the time for the Sports Fair, which is organised by the island council(Cabildo) and features most of the sports that are available on the island. It is very popular with locals and torists as it´s possible to try different sports and activities for free. It´s a fun atmosphere with the opportunity to try a range of sports from chess to bungee jumping!

Swimming events are also popular. In October there is the Bocaina Crossing, which is a 15 km swim from Playa Blanca on Lanzarote to Corralejo on Fuerteventura. On the same weekend is the 3.5 km swim the the Isla de Lobos to Corralejo.

Fiestas

There are Fiestas in all the towns and villages of Fuerteventura throughout the year. Each town or village has it´s local saint, and in the days leading up to the main saints day, there will be a variety of different events organised. These will include sporting events,traditional singing and dancing, and one or two all night open air dances which are called Verbenas. They start at around midnight and feature groups who perform throughout the night. On the actual Saints Day there will be a religious procession and Eucharist at the church. The last night will feature a firework display at around midnight. A Fiesta is a time to eat, drink and be merry!

We have covered some in Corrralejo and Puerto del Rosario, see the links for details.

Markets, Fairs and Celebrations

Besides the regular weekly markets thet are held at Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma and Morro Jable, there are various fairs and other social gatherings, throughout the year.

The biggest island wide event is the Antigua Craft Fair (Feria de Artisana) which is held over the second weekend in May. Crafts people from the other Canary Islands and some from mainland Spain, have stalls at the Fair to demonstrate and sell their homemade goods. It´s attended by thousands of locals and visitors. It´s a free event.

 

Carnivals

During February and March it is the Carnival season on the island. Carnival events are held in Morro Jable, Gran Tarajal, Betancuria, Antigua, Caleta de Fuste, Puerto del Rosario and Corralejo.

Carnival events include singing and dancing competitions, local Murga groups singing satirical songs, Drag Queen Competitions, and any other event that is fun and unusual. In Puerto del Rosariothis includes a homemade car race and a raft race (Archipencos)from the Harbour to Playa Chica. Carnival events last several days, and usually on a Saturday evening, it is the Grand Carnival Parade. Hundreds of people dress in fancy dress through the towns, either as individuals or on floats or other vehicles. A parade is a colourful and noisey affair, where the food and drink flows! At the end of the Carnival there is a big firework display, and a traditional burning of a sardine.

 

The announced Carnivals for 2012 are:

 

Corralejo 8 - 18 March. The theme is Musicals with the parade on Saturday 17 March.

Antigua 9 - 14 February. The theme is The Caribbean.

Caleta de Fuste 17 - 19 February. The theme is The Caribbean.

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Football, only one of the sporting events held here regularly. Traditional Spanish dancing New year in Puerto del Rosario Celebrating the opening of the new salt museum