Gáldar are celebrating their main fiesta for the town, in honour of their patron saint, the Fiestas de Santiago de los Caballeros, honouring St James of the Knights during the month of July. Main events between 1 – 25 July 2025.
The program includes, among many other treats, many traditional and popular events such as a Romería pilgrimage, the battle of flowers, La Rama, the night of fireworks, a concert by the municipal band, the main procession, “fire horses”, a cattle fair, a horse race and the election of Guayarmina and Bentejuí (Canario Princess & Warrior Prince) all celebrated in a traditional manner. The festivities of this edition will be the first to be celebrated with the Temple of Santiago declared Diocesan Shrine and, as every year, they will focus on the cultural heritage that continues to improve and expand year after year.
The town, formerly known as Agáldar, was the original seat of several social and political institutions, and the main settlement of the territory’s nobles of the island, before its annexation by the Crowns of Castile & Aragon, at the end of the 15th century.
Because the leaders were recognised as Kings of the Canary Islands by the Catholic Monarchs, Agáldar was tacitly acknowledged as the Pre-Hispanic royal capital and as birthplace and court of the governing dynasty on the island, who capitulated to the Spanish following the conversion of their last true king, Tenesor Semidán, who then took the name Fernando Guanartemé, urging collaboration with the invaders, it is thought, in an attempt to avoid annihilation of his entire people.
The catholic colonisers asserted their military patron saint, Santiago, on the town, and built a church in his name.
See the full program in Spanish HERE!
• The Dance and Zambra of the Giants and Fire Horses and the 60th anniversary of the Papal Bull granted to the city mark a program with nearly 80 cultural, sporting, and religious events.
•The 543rd Major Festival of Santiago de Gáldar festivities are marked by two important anniversaries: the tenth anniversary of the revival of the Dance and Zambra of the Giants and Fire Horses of Gáldar and the 60th anniversary of the Papal Bull with which the Vatican recognized Gáldar as the first Jacobean venue outside of Europe.
Highlights:
Tuesday 1 July:
19:30 The starting gun is fired with the transfer of the flag for the month of Santiago and hoisting it on the Holy Year Flagpole
Friday 4 July:
20:30 ‘Voces de Gáldar’ in Plaza de Santiago
Sunday 6 July:
from 10:00 the Onion Festival in the Piso Firme neighbourhood
19:45 the Sports Gala in Plaza de Santiago.
Friday 11 July:
20:00 The opening speech for the 2025 Santiago de los Caballeros Festival, which this year will be given by Mari Naty Saavedra, Gold Medal of the Royal City of Gáldar in the Town Hall Theater.
Saturday, 12 July
21:00 The election of Bentejui and Guayarmina and her court of Tenesoyas in Plaza de Santiago, with a performance by Xriz, followed by La Noche Joven with Jhay P. and Shakira Martínez
Sunday, 13 July
Strating from 09:00 the Huertas del Rey Fairgrounds will become the venue for the Livestock Fair
8-11 July:
Folklore week in Plaza de Santiago, the epicentre of the most traditional music
Friday 18 July:
21:00 Los Sabandeños Concert in the Plaza de Santiago will kick off one of the most anticipated weekends
Saturday 19 July
17:30 the Traditional Pilgrimage of Offering to Lord Santiago de los Caballeros 2025, which will depart from the Paseo de Los Guanartemes.
Tuesday 22 July
The most anticipated week begins: the most important days in honour of Santiago.
21:00 The traditional date begins with the Parade, Dance, and Zambra of the Giants and Fire Horses
23:00 The Traditional Volcano Announcing the Santiago Festival
Wednesday 23 July
21:00 The Extraordinary Concert by the Municipal Music Band of the Royal City of Gáldar in Plaza de Santiago will precede the Grand Parade of Floats, accompanied by marching bands, which will tour the historic centre starting at 22:30
On Thursday, July 24th, at 5:00 p.m., the Santiago Branch Descent will take place from the Plaza de la Montaña and will tour the entire city. From there, there will be music and entertainment: a concert by Mozart La Para and Kevin Roldán and a Drone Show at the La Quinta Cultural Center, a Morochos concert in the Plaza de Santiago, and an Audiovisual Show and Grand Fireworks Display at midnight in the historic center of Gáldar.
On Friday, July 25th, the Feast of Santiago de los Caballeros, which will feature the Civic Procession with the transfer of the Royal Banner under Maces, the Solemn Eucharist in Honor of Saint James the Apostle, and the Procession of Santiago de los Caballeros, it’s time for another of the most beloved events, the Battle of Flowers, at 7:00 PM near Plaza de Santiago. It will end in style with a concert by Álex Ubago at the La Quinta Cultural Center at 9:00 PM, with free admission until capacity is reached. On Saturday, the program of the 543rd Fiestas Mayores de Santiago de Gáldar concludes with a concert by El Arrebato. It will take place at 9:00 PM at the La Quinta Cultural Center, with tickets available from 10 euros at entradas.galdar.es
That same day, the Feast of Saint Anne, co-patron saint of Gáldar, the traditional Children’s Play Park opens to Plaza de Santiago, featuring bouncy castles, workshops, games, and much more, all for the enjoyment of the little ones, starting at 11:00
