Fiesta de la Rama – Agaete

One of the major symbols of identity of the island of Gran Canaria is, without doubt, la Fiesta de La Rama in Agaete, on the north of the island. This is the main fiesta for the town in honour of Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), which was declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest in 1972.

On August 5, the main festival of the Villa is celebrated in honor of Our Lady of the Snows, whose image is found in the hermitage located in Puerto de las Nieves. The image is there all year round, except for the days between August 5 and 17, when it remains in the Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, in the town center. On August 4, the Bajada de la Rama takes place, the most popular festive event of these festivities, where thousands of dancers, to the rhythm of one of the two municipal bands, leave from the center of town to the upper part of it to catch pieces of Rama and dance down with them to the sanctuary of the Virgen de las Nieves. The festive procession is headed by some big-headed or papagüevos, made of cardboard and representing popular characters of the town, who, turning with their large hands, beat the crowd, making their way through it.