Festivals in Santa Cruz de La Palma

Local festivals and other highly sought-after information about Santa Cruz de La Palma

The most unique celebration of Santa Cruz de La Palma is the Lustral Festivities of the Descent of the Virgin of the Snows, which take place every five years between June and August. The official 2025 edition included acts such as the Descent of the Throne, The Pandorga, the Minuet, the Acrobats, the Dance of the Dwarves, the Allegorical and Triumphal Chariot, the Triumphal Entry and the Rise of the Virgin.

• Name of the municipality's festivities: Lustral Festivals of the Descent of the Virgin of the Snows, Carnival of Santa Cruz de La Palma with Los Indianos, May Crosses and festival of Our Lady of Carmen.
• Main celebration day: in the Descent, the 5 August It is the name day of Our Lady of the Snows and a reference to the Rise of the Virgin; in 2026 local public holidays are the 17 February, Shrove Tuesday, and 16 July, Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
• Usual duration: The Bajada is celebrated every five years for several weeks, between June and August; The Carnival is concentrated in February; The May Crosses are celebrated around 3 May; and the Virgin of Carmen is linked to 16 July.
• Usual places: Calle Real, Plaza de España, Mother Church of El Salvador, Castillo de la Virgen, Royal Sanctuary of Las Nieves, central area of the Bajada, port, neighbourhoods and other spaces in the urban area.
• Associated traditions: Dance of the Dwarves, Pandorga, Minuet, Allegorical and Triumphal Carriage, pilgrimages, religious events, processions, bowed crosses, music, parades, cavalcades, sailor events and Carnival celebrations.
• Who participates: City Council, Local Autonomous Organisation of the Bajada de la Virgen, parishes, cultural groups, troupes, musicians, dance groups, associations, neighbors, families and visitors.
• Local public holiday: The Official Gazette of the Canary Islands establishes for Santa Cruz de La Palma in 2026 the 17 February, Shrove Tuesday, and 16 July, Festival of Our Lady of Carmen, as well as local work festivals.
• Other cultural events: Christmas, Easter, Three Kings Parade, Corsair Day, municipal cultural programming and agenda of the Teatro Circo de Marte.
• Otras ofertas culturales: Calle Real, Insular Museum of La Palma, Naval Museum of the Ship of the Virgin, Town Hall, Plaza de España, Church of San Francisco de Asís, Castle of Santa Catalina, Balcones of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Casa Salazar, Mother Church of El Salvador and Royal Sanctuary of Las Nieves.

The official website of the Descent of the Virgin of the Snows details the lustral character of the festival and its main acts. For schedules, routes, programmes and traffic cuts, it is advisable to consult the updated municipal programming for each edition.