Cultural Exchange
Cultural Events
JANUARY
• Three Kings Day — Festive Tradition and Community Celebration
Three Kings Day offers Erasmus+ participants the opportunity to experience one of the most joyful and deeply rooted celebrations in Tenerife. Every year on the evening of 5 January, towns and cities across the island celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings with colourful parades, music, costumes, lights, and a festive atmosphere shared by local families and communities.
During the celebration, participants can observe an important part of Spanish and Canarian cultural life. The Cabalgata de Reyes brings the streets to life and marks the traditional arrival of the Magi before Three Kings Day on 6 January, when many families exchange gifts and continue the celebration at home.
The experience also introduces participants to local festive traditions, including seasonal sweets such as Roscón de Reyes, as well as the strong community spirit that surrounds this special time of year. It is a chance to understand how folklore, religion, family traditions, and public celebration come together in everyday local culture.
For Erasmus+ participants, the Three Kings Parade is a valuable example of living heritage, cultural identity, and community participation in Tenerife.
FEBRUARY
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the second largest carnival in the world, after Rio de Janeiro, and one of Europe's most spectacular celebrations. As Tenerife's most international festival, it is deeply rooted in the island's identity, bringing together music, dance, colourful costumes, and artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 1980, the Carnival attracts thousands of performers and visitors from around the world. In 1987, it entered the Guinness World Records when more than 200,000 people gathered for an open-air dance concert featuring the legendary Celia Cruz.
For Erasmus participants, the Carnival offers a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant culture, creativity, and festive spirit that make Tenerife one of Europe's most distinctive cultural destinations.
JUNE
• Corpus Christi in La Orotava
During Erasmus+ mobility in Tenerife, EduCanary participants may have the opportunity to experience one of the island’s most unique cultural traditions: the Corpus Christi carpets in La Orotava.
For this celebration, the historic centre of La Orotava is transformed into a temporary open-air art gallery. Local residents and artists create detailed carpets and tapestries using flowers and volcanic sand from Mount Teide, covering the streets along the procession route. The most impressive piece is the large mural in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, considered one of the most spectacular examples of this tradition.
Erasmus+ participants can see the preparation and creation of these carpets only if their mobility takes place in the second half of May or at the beginning of June, depending on the annual Corpus Christi dates.
For participants, this event is a special way to understand local identity, teamwork, creativity, religious tradition, and the connection between culture and the volcanic landscape of Tenerife.
Note: The island of Tenerife offers a wide variety of events throughout the year. You can explore the full calendar using the links below. If any of the events coincide with your visit, we will be delighted to help you include them in your programme.
