If you thought Phe Festival was just about turning up in Puerto de la Cruz and listening to music, think again.
This year’s festival, taking place on 4 and 5 September, is adding a few extra bits to the programme, including yoga, Tenerife wine, wellbeing activities and even free visits to the Teide Observatory.
Not a bad way to spend a few days, really.
More than just the music
The expanded programme is called PheXperiences, and the idea is to give people something to do beyond the main festival performances.
One of the highlights is the seventh edition of Phe Yoga, taking place on 5 September from 10am until 2pm.
The programme includes an Ashtanga session at 10am, followed by a workshop on alignment and technique at 11am. At midday, there’s the rather more energetic sounding Black Lotus class, before the day finishes with Yin Yoga at 1pm, accompanied by singing bowls and gongs.
Whether the gongs leave you feeling enlightened or just ready for a nap afterwards remains to be seen.
Places need to be booked in advance.
There will also be a podcast recording focusing on nutrition and wellbeing, hosted by Santi Estévez and featuring a number of specialists.
Tenerife wine gets involved
The festival’s Phe Wine initiative will bring a selection of local wines to the Wine Garden during the concert days.
Wineries including Arautava, Suertes del Marqués and López Palacios will be taking part, giving festival-goers the chance to sample some Tenerife wine alongside the music.
There’s also a separate interactive wine tasting and bottle customisation workshop planned for 2 September at 7.30pm at Barrica de Los Momentos in Puerto de la Cruz.
Again, you’ll need to register beforehand.
A trip to the Teide Observatory
Perhaps the most interesting addition is the opportunity to visit the Teide Observatory.
Guided tours will take place on the mornings of 31 August, 2 September and 3 September, starting at 10am. Each visit lasts around 90 minutes and gives visitors a look at the facilities and some of the research being carried out there.
The visits are free, but access is limited to festival ticket holders, who will also need to reserve a free invitation.
Children under eight aren’t recommended for the activity.
The festival has also picked up a new sustainability certification from A Greener Future, a UK organisation that assesses the environmental impact of cultural events.
So, if you’re heading to Puerto de la Cruz for Phe Festival this year, there is plenty going on besides the music. You can stretch, drink Tenerife wine, learn something about nutrition and wellbeing, and have a look around one of the island’s most impressive scientific facilities.
That’s quite a packed schedule for a music festival.