La Laguna marks the main day of its September festivities in honour of the Blessed Christ, with a full programme of religious, institutional and traditional events taking place across the historic city centre.
The main ceremonies begin at 10:00am with the civic-military procession leaving the Town Hall and making its way to the Cathedral.
The procession carries the Royal Banner of the Island of Tenerife, with civil and military authorities taking part.
A Royal tradition going back centuries
At 10:45am, the Cathedral welcomes the official delegation representing His Majesty King Felipe VI, this year represented by Fernando Clavijo Batlle, President of the Canary Islands Government.
During the ceremony, the Silver Staff of the Royal and Venerable Brotherhood is formally presented by its Major Slave.
The ceremony is followed by the solemn midday service and the traditional procession returning the image of Christ from the Cathedral to its Royal Sanctuary.
The morning programme concludes with the Royal Banner returning to the Town Hall.
The banner has a particularly important place in La Laguna’s history. It has been used during major institutional ceremonies and royal proclamations in the city, dating back to the reign of Charles I in 1516 and continuing through to Queen Isabel II in 1833.
Given La Laguna’s former status as the island’s capital, its importance goes well beyond simply being a ceremonial flag.
The evening procession
The celebrations continue at 7:00pm with another religious service at the Church of Christ, featuring the Achamán musical group.
After the service, the crucified image of Christ heads out through the main streets of La Laguna in the traditional evening procession.
The route includes a stop at Plaza de la Concepción, where fireworks will form part of the evening celebrations, before the image returns to its sanctuary.
The Fuegos del Risco
The big finale comes at 11:00pm with the famous Fuegos del Risco.
The fireworks are one of the most recognisable parts of La Laguna’s Grand Day and attract large crowds every year.
For anyone heading into the city, it is one of those Tenerife evenings where the atmosphere is almost as much a part of the event as the fireworks themselves.