If you’ve spent any time in La Laguna around May, you’ll know this isn’t just another event.
It’s one of those traditions that’s been going on for centuries… and somehow still feels properly local.
This year, they’re expecting around 65 crosses, which tells you everything you need to know. It’s not fading away… it’s growing.
A Tradition That’s Still Alive
The May Crosses have been part of La Laguna since the 1500s.
Homes, chapels, little corners of the city… all decorated, all opened up, all part of the route.
And it’s not organised in a polished, overdone way.
It works because people still care enough to keep doing it.
The Poster This Year
They’ve gone with a proper traditional feel.
The artwork, done by local artist Isabel González, focuses on one of the more historic crosses from the Jesús Nazareno brotherhood.
Bright, colourful… exactly what you’d expect for this time of year.
What’s Happening
Things get going before May itself:
- April 24 – Opening speech at Casino de La Laguna
- May 1 – Crosses start opening to the public
- May 2 – Live concert in Plaza de la Catedral
- May 3 – Main day, with the usual routes and atmosphere around the city
The concert on the 2nd is a nice addition… mixing Canarian and Latin American sounds, which fits the whole feel of the event.
The Day Itself
May 3 is when it all comes together.
You’ve got people moving around the city, visiting crosses, stopping for a drink, chatting… it’s more of a slow wander than a structured event.
The parade from La Concepción over to El Cristo is part of it too… but most people just enjoy the atmosphere.
Worth Going?
If you’re expecting something big and commercial… this isn’t that.
But if you want to see a bit of Tenerife that hasn’t been overly polished or packaged… this is exactly it.
It’s simple, local, and still done for the right reasons.
And that’s probably why it’s lasted this long.