​The Canary Islands archipelago comprise the eight main islands of Tenerife, the largest, followed by Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa the smallest.

La Palma

The Day of the Corsair, in La Palma, commemorates the expulsion of François Le Clerc – known as the fearsome Pata de Palo, who besieged and destroyed Santa Cruz de La Palma in 1553.

Every August, the inhabitants of La Palma gather in the streets of the capital to recreate the scene.

Every summer in Mazo in La Palma there are festivals that let revellers get to 'relive' the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Tenerife

Tenerife stages special historical celebrations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife each July.

These commemorate Spanish troops confronting Horacio Nelson and the British army.

In the same place where more than 224 years ago the British admiral lost his arm, there is a historical show in the surroundings of the Castillo de San Juan Bautista.

In Tenerife's Valle de Guerra Livery, traditional theatrical performances are staged every 7 October 7 in honour of the Virgen del Rosario, and which commemorate the victory of the Holy League over the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto (1571).

La Gomera

The islands saw Christopher Columbus leave from the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera to the New World in 1492.

This event is celebrated each September as part of the Columbus Festivals include exhibitions, concerts, conferences, plays, and sporting events that commemorate this historic expedition.

The archipelago commemorates and celebrates its history through a number of key events and festivals

Gran Canaria

In June, during the Naval Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island celebrates the expulsion of 8,000 pirates and 70 ships led by the Dutch admiral and corsair, Pieter van der Does.

The fleet came to conquer the entire archipelago in 1599.

The siege and reconquest of the city is represented with a mystical performance held in the historic surroundings of Castillo de Mata, which bore witness to the last great battle.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura was desired by British army pirates, who were expelled by the Majoreros after the battles of El Cuchillete and Tamasite in 1740.

During the conflict in the town of Tuineje the local people defeated the English corsairs armed merely with sticks and stones.

The town commemorates these events every October, with historical re-enactments during the Fiestas de San Miguel.

El Hierro

The Carneros de Tigada, held in the municipality of Frontera, in El Hierro, takes place on Carnival Sunday and Tuesday with the parade of people disguised with ram's antlers and cowbells tied to the waist.

Participants faces, legs and arms are decorated in a manner designed to provoke laughter and amusement from the crowds.

Useful links

​ www.hellocanaryislands.com