Fiestas de Mayo: Dancing, Food, and Sustainable Celebrations in Tenerife and La Gomera

Fiestas de Mayo: Where Culture, Cuisine, and Sustainability Converge

May in Tenerife and La Gomera is not just another month—it’s an open-air celebration of tradition, community, and conscious living. The Fiestas de Mayo bring together age-old customs, vibrant street life, and evolving eco-friendly values, especially in Santa Cruz and in the south, especially in Arona, in villages such as Valle de San Lorenzo.At Cactus Coliving, we see this season as the perfect time for digital nomads and remote workers to tap into the island’s cultural heartbeat while staying aligned with sustainable, mindful living. Whether you're here for a few weeks or several months, these festivities offer something more than entertainment—they invite you to belong.

Cultural Rhythms: Dancing with Tradition

Rooted in Tenerife’s agricultural and religious history, the Fiestas de Mayo are a vibrant homage to identity and heritage. Across the island, towns like La Orotava, La Laguna, and Valle San Lorenzo burst into life with parades, music, and traditional attire. It’s not about spectacle—it’s about living history.

• Baile de Magos: A beloved local tradition where neighbors gather in the village square dressed in trajes de mago, the Canarian folk costume. Families bring homemade Canarian dishes to share at long communal tables, turning the square into a festive dining hall. As the night unfolds, people dance and sing to the rhythm of the tajaraste, accompanied by the timple, chácaras, and drums—a true celebration of community and culture.
• Romerías: Pilgrimages like the Romería de San Isidro in Los Realejos feature over 100 ox-drawn carts decorated with fruits, flowers, and artisanal goods. The parades end in a festive gathering where everyone eats, drinks, sings, and shares.
• Corpus Christi: Though not technically part of the Fiestas de Mayo, the Corpus Christi celebration in La Laguna is a stunning follow-up event worth experiencing in late spring. Streets are covered with exquisite floral carpets—a tradition that combines artistry with devotion, dating back to the 1800s.
• Día de Canarias – May 30th: This official holiday celebrates Canarian culture and identity across the islands. In San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital of the island, the celebration goes beyond just one day. Locals enjoy a full week of festivities, including live performances by parrandas (Canarian folk bands), exhibitions on traditional Gomeran dress, theatrical shows, and cultural workshops hosted in the local farmer’s market. It’s a vibrant expression of pride and community that brings everyone together.

At Cactus Coliving, we help you experience these traditions more deeply. Our Dance & Culture Workshops prepare you with the steps, symbols, and context behind each event. You can learn to braid palm leaves for processions, understand the symbolism of the costumes, you may even get the chance to join the parades as a participant, not just a viewer.
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Culinary Traditions: Farm-to-Table with Heart

No Canarian celebration is complete without food. During May, culinary traditions take center stage, inviting you to taste the essence of the island through every bite. Whether you’re enjoying street-side food or sitting around neighbours at Baile de Magos, the ingredients of the season—local, organic, often grown just kilometers away—tell their own story.

Some must-try dishes include the iconic papas arrugadas with mojo picón and mojo verde, the hearty conejo en salmorejo (rabbit in a garlic and wine marinade), and the sweet and gofio amasado con miel de palma. We also invite our colivers to visit every week the farmers market in Valle de San Lorenzo and in La Gomera, where colivers meet local producers, taste artisanal cheeses like queso de flor, and discover island-grown specialties like plátanos de Canarias and gofio.

Back home, our community dinners took on a Canarian twist this month, with our community managers and hosts leading the way in each location. From traditional dishes to local flavors, we gave a Canarian touch to almost every family meal, creating a warm, homey atmosphere that brought everyone together around the table.

Sustainable Celebrations: Green is the New Festive

In Tenerife, a new way of celebrating is taking root—one that blends tradition with sustainability. While many official events are beginning to adopt greener practices, at Cactus Coliving we go a step further, making eco-conscious living an integral part of how we gather and celebrate.

• The real Canarian essence: This month, our hosts and community managers went the extra mile to help our guests experience the islands like locals. They organized activities in off-the-beaten-path areas—places tourists rarely reach—and shared their best-kept secrets, like dining at traditional guachinches instead of mainstream international restaurants. It’s all about authentic, local flavor—both in food and experience.
• Leading by Example: At Cactus Coliving, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s at the heart of everything we do. Our seasonal events feature recycled and reusable decorations, low-waste catering, and thoughtful touches that minimize our environmental impact while maximizing community spirit.
• Keeping It Local and Conscious: We prioritize locally sourced materials and collaborate with nearby farmers, artisans and food producers whenever possible. By supporting local businesses and reducing transport emissions, we celebrate in a way that feels both joyful and grounded.

Sustainability here isn’t a trend—it’s a shared commitment. And when you celebrate with us, you become part of that intention.

Balancing Remote Work and Celebration

We know many of our guests come to Canary islands to work remotely—and we’ve crafted a rhythm that supports both deep focus and local immersion. Mornings at Cactus Coliving La Gomera and Tenerife are perfect for productivity. Our ergonomic coworking spaces feature 4K monitors, fast and stable Wi-Fi (over 400 Mbps), private meeting rooms, and plenty of natural light.

Lunch break: In La Gomera, colivers often take their mid-day break to the next level. Just five minutes from the coliving, a quick swim in the ocean is the perfect reset—helping everyone recharge and return to work in the afternoon with a refreshed, positive vibe. By the afternoon, it’s time to explore. Walk down to the local plaza for a parade. Join our group hikes from both locations to reconnect with nature and the beauty of the island. Or find your own flow—whether that's working from our peaceful gardens and outdoor spaces or a cozy local café, surrounded by island charm.

Evenings are for connection. We host rooftop yoga at sunset, storytelling circles where elders share local legends, and family-style dinners where everyone brings a dish—sometimes inspired by a grandmother’s recipe, sometimes improvised on the spot. The vibe is relaxed, warm, and deeply human.

Coliving During the Fiestas: From Guests to Participants

Perhaps the most special part of experiencing Fiestas de Mayo with Cactus Coliving is how quickly you become part of something larger. We offer resources and guidance to help you feel included—from helping you source traditional clothing, to teaching you the etiquette of local celebrations.

In the days leading up to the festivals, we offer cultural briefings, music nights, and crafting sessions. Want to play the guitar? Curious about the origins of the romería? You’ll find someone happy to show you. And when it’s time to walk with the crowd, you’ll do it side by side with fellow colivers, neighbors, and new friends.

As one of our guests put it:

“I arrived thinking I’d just get some sun and work done. But what I found was a community that invited me to celebrate, share, and grow.”

In May, Tenerife and La Gomera offers more than a change of scenery. It offers connection—to land, to tradition, to people. And Cactus Coliving is your home for experiencing it all with intention.

Closing thoughts:

Fiestas de Mayo is more than just a calendar event—it’s an invitation to dance with tradition, share a meal with neighbors, and reflect on how we celebrate responsibly. For digital nomads staying at Cactus Coliving, it’s the perfect reminder that travel and remote work aren’t just about productivity—they’re also about connection and conscious living.

So pack your dancing shoes (and maybe your reusable water bottle), and come celebrate with us.

FAQs:

Q: Can digital nomads participate in Fiestas de Mayo without speaking Spanish?

A: Absolutely! Many events are visual and musical, and Cactus Coliving organizes group outings that help you feel included.

Q: Can I participate in traditional dances as a beginner?

A: Absolutely! Our workshops cater to all skill levels, and locals are eager to teach visitors.

Q: How can I contribute to sustainability efforts?
A: Join our beach cleanups, use reusable utensils at events, or donate to our reforestation fund.

Q: Is May a good time for hiking?
A: Perfect! Temperatures average 20–25°C (68–77°F), and trails are lush post-spring rains.

Q: Will coworking spaces still be available during the celebrations?
A: Cactus Coliving continues to offer full coworking support throughout May, including quiet zones, private rooms, and 24/7 access to all workspaces for our in-house residents.

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