05:00
La Diana
The town wakes to the sound of the Agaete, Guayedra and La Clandestina bands, which set off from the town hall and parade through the streets announcing the big day.
Photo: CarlotaBGarcia18, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0
Agaete · Festival of National Tourist Interest
La Rama 2026 in Agaete: Gran Canaria's most exuberant festival
Tuesday 4 August. Thousands of dancers carry tree branches aloft from the old town of Agaete down to the sea at Puerto de Las Nieves, driven by brass bands and escorted by the giant-headed papagüevos. This guide covers everything you need to know.
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When
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
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Where
Agaete → Puerto de Las Nieves
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Admission
Free, no ticket needed
Guide updated · 1 August 2026
What is the Fiesta de la Rama?
La Rama ("the branch") is the highlight of the Nuestra Señora de las Nieves festivities in Agaete, on the north-west coast of Gran Canaria, and one of the biggest popular festivals in the Canary Islands. Every 4 August, tens of thousands of people dance through the town waving tree branches in the air until they reach the sea, accompanied by brass bands and by the papagüevos — giant papier-mâché heads portraying much-loved local characters.
It has been an official Festival of National Tourist Interest since 1972 and is part of a festival programme that runs from 25 July until late August, with more than forty religious, cultural and sporting events.
Tuesday, 4 August 2026
Schedule of the big day
10:00
The Bajada de la Rama
The main event. From beside the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, thousands of revellers dance downhill through the old town to Puerto de Las Nieves, branches held high, with the three bands and the papagüevos leading the way.
22:00
La Retreta
The party carries on into the night beside the Church of la Concepción with the Agaete and Guayedra bands.
01:00
Fireworks
In the small hours of 5 August, fireworks close the big day and usher in the feast of the Virgen de las Nieves.
Centuries of history
From an indigenous rain ritual to Gran Canaria's biggest street party
The origins of La Rama go back to the ancient Canarians. In times of drought they would descend from Tirma and the pine forests of Tamadaba carrying branches, and beat the sea with them while chanting for rain — asking the sky for what the land needed.
With the arrival of Christianity the ritual didn't disappear; it transformed. The plea for water merged with devotion to the Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), and the branches became an offering rather than a tool. Newspapers were already reporting the celebration in the 19th century, and in 1972 it was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
The essence remains intact today: branch held high, tireless dancing to the beat of the band, and the collective descent towards the sea. Once you've lived it, you'll come back.
The papagüevos
Agaete's giant-headed figures — known as papagüevos or papahuevos — escort the parade and are an inseparable part of the festival.
Their papier-mâché heads portray popular local characters, and watching them dance through the crowd is one of the most anticipated moments, especially for children.
Practical information
Getting there and tips
By bus
Global bus line 103 connects Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (San Telmo station) with Agaete and Puerto de Las Nieves in just over an hour. For La Rama, Global usually lays on extra services including night buses; check the current timetable before you travel.
Global timetablesBy car
Take the GC-2 from Las Palmas — about 35–40 minutes. Agaete's town centre is closed to traffic during the festival: park on the outskirts (sports centre area, Puerto de Las Nieves or nearby) and walk in. Arrive early; parking fills up fast.
View on Google MapsTips
- · Comfortable closed shoes: you'll be dancing in a crowd for hours.
- · Water, a hat and sunscreen — the August sun is fierce.
- · Agree on a meeting point: mobile networks get saturated.
- · With children, tag them with a contact phone number.
- · Respect the emergency corridors and follow local police instructions.
Las Nieves festivities 2026
Other key dates in the programme
Friday 31 July · 21:00
Opening proclamation
The pregón, delivered by the Agaete and Guayedra bands beside the Church of la Concepción.
Sunday 2 August
Children's retreta
The little ones' own rama, with family activities and workshops all week long.
Wednesday 5 August
Feast of Las Nieves
The patron saint's day, with mass and the procession in her honour.
Sunday 16 August · 22:00
Final retreta and water fireworks
The festivities' farewell at Puerto de Las Nieves.
Before you set off
All times are Canary Islands time (WEST, one hour behind mainland Spain) and come from Agaete town council's official programme. Road closures and the special bus plan are announced in the days before the festival — check the latest news before heading out.