Updated for 2026: the San Andrés festivities in Tenerife take place in late November with new wine, chestnuts, noisy metal objects, wooden boards and a wonderful atmosphere in the north of the island. The key dates are 29 and 30 November; in 2026 they fall on Sunday and Monday, although each council publishes its final programme a few weeks beforehand.
If you have only heard about “the boards of Icod” or “dragging the cacharros”, here is the practical, up-to-date guide: where to go, what each place celebrates, how to organise the trip by car and which precautions to take so you can enjoy it without getting into trouble.
What is celebrated at San Andrés?
San Andrés marks the arrival of new wine in Tenerife. Traditionally, wineries opened, the harvest was tasted and accompanied by roast chestnuts, sweet potatoes, salted fish, sardines, mojo and other autumn flavours. Over time, each town developed its own customs.
In Icod de los Vinos, the best-known image is the Tablas de San Andrés: people sliding down steep streets on wooden boards. In Puerto de la Cruz, the night fills with noise during the Fiesta del Cacharro y la Castaña, when tins and metal objects are dragged through the streets. In La Guancha and other northern towns, new wine, chestnuts and popular music also play an important role.
Where to experience San Andrés in Tenerife in 2026
| Place | What to see | Best time | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icod de los Vinos | Tablas de San Andrés | 29 and 30 November | Arrive early, park outside the centre and respect restricted areas. |
| Puerto de la Cruz | Cacharros, chestnuts and new wine | Evening of 29 November | Activities usually centre on Plaza del Charco and nearby streets. |
| La Guancha | Wine, chestnuts and local tradition | San Andrés weekend | A good choice for a smaller, more local celebration. |
| Orotava Valley | Chestnuts, new wine and autumn atmosphere | Days around San Andrés | Combine the festival with a food route through the north. |
The Tablas de San Andrés in Icod de los Vinos
The boards are the most spectacular tradition and also the one requiring the greatest care. In Icod, participants descend steep streets on wooden boards while the public watches from safe areas. It is a physical, noisy and exciting festival, but not a show where you should step into the path with your phone held up.
My advice is to be a responsible spectator. Use the designated areas, do not enter the riders’ path, do not push for a photograph and listen to Civil Protection, local police and organisers. The tradition is much more enjoyable when you do not take home a frightening souvenir.
Cacharros and chestnuts in Puerto de la Cruz
San Andrés sounds different in Puerto de la Cruz. Its best-known popular celebration involves cacharros: tins, metal objects and old odds and ends tied together with wire and dragged noisily through the streets. It is accompanied by the wonderful smell of roast chestnuts and new wine that makes the evening unmistakably local.
It is fun with children, but choose the area carefully. There is noise, movement and a large crowd. Arrive early, have a simple dinner, avoid pushing and agree on a meeting point in case the group becomes separated.
What to eat and drink at San Andrés
- Roast chestnuts: the classic food of the evening.
- New wine: the star of the festival; enjoy it only if you will not drive afterwards.
- Salted fish or sardines: highly traditional at celebrations in the north.
- Sweet potatoes and potatoes: a simple, perfect accompaniment on a cool evening.
- Mojo and gofio: because a Tenerife festival without mojo would be incomplete.
How to organise the route by car
If you are coming from southern Tenerife, remember that the north is a long way to travel for an evening festival. Choose a single place rather than trying to visit Icod, Puerto de la Cruz and La Guancha in one night. Staying overnight in the north is even better.
If you are driving, the most sensible plan is:
- Set out with time to spare and avoid arriving just as events begin.
- Park outside the centre, even if it means walking a little.
- Do not depend on moving the car during the festival.
- If you plan to taste wine, nominate a driver or use a taxi, bus or nearby accommodation.
- Check the council programme before setting out because times and road closures change.
Mistakes to avoid
- Thinking that the boards are a risk-free tourist attraction.
- Trying to drive into central Icod or Puerto during the height of the festival.
- Going without warm clothing. Northern Tenerife becomes cool at night in November.
- Tasting new wine and driving back to the south.
- Assuming that previous years’ times still apply. Check the official 2026 programme.
Is it worth going?
Very much so, if you want to see an authentic, noisy Tenerife with living traditions. This is not a silent postcard celebration; it is streets, wood, metal, chestnuts, wine, residents and visitors all mixed together. San Andrés has that feeling of “you do not see this everywhere”.
When planning a route through the north, combine it with Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Icod, Garachico or a food stop. Leave plenty of room in the evening, however. San Andrés is not something to rush.
Frequently asked questions about San Andrés in Tenerife
When are the San Andrés festivities in Tenerife?
The traditional dates are 29 and 30 November. In 2026 they fall on Sunday and Monday, but each council publishes its final programme a few weeks beforehand.
Where do the Tablas de San Andrés take place?
The most famous board celebration takes place in Icod de los Vinos, particularly on its steep streets prepared for the tradition.
Where are the cacharros dragged?
The best-known Fiesta del Cacharro y la Castaña takes place in Puerto de la Cruz, particularly around the centre and Plaza del Charco.
Is the festival suitable for children?
Yes, but care is required. Puerto de la Cruz may be more convenient for experiencing the family atmosphere of cacharros and chestnuts. In Icod, you must strictly respect the safety areas around the boards.
Can I travel from the south and return the same night?
You can, but it is tiring. If you plan to taste new wine, stay in the north or have a driver who does not drink.
To continue discovering the island through its flavours, combine this plan with our guide to Tenerife wineries and our practical explanation of guachinches in Tenerife.
