The Descent of the Virgin of Las Nieves, celebrated every five years in Santa Cruz de La Palma since 1680, is the more bigger festival of La Palma, a unique festivity that pays tribute to the island’s patron saint from July to August. Declared a National Tourist Interest Festival in 1980, it was honored in 2007 by the International Center for Heritage Conservation. The next edition, scheduled for 2025, promises to be unforgettable, as the 2020 one was canceled due to the pandemic.
Don’t Miss the special Festival La Palma Descent of the Virgin of La Palma: A Colorful Fiesta Brimming with History and Charm
The Lustral Festivities of the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves in Santa Cruz de La Palma are one of the most comprehensive and vibrant examples of Baroque-style celebrations. This event is divided into two clearly distinct parts: a religious ceremony dedicated to the Virgin of the Snows, the patron saint of the island, and a series of festive and cultural activities that are an integral part of La Palma’s intangible cultural heritage. Elements such as theater, dance, music, literature, crafts, painting, sculpture, and ephemeral architecture come together in an allegorical representation that is renewed every year to announce the arrival of the image of the Virgin of the Snows in the capital.
For more than a month, a wide program of religious and recreational events fills the streets and squares of the capital. The Bajada de la Virgen is the crowning jewel of the festivities in Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Main Events of the Bajada de la Virgen
The celebrations of the Bajada de La Virgen begin with preparatory ceremonies and the transfer of the image from the Royal Sanctuary to the heart of the historic center, where it resides in the Main Parish of El Salvador during the Feast of the Virgin of the Snows. On the first Sunday in July, marking the beginning of the “Semana Chica” (Small Week), pilgrims carry the silver pieces that compose the Virgin’s throne in a ceremony known as the Bajada del Trono. The image itself is then brought down afterward.
The Grand Week (Semana Grande), which begins on the second Sunday in July, includes:
La Pandorga La Palma. This nighttime parade illuminates the streets with thousands of colorful lanterns. Children, accompanied by their families and a musical band, roam the city in a celebration that symbolizes the magic and wonder of childhood. Today, this event also represents the light that guides the Virgin’s path to the capital.
The Dance of the Mascarones. In this parade, giant figures and oversized heads (cabezudos) appear in the streets, representing historical and social characters from the Canary Islands. This event combines tradition and fun, showcasing the island’s rich cultural history and creating a festive atmosphere for everyone.
El Minué. This ballet, inspired by the gardens and palaces of Versailles, is a spectacular performance held on the Wednesday of the Grand Week. Although it was only introduced in 1945, it has already become a classic that combines music, dance, and luxurious costumes to capture the elegance of the 18th century.
Other traditional events include the Allegorical and Triumphal Carriage (Carro Alegórico y Triunfal) and the Acrobat Dance (Danza de Acróbatas).
The Dialogue between the Castle and the Ship (El Diálogo entre el Castillo y la Nave) is a symbolic and spectacular theatrical event. While the Virgin descends toward the Parish of El Salvador, a recreation of a naval battle takes place. This simulation involves a castle situated on a hill and a ship at the base of the Alameda, with cannon fire and sound effects adding to the spectacle. The event culminates with the Virgin continuing her journey, followed by crowds of devoted onlookers.
The Loa de Recibimiento. Upon the Virgin’s arrival at the Plaza de España, a musical composition is performed by a choir, soloists, and a symphony orchestra. This solemn act marks the climax of the festivities, where the devotion and emotion of the faithful overflow before the image of the Virgin of the Snows.
The Return Procession (La Procesión de Retorno). The festivities conclude on August 5 with a procession in which the Virgin is solemnly returned to her sanctuary. This final act is a moment of great reverence, where the faithful bid farewell to their patroness with promises and gratitude, marking the end of celebrations filled with emotion and tradition.
The Dance of the Dwarfs: The Most Iconic and Anticipated Moment of the Lustral Festivities
The Dance of the Dwarfs (Danza de los Enanos) is one of the most iconic acts of the Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves, with a fascinating history dating back to 1833. Its evolution to its current form has made this dance a unique cultural and festive symbol.
The dance features 24 participants, both men and, as of 2025, women, selected through a rigorous audition process. Aspirants must demonstrate talent in both singing and dancing the polka. The process of transforming into dwarfs is kept a closely guarded secret. The dancers begin dressed in identical tunics, whose design changes with each edition. They pass through a cabin on the stage, where they magically transform into the iconic Dwarfs of La Palma, donning their famous hats numbered from 1 to 12. These numbers determine the order of their appearance and prevent confusion during the performance.
Once transformed, the Dwarfs emerge, dancing and jumping to the rhythm of a traditional polka played by the Municipal Band of San Miguel. The choreography includes lively movements, changes in orientation, and reorganization into rows before returning to the cabin, creating a dynamic and vibrant performance. After several performances in the main square, the Dwarfs continue dancing through O’Daly Street, also known as Calle Real, spreading their magic until dawn.
The method that allows participants to change their appearance so quickly is a closely guarded secret, passed down from generation to generation.
Origins and History of the Dwarfs of La Palma
The first mention of the Dance of the Dwarfs dates back to 1833, during the celebration of the beginning of Queen Isabel II’s reign. In its early days, participants included both men and women, and their costumes were typically Spanish, with hats of Russian style rather than the distinctive Napoleonic design they wear today.
In 1905, the Dwarfs adopted their current appearance: Napoleonic hats, specific costumes, and choreography performed to the rhythm of a centuries-old polka. Since then, this act has become an essential part of the Lustral Festivities, repeated every five years.
