Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (Virgin of the Volcanoes)

This is Lanzarote's main festival and the largest pilgrimage on the island, declared of Tourist Interest. It honours the island's patron, Our Lady of Sorrows, known as the 'Virgin of the Volcanoes', who according to tradition halted the lava flows of the Timanfaya eruptions (1730-1736); her chapel was built beside the lava front. On the eve of the main day, thousands of pilgrims walk from all over the island in traditional dress, with carts, timples and guitars, camels and donkeys, to make their offering to the Virgin amid songs and dances; on the 15th there is a solemn Mass and procession. The celebration is accompanied by the Island Craft Fair and the Nanino Díaz Cutillas Folk Festival.