Tenerife’s Tricontinental Craft Fair Celebrates Cultural Heritage
Tenerife has turned into a hub of craftsmanship from three continents with the opening of the eighth Tricontinental Craft Fair on Saturday, 24 October. The event takes place at Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s Recinto Ferial, running until 2 November. Entry is free for visitors, who can explore over 200 artisans from Africa, America, and Europe.
This year’s fair highlights Mexico, the guest country, with an opening day celebration featuring a vibrant display of music and folklore that paid tribute to Mexican culture.
The inaugural gala, titled ‘Viva México’, was directed by Juan Carlos Armas and included performances by the Las Candelas band. The event attracted a large audience, according to the organisers, who filled the central space of the fair.
Key attendees included Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo de Tenerife; Efraín Medina, Councillor for Employment, Education and Youth; José Manuel Bermúdez, Mayor of Santa Cruz; and Alfonso Cabello, Vice-Minister of the Presidency of the Canary Islands. Also present was María de los Ángeles Baca Herrejón, Honorary Consul of Mexico in Tenerife, who expressed gratitude for her country being in the spotlight this year.
The fair features a range of traditional crafts, from textiles to decorative pieces, across a 12,000 square metre space that includes exhibition stands, training activities, and cultural performances. Alongside showcasing international traditions, the event also highlights the work of local Canary Island artisans.
Dávila emphasised the fair’s cultural and economic significance, noting it as a unique gathering for creative talents and a vital venue for cultural inclusivity and socio-economic development.
Families can take part in hands-on workshops designed to demonstrate traditional crafts. Highlights include a masterclass in traditional knife-making by Tenerife artisan Daniel Castro Hernández and a family workshop on Costa Rican mask-making led by craftsman Lourdes Fraser.
Ongoing events include masterclasses, craft demonstrations, and free workshops, with participants needing to register due to limited spaces.
Efraín Medina highlighted the importance of engaging younger generations with traditional crafts. He pointed out that the fair serves as a meeting place for professionals and different cultural backgrounds.
The Tricontinental Craft Fair is taking place from 24 October to 2 November 2026 at the Recinto Ferial, Avenida de la Constitución, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The event is free to attend, with usual opening hours from 11:00 to 21:00, though it will open later on 26-28 October from 16:00 to 21:00. In addition to craft stalls, the programme includes musical performances, craft exhibitions, and various cultural activities for all ages.
