Festival Boreal Returns to Los Silos with a Focus on Culture and Sustainability
The Festival Boreal, celebrated for its commitment to cultural engagement and environmental awareness, will take place in the historic town of Los Silos from 16 to 20 September. This year marks its 19th edition, with the festival continuing to distance itself from the commercialised festival model.
Founded in 2008 to highlight marine fragility after the discovery of a whale skeleton along Tenerife’s coast, Boreal has since evolved into a boutique festival that integrates local heritage and community life into its offerings. The festival prioritises accessibility and social responsibility, silencing night-time noise to protect local wildlife and ensuring diverse representation on stage and in production teams.
This year’s music programme features a mix of international and local artists. Highlights include South African group BCUC, Jamaican artist Hempress Sativa with Paolo Baldini Dub Files, and the celebrated Colombian band Aterciopelados. Other performers include The Neighborhood Kids, El Veneno Crew, and the Peruvian singer Renata Flores. Noteworthy acts on Saturday include Daddy G from Massive Attack and the Algiers band Imarhan.
Boreal’s commitment to equality is evident in its partnerships with groups like Keychange and the Association of Women in the Music Industry, ensuring gender parity in all programming. The event will also feature dedicated spaces for mental health support, sensory backpacks, and other accessibility measures, alongside efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
Art is also central to the festival, with Portuguese artist Diogo Machado’s exhibition “Add Fuel Solo Show” running from 14 to 27 September at the Pérez Enríquez Exhibition Hall. Additionally, a contemporary dance residency titled “This is Not a Body” will be showcased on 17 September.
Tickets are available via the official website and Tickety, with general passes and day tickets for the music performances on 18 and 19 September. The festival will feature community workshops, eco-markets, and professional networking events, further enhancing its commitment to being a unique and inclusive cultural experience.
Cultural Agenda for Festival Boreal 2026:
- Art Exhibition: 14 to 27 September – “Add Fuel Solo Show” by Diogo Machado at the Pérez Enríquez Exhibition Hall.
- Dance Residency: 17 September – “This is Not a Body” by Koset Talavera and Gara Hernández.
- Music Line-up:
- 18 September: BCUC, Hempress Sativa with Paolo Baldini Dub Files, The Neighborhood Kids, El Veneno Crew, Aïta Mon Amour, Renata Flores, Rubio, The Queen of Bass, Pleito, and Proyecto Jable.
- 19 September: Daddy G, Aterciopelados, Imarhan, Throes + The Shine, Fuensanta, Josyara, Candeleros, La Terrorista del Sabor, and Xerach.
- Awards: The Boreal 2026 Award will honour writer Andrea Abreu for her advocacy of peripheral culture and rurality.
Practical Information:
Tickets can be purchased at www.festivalboreal.org and on Tickety. Official shuttle buses will run on 18 and 19 September from Santa Cruz, La Laguna, and La Orotava to Los Silos, with return services available in the early hours following each event.
