La Matanza y Taganana

FIESTAS OF EL BAILE DEL NIÑO

On Christmas Eve, after midnight mass, the "Baile del Niño" (the dance of the child) takes place. Groups of eight in the Santa Cruz district of Taganana, and of twenty two in La Matanza, made up of young people in traditional costume, dressed as shepherds, or with a white shirt, black trousers and a red sash, dance along in the procession, before the newly born child in the church.

They dance to the music of drums, flutes, tambourines and castanets, singing and dancing to the rhythm of the tajaraste.

The Day of San Salvador, Patron Saint of the borough, is celebrated on the 6th of August, as part of the towns' festivals.

Another important fiesta is San Antonio Abad, on the 17th of January and the following three Sundays, with the traditional Octava Ganadera.