Fiestas de San Andrés - Tablas

The San Andrés Festival, held every year between November 29th and 30th in Icod de los Vinos, is an explosion of tradition, adrenaline, and flavor. This celebration combines the symbolism of the winery opening with the municipality's most characteristic street game: the famous "tables of San Andrés." Essentially, it's a celebration of new wine, but in Icod, it takes on an absolutely unique form.

During these days, the steep streets of the historic center, especially those of El Plano, San Antonio, and Hércules, become improvised ramps where young people (and some not so young) hurtle downhill on polished wooden boards, often recycled from boxes or furniture. These "boards" can be single or double, and the descent is as fast as it is noisy. The clatter of the wood against the asphalt, the shouts of excitement, and laughter fill the air. Although it may seem crazy, everything is controlled and supervised, and it's a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

The origin of this custom is uncertain, but it is believed to stem from the transport of wood from the highlands to the town center. Over time, it transformed into a fun way to celebrate the arrival of the new wine, which begins to be served that same day in the local wineries. Taverns open their doors with tastings of the new red wine, accompanied by roasted chestnuts, salted fish, gofio (a type of wine made from grapes), and wrinkled potatoes. It is a night for the senses, where the land, the grape, tradition, and play come together.

The festival has an authentic, rural, and intimate feel. There are no large stages or scheduled shows, but there is a contagious energy that unites visitors and locals around the living history of Icod. A perfect blend of heritage, youth, and roots makes the San Andrés Festival one of Tenerife's most unique and beloved celebrations.