“Festival of the Tin and Chestnut” is one of our most cherished and vibrant traditions. Every November 29th, the streets of Puerto de la Cruz are filled with a unique energy that blends the past with the present. While the clanging of the "cacharros" (tins) dragged by children and adults symbolizes an ancient custom (historically linked to cleaning barrels in wine cellars or warding off evil spirits), the town square transforms into a large gathering place to share the first roasted chestnuts and the new wine of the season. It is a moving autumnal rite of passage that celebrates the land, local cuisine, and above all, the pride of passing on a shared identity from generation to generation.
In the context of this festival, a "cacharro" is any old, disused, or discarded metal object that makes noise when dragged.
Families typically collect these materials in the weeks leading up to the festival to build their "noisy contraptions." The most common options include cans and tins: Empty metal containers from powdered milk, preserves, soft drinks, or paint, old pots, dented pans, lids, broken coffee makers, or unusable appliances. The key element used to tie all the objects together in a long line so they can be easily dragged along the ground.
Originally, this noisy practice was associated with wine merchants, who would roll barrels of wine along the cobblestone streets toward the sea to clean them and prepare them for the new harvest. Over time, the tradition evolved and the barrels were replaced by these homemade metal contraptions, becoming a fun popular game where children (and not so children) compete to see who makes the noisiest structure or the longest row of cans.
