Santa Cruz of Tenerife once again exhibits its cultural, recreational, and sports potential. The city offers an inclusive and tailored selection for all generations. The streets are transformed into stages for live performances, showcasing the most innovative expressions of local art, interactive workshops to spark curiosity in the youngest ones, nature and urban heritage walks, and outdoor concerts as part of the diverse range of activities that the capital presents during these days.
The May Festival program for this weekend is exceptionally diverse. Art enthusiasts have a date at the Museum of Fine Arts to marvel at the sculptural work “Faces” by Felipe Hogdson. The exhibition, selected in the call for exhibition projects of the Autonomous Organization of Culture (OAC), is open for visits on Friday, May 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On this Friday, the Guimerá Theater will host the “Opera, Concert tribute to Monserrat Caballé”. The Municipal Music Band of Santa Cruz de Tenerife will present an unforgettable concert at 8:00 p.m., brimming with opera performances, zarzuela romances, and songs by Montserrat Martí (Monserrat Caballé’s daughter), and the tenor who shared the stage with the most renowned soprano worldwide, Javier Palacios.
Simultaneously, in the Plaza de La Candelaria, Mayo Joven will take place, with exceptional performances by Tayson Kryss, creator of the worldwide hit song “Buscando money”, and the Canarian singer Cristián Rodríguez (Xriz). DJ sets by Renzzo El Selector and Fabrizio Salgado will also be part of the event.
On Saturday, May 25, at 8:30 p.m. in the Plaza de La Candelaria, the XVI edition of the Son 21 festival will be celebrated, commemorating the group’s 20th anniversary with Kanarii from Gran Canaria as a guest.
Among the cultural highlights of the May Festival program, the exhibition “Macaronesia” by the artist Luis García-Ramos at the Tarquis-Robayna room of the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts stands out. The exhibition comprises 37 works and is open for visits on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Additionally, there will be a guided tour with the artist every Saturday at 12:00 p.m. for a firsthand experience of the exhibition.
As a testament to preserving our traditions, the García Sanabria room offers a deeper insight into the work of the artist Luis Dávila with an exhibition showcasing over 150 reproductions of his prints depicting traditional Canarian costumes. The exhibition will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on Sundays when it will open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
On Sunday, May 26, at 8:00 p.m., La Candelaria Square will host the DLokos Symphonic show, featuring the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Music Band, Carlos Goñi y Ruts, and Isla Music.
Distrito Joven activities are always a reliable choice for entertainment. For instance, on Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Luz y Vida Neighborhood Association, the K-POP Academy presents an opportunity to learn choreographies of favourite groups and enhance dance skills. Another option is the “Getting to know Google” workshop, an educational and engaging way to explore the benefits of the popular search engine. This workshop will take place on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Mascareño Youth House.
Similarly, on the same day, at the Nuevo Obrero Civic Center, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., fashion and beauty enthusiasts can delve into the intriguing world of visagism and eyebrow waxing, exploring the latest techniques in this field. And, on Sunday, May 26, an afternoon of movies awaits with Distrito Joven, offering a fun and respectful environment for participants to choose the film they wish to watch. This will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cines Yelmo Meridiano.
Exhibitions and performing arts take the spotlight during the weekend. It’s the last chance to visit the exhibition “The eternal light of Freemasonry”, running until May 24 at the Central Municipal Library of Santa Cruz, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The exhibition showcases a selection of documents related to Freemasonry.
The Fine Arts Museum offers guided tours of the exhibition “Cabeza de Venado. The art that connects”, by Diego de Velázquez, in collaboration with the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Telefónica Foundation. The exhibition is open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. continuously.
The CajaCanarias Foundation presents the temporary exhibition “Plastic Creation in the Millares Sall”, providing an opportunity to admire the works of the seven Millares Sall brothers and two sisters. It can be visited on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
At the Museum of Nature and Archeology (MUNA), visitors can explore the exhibition “The smoke of progress. The Correíllo La Palma, its era and recovery”, where they can discover and learn about this vessel through various content units. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sundays and holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
From Friday to Sunday, between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., visitors can enjoy Óscar Domínguez’s exhibition “The Two Who Cross” at the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA). This new exhibition dedicated to the surrealist painter is curated by Isidro Hernández and is accessible until November 24. Additionally, the same venue hosts the exhibition “Double blind” by the artist Adrián Alemán. This exhibition, curated by Néstor Delgado, is available for visits free of charge on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Throughout the weekend, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the TEA also presents the mini-exhibition titled “Naturally,” designed for children, youth, and families alike, prompting reflection on the relationship between humans and the natural environment and the impact they have made. “Brave Hearts”, a film directed by filmmaker Mona Achache, is the TEA’s movie recommendation for this weekend, screening from Friday to Sunday at 7:00 p.m., based on true events.
The Tenerife Auditorium will feature, on Friday at 7:30 p.m., “The flute in concert, Concert T16 of the Tenerife Symphony.” Simultaneously, on the same day and at the same venue, at 7:30 p.m., the Alexis Alonso Quartet and Maureen Choi will hold a concert presenting the album “Hypenosis”. Pianist and composer Alexis Alonso, a leading figure in Spanish jazz in recent years, collaborates with the American virtuoso violinist Maureen Choi.
The Cabildo of Tenerife will pay tribute to Elfidio Alonso, founder of Los Sabandeños, with two shows depicting his career. The legendary Tenerife group will perform in the Symphonic Hall of the Tenerife Auditorium on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
On Friday, from 8:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m., Espacio La Granja presents the work “Magias”, premiering dancer Teresa Lorenzo’s new contemporary dance solo project. During the weekend, the Victoria Theater will raise the curtain at 7:30 p.m. with the 22nd “Encuentros” Contemporary Theater Festival, an annual gathering between Canarian theatre companies and those from other parts of the country.
The carnival spirit is ever-present in Santa Cruz. So, what could be better than visiting the carnival? Carnival embodies the joy, colour, and liveliness of the city, offering an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Celebrate Carnival at the Casa del Carnaval with Three Engaging Exhibitions
Step into the magical world of the carnival at Casa del Carnaval, where three captivating exhibitions await you. The first exhibition, titled “The Enchantment of Costumes”, showcases the evolution of the Costume Contest, featuring renowned artist Miguel Ángel Delgado Salas and the group Los Ilusionistas del Carnaval. Witness the creativity and artistry behind these stunning carnival costumes at the Multipurpose Room from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Immerse yourself in the traditions and lyrical heritage of the carnival at the exhibition “Melodies and Traditions”. Discover the history and evolution of rondallas and lyrical groups, with a glimpse of the mesmerising fantasies that continue to compete. This exhibition can be enjoyed at the Suspi Room, running concurrently with the first exhibition.
Lastly, don’t miss the exclusive exhibition “2024 Carnival Prize Winners”, featuring the dazzling costumes and fantasies of Carnival 2024’s winning groups, collectives, and queens. Delight in the elaborate designs of the Carnival Queens and other prize-winning works, along with a special showcase honouring the legacy of Nicolás Mingorance, a legendary lyricist from Afilarmónica Ni Fú Ni Fá. Visit on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Santa Cruz City Council, in partnership with the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation, presents the tenth edition of the “Anaga a Pie” guided hiking programme. Embark on Route 3 this Saturday to explore the natural and cultural treasures of Anaga, covering a 6.3-kilometre trail through Antequera’s picturesque landscapes. The hike will commence at 8:15 a.m. from the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Interchange corner.
Basketball fans, mark your calendars for Saturday at the Puerto-Ciudad esplanade, where a thrilling 3×3 basketball tournament will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Open to various categories, including seniors, juniors, cadets, children, minibasketball, and benjamin, this tournament promises a day of exciting basketball action for both male and female players.
Exploring the rich heritage of Santa Cruz is always a rewarding experience. Join a guided tour starting from the Palacio de Carta on Friday at 10:00 a.m. for a fascinating journey through the history of Tenerife’s vibrant capital. Concurrently, a 15-minute guided tour of the Carta Palace will offer insights into one of the city’s iconic landmarks. Additionally, from 10:00 to 11:00, a guided tour of the enchanting García Sanabria Park will delve into the history of this verdant oasis.
Rounding off the weekend festivities is the Founding Day celebration of Taganana, set to take place at Plaza de Las Nieves in the Anaga region on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
