Santa Cruz welcomes Christmas with a schedule of activities that enhances cultural and leisure opportunities for families. The city centre and various districts play a pivotal role by hosting an array of events and initiatives catering to individuals of all ages, both during the day and at night.
Kicking off the festivities, TEA will launch a new exhibition and activities programme in the MiniTEA space starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20. The latest MiniExpo, titled “Without Clothes in the Museum: Why is Art Full of Naked People?”, showcases 19 pieces from the TEA Collection organised across four thematic areas: (A Surface of the Skin, Everything or Nothing, The Perfect Body, Majas, Venus and Odalisques, and The Broken Body), each exploring distinct topics.
From Friday to Sunday at 7:00 p.m., TEA will screen the film “No Other Land”, directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, which addresses the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Regarded as one of the most significant documentaries of the year and a frontrunner for the Oscars, this collaborative effort by Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers stands as a testament to creative resistance in their quest for justice regarding the Palestinian-Israeli dispute.
The Central Municipal Library focuses on film, selecting 28 titles “inspired by real events”, along with interpretations that align with the artistic vision of the creators. Throughout the weekend, the Museum of Nature and Archeology will feature “Ethology in Stillness”, an installation reflecting on the effects of human presence on the planet, created during the 2020 confinement due to the pandemic, accessible from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Moreover, on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the venue will host the play “Cuentitos de Agua”, presented by Fidel Galbán. This session is tailored for babies and includes stories, rhymes, poems, and songs. Following this, on the same day in the same venue, the book “You Are in Italy, Don’t Think About Pink Elephants” by Elisabeth H. Morales will be presented. This story follows Emilie, who feels an increasing emptiness in her life and decides to escape her routine by taking a trip to Italy with her partner.
The Central Municipal Library presents an exhibition titled “Imeldo Serís: Everything For and About Tenerife”, showcasing documents related to this significant figure whose motto aptly reflects his unwavering dedication to his home island as both a deputy and senator during the era of Queen Elizabeth II. This exhibition highlights historical documents and artefacts, some gifted by Her Majesty, spanning from the 18th to the 20th centuries and open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This weekend, MUNA will feature the interactive exhibition “Cooperators for Life: Pollinators”. This exhibition emphasises the vital role of pollinators, the reasons behind their decline, and the importance of implementing strategies both on a large scale and an individual level to foster a healthier relationship between society and nature, while assessing the sociocultural and environmental costs of operating within the parameters of limited natural resources.
The Cultural Space of the CajaCanarias Foundation will showcase the exhibition “Images-Words: Photographs by Carlos A. Schwartz”, available for viewing from Tuesday to Friday between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. until January 4, featuring 160 photographs.
Additionally, the la Caixa Foundation is bringing the exhibition “Nikola Tesla: The Genius of Modern Electricity” to Santa Cruz, which can be seen until January 7 in the two tents set up along Francisco La Roche Avenue. This exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the inventor’s life and work, open from Monday to Friday, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; on weekends and holidays, it is accessible from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Special hours will commence on December 23, with opening times from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday, while weekend hours will remain the same. Note that the complex will close in the afternoon on December 24 and 31, and it will be completely shut on December 25 and January 1.
Carnival is an enduring presence in Santa Cruz. A visit to the Casa del Carnaval is a must, featuring three exhibitions dedicated to our vibrant carnival culture. The first, entitled “The Magic Behind the Costume,” highlights the Costume Contest and features key examples of its evolution, including renowned costume designer Miguel Ángel Delgado Salas’. It can be found in the Multipurpose Room from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The exhibition “Lírica y Tradición” focuses on the rondallas and lyrical groups, allowing attendees to explore the history and development of these collectives while viewing some of the costumes currently showcased. Visitors can view this exhibit in the Suspi Room during the same hours.
Finally, the permanent exhibition “2024 Carnival Prize Winners” displays the costumes and ideas of various groups and individuals from Carnival 2024, including the creations of the three Carnival Queens and those from murgas, troupes, and musical and choreographic groups that secured accolades this year. Additionally, new documentary pieces belonging to the esteemed Nicolás Mingorance, recently passed and a celebrated lyricist with Afilarmónica Ni Fú Ni Fá, will also be showcased. This can be visited every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Santa Cruz Casa del Carnaval introduces two fresh temporary exhibitions, available for free until April 2025 from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. These exhibitions pay homage to iconic elements of our carnival, including “Between Laughter and Parties”, which delves into the Laughter Song contest, and “With Clowns and Harlequins: From the Beginning to the Limits”, celebrating the renowned Afilarmónica Nifú Nifá.
This Sunday, the Casa del Carnaval will host a workshop titled ‘Making and Writing Letters for Santa Claus’, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a Christmas storytelling session from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., where attendees will learn about the Christmas story. Subsequently, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Santa Claus will make an appearance at the venue.
On Saturday the 21st, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., L’Incanto Espacio Cultural will host an event titled “The…
Snow Queen
The “Snow Queen,” a performance that presents a perfect opportunity to embrace the festive spirit with a classic tale, is based on a story of the same name by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen from 1844. Additionally, on the same day, but at 9:00 p.m., there will be a showing of Theatre of Terror, directed by Crisol Carabal and featuring students from the Crisol Carabal School of Performance. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the play “Little Women” will commence at 6:00 p.m.
The Museum of Fine Arts is hosting the exhibition “Narratives of Art. Act I (1849-1900),” which will be open until February. This exhibition celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Royal Canarian Academy of Fine Arts (RACBA) and showcases its origins across various artistic disciplines, for which free guided tours will be provided by the curator, Gerardo Fuentes.
On Sunday, the Museum of Fine Arts will also close the annual “Resonances in the Museum” programme, featuring distinguished musicians and students from the Canary Islands Higher Conservatory of Music, alongside internationally acclaimed artists, who will spotlight the collections from the Santa Cruz Fine Arts Museum through chamber music. This Sunday, at 12:00 p.m., “Christmas Resonances” will showcase works by Antonio Vivaldi, JS Bach, Ernesto Alemán, and Benito Cabrera.
The Guimerá Theatre joins this lineup with two performances by Ballets de Tenerife. On Saturday, December 21, at 8:00 p.m., will be the eagerly anticipated premiere of “Nuit en Danse,” followed by a family-friendly event titled “Dance and the Little Ones” on Sunday, December 22, at 12:00 p.m.
The concert “20 years of ST Fusion 2024” is scheduled for this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Adán Martín Auditorium. ST Fusion arose from the collaboration between Japanese artist Satomi Morimoto and Canarian artist Tomás LP Cruz. This Duo has achieved global acclaim, and their performances are certainly a sight to behold.
“La Danza de los Peques” will be presented this Sunday, the 22nd, at 12:00 p.m. at the Guimerá Theatre. This children’s programme, created for Ballets de Tenerife by Miguel, will ensure that younger audiences have the chance to enjoy a show specifically crafted for them, providing a delightful afternoon at the theatre with family.
The La Mistela carol festival will occur this Friday, featuring the performance of Benito Cabrera and José Manuel Ramos with their show “Cantando Pascuas” in the Plaza de El Draguillo, starting at 9:00 p.m. Organised by the Southwest district office and free of charge, the event will also include performances from the Idayra Folkloric and Cultural Group and the San Jerónimo School Children’s Choir.
This Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., children will take centre stage in Santa Catalina Park in La Gallega. A morning filled with laughter, games, and activities awaits, alongside a Christmas market that will last until 6:00 p.m., where local crafts and products can be enjoyed.
Among the extensive Christmas programme organised by the Santa Cruz City Council, the Christmas Market stands out, featuring 71 stalls in the Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena, open to visitors through the weekend from 10:00 a.m. The Gastromercadillo will also present its culinary offerings through 15 stalls in Plaza de España, starting tomorrow and running until January 6, accompanied by a unique programme of musical activities throughout the event.
The Santa Cruz Artisans Association market will showcase their original creations at various stalls set up in Plaza de España, open from December 18 to 23, between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
As part of the Christmas activities, the TEA plaza will host the Christmas Fest Youth Meeting at 3:00 p.m. This weekend, the traditional Nativity Scene and Christmas Tree at the Town Hall will also be available for viewing from Monday to Friday until January 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Market, which returned to its usual venue in October near the Nuestra Señora de África Market, will reopen this Sunday.
This Saturday, at 12:00 p.m., the Fan Zone Kings and Queen League will take place in José Antonio Square in the Salud-La Salle district. Meanwhile, on Sunday at 8:00 p.m., La Candelaria Square will host a Gospel concert featuring the Municipal Music Band alongside the Powerhouse Gospel Choir.
The José Saramago de Añaza library will continue its Breastfeeding Workshop every Friday in August, held in the Children’s room of the library. This activity will run from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and will be facilitated by health professionals responsible for maternal and child health at the Añaza Health Centre.
This Saturday, the Tenerife Gastro Market Fest in Plaza de España will feature a concert by Carlos Baute, providing an excellent opportunity to enjoy the vibrant music of the Venezuelan singer.
