In the Canary Islands you will always find something to do and the December long weekend is no exception.. At the doors of Christmas, The Christmas spirit permeates the vast majority of corners of the Archipelago. So on the December long weekend The options for your free time multiply and Christmas plans are already part of this week’s calendar.
The luckiest among workers and schoolchildren will have at least five days off, from December 6 to 10. Nothing more and nothing less than more than half a week to open the doors to the most anticipated time and with the most holidays of the year.
Almost without realizing it, the month of December will fly by between us nativity scenes, lighting, gift shopping, business lunches and dinners, with friends and family, concerts and endless activities to choose from.
Below we offer you a list with some Christmas proposals for this December long weekend.
Nativity scene route
The most popular Christmas representation in Gran Canaria is getting older. The Sand Nativity Scene on Las Canteras beach can be visited from 12:00 p.m. this Tuesday, December 5.
This year, it will have eight scenes and will be a tribute to the canarians who are outside the islands. In this edition, number 18, sculptors from United States, Holland, Canada, Ireland and Canary Islands. And, for the first time, there is three island sculptors working in the sand: the brothers Etual and Bentejuí Ojeda and Aarón Ojeda. In addition to the multidisciplinary artist from Cádiz living on the island, Paco Arana. The Nativity will have night lighting so that it can be visited at night and will be ‘green’ thanks to the photovoltaic panels that have been installed for the occasion.
If you prefer a nativity scene among volcanoes, Yaiza is the largest and most visited in Lanzarote. If there is a Christmas performance that you cannot miss on the island of volcanoes, without a doubt, it is the Yaiza nativity scene. Nearly 300 square meters where the most tourist areas in the south of the Island are represented with incredible miniature replicas that do not lack detail, such as the Montañas del Fuego, La Geria, the green puddle of El Golfo or the salt flats of Janubio, among other places. The inauguration of this 260 square meter nativity scene, next to the Plaza de Los Remedios, took place last Friday, December 1.
The traditional southern portal, which year after year never ceases to surprise locals and strangers, is a collective creation of municipal workers Pancho Ortiz, Orlando Caraballo and Aridane Cabrera.
In case you prefer Christmas trees to nativity scenes, one of the most original trees in the Canary Islands this year is in Fuerteventura. The Pájara City Council aspires to enter the Guinness Book of Records for making the tallest Christmas tree in the world. The structure is 22 meters high and eight meters in diameter and its coverage has been woven by the people of the Pájara Senior Center, in a symbolic effort for the inclusion and participation of the senior group.
The Christmas programming of the municipality of Pájara whose main attraction will be the aforementioned Christmas tree, which will be displayed in the town of Pájara.
Walk through Christmas lighting
Why not stroll among outdoor colored lights with a wide range of motifs and decorations? The Canarian cities and towns present until January 6 lighting that surrounds the environment with millions of bulbs. She wants to be on the street. There is no need to wait until nightfall to admire the original creations with which the town councils surprise each year, which they try to surpass each time. From six in the afternoon it is already night and the Christmas lighting permeates many of the streets and squares.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde and Gáldar are some of the good options for these dates.
Canary Islands craft fair
will be celebrated from December 5 to 10 at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Fairgrounds and among other activities, includes micro-experience craft workshops for children from 6 to 17 years old and adults from 18 years old.
Christmas markets
The Mesa and López area will have a Christmas market this December long weekend with double the number of stalls and food trucks.
Christmas stalls with crafts, sweets and Christmas decorations are typical for these dates spread throughout the Canary Islands. In La Orotava the Christmas market will be open until December 10, in the Plaza de la Constitución. A fair with 10 booths where you can find Christmas items, decoration elements, gastronomic products and nativity scenes.
Christmas stalls with crafts, sweets and Christmas decorations are typical for these dates spread throughout the Canary Islands. In La Orotava the Christmas market will be open until December 10, in the Plaza de la Constitución. A fair with 10 booths where you can find Christmas items, decoration elements, gastronomic products and nativity scenes.
Ice skating
The ice rink has been open since last November 24 on the court next to the municipal sports center of Gáldar. It can be used until January 5, 2024 in the morning and afternoon, depending on the days. Programming can be check this link.
Prepare Canarian Christmas recipes
Canarian gastronomy, like that of other places, also has its own idiosyncrasies and typical recipes of these dates. You don’t have to wait for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve dinner to taste the star dessert of Christmas in the Canary Islands: the delicious sweet potato trout, although it also allows other ingredients such as angel hair.
We must not forget the famous Tejeda almond Polvorones either, so these days we can prepare the pantry with that delicious flavor.
Nature on in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Palmetum hosts the show Naturaleza Encendidawhich can be visited until January 21, 2024. The magical lighting of Naturaleza Encendida is the new lighting adventure that offers visitors an experience in which to discover the transoceanic voyages of the 16th century. Coinciding with the winter season, the Nature Encendida show begins at the Palmetum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The lighting proposal comes to invite visitors to a unique edition tailored to the botanical garden located in the Cabo Llanos neighborhood, transforming it into a meeting point where you can immerse yourself in more than twenty dream scenes. On this occasion, Explorium is released, a tribute to the 16th century maritime expedition that Ferdinand Magellan began and Juan Sebastián Elcano completed by heading into the unknown. An adventure that marked the first trip around the world and also included an extra activity for the public.
A digital art exhibition called Botanical Expeditions that reviews some of the scientific excursions organized in said historical period. You can visit until January 21, 2024from Wednesday to Sunday from 6:15 p.m. until the last showing at 10:45 p.m. (except on Christmas dates when the opening days will be extended).
Tickets can be purchased through the website www.naturalezaencendida.com.
Christmas concerts
Music in the heart of Vegueta (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) December 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mapfre Canarias Foundation, Patio de Los Naranjos, Bar Association, Plaza de San Agustín and Plaza del Pilar Nuevo.
Previously, at 12:00 p.m. in the Plaza de España and Ramblas de Mesa y López, Christmas Carols with Súbito Koral. In both cases entry is free until capacity is reached.
Raphael in Gran Canaria and Tenerife
If there is an artist whose carols are always present in Christmas celebrations, it is Raphael. A classic with ‘El Tamborilero’ at the top of his repertoire at this time.
In the Canary Islands he will offer a concert on December 7 at the Gran Canaria Arena (9:00 p.m.) and on December 9 at the Santiago Martín Sports Pavilion in La Laguna (9:00 p.m.).
Tickets are on sale at www.entradas.com.
