This weekend, Santa Cruz offers a diverse array of cultural, recreational, sports, popular, and traditional activities suitable for all age groups. From the festivities commemorating the May Festival, to sporting events, hiking trails to explore the beauty of Anaga on foot, the agenda of the Young District, art exhibitions, and the patron saint celebrations in the San Telmo and Almáciga neighbourhoods. Also, historical and botanical tours to discover the rich natural and cultural heritage of the city.
As part of the city’s founding celebrations, on Friday the 26th at 9:00 p.m., Santa Cruz will crown the May Festival Queen in Plaza de La Candelaria. The event will be a showcase of traditional island costumes, with 35 candidates vying for the title.
On Saturday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., García Sanabria Park will host the World Tai Chi Day celebration. There will be workshops, talks on Tai Chi, Chi Kung, traditional Chinese medicine, and acupuncture. The theatrical performance of “Cometa” by Roser López Espinosa at 12:00 p.m. in Guimerá Theater will take children on a journey of adventure and imagination, leading them to an unknown galaxy full of surprises.
Furthermore, don’t miss the Children’s Magician and Magician Election Gala at 7:00 p.m. in Plaza de La Candelaria. 12 girls and 5 boys will participate in an event promoting awareness of traditional Canarian attire through games and music. The gala will feature performances by the children’s group Achimagec and Irene Gil, the winner of La Voz Kids 5.
As part of the Young District activities, on Friday, an engaging office automation workshop will take place at the Somosierra Activa Neighborhood Association from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This workshop aims to enhance skills in important programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and cloud tools. Additionally, the IES Benito Pérez Armas will host an introductory hockey course from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. providing an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the sport, emphasizing communication and teamwork.
On the same day, the El Sobradillo Community Center will offer an introductory drawing course from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., focusing on exploring and developing drawing skills, techniques, and basic concepts for creating unique artworks.
Saturday will bring the K-POPO Academy to the Luz y Vida Neighborhood Association from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., offering a chance to learn dance choreographies, develop dance techniques, and enhance coordination skills.
The TEA library will be hosting a sign language workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to provide basic skills for effective communication, promoting inclusion and diversity in our community. In the afternoon, there will be a Skincare workshop at the San Andrés and Ágora Neighborhood Association from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., focusing on basic facial cleansing, toning, and relaxation techniques for promoting skin health.
In the realm of sports events, several initiatives have been organised in Santa Cruz for the weekend to enjoy outdoor activities with the family. On Saturday, the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation will host the Three Lighthouses of Anaga hike and the Valle Brosque circular route as part of the “Anaga on foot 2024” activities.
The Nivaria Mountaineers Club will lead a hike of varying difficulties with 75 participants. The routes will take participants through picturesque locations like Punta del Hidalgo lighthouse, Igueste de San Andrés, and the Anaga Lighthouse. Registrations can be made at nivaria@telefonica.net or by phone 638 654 995.
Another notable event is the Santa Cruz de Tenerife International Meeting at the Tenerife CIAT Athletics Center at 5:00 p.m., featuring sports disciplines such as discus throwing, javelin, length, and weight, with a special tribute to the athlete Víctor M. Teni.
In the cultural sphere, Santa Cruz presents the temporary exhibition “The eternal light of Freemasonry” at the Central Municipal Library of Santa Cruz, running until May 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., dedicated to Freemasonry and showcasing documents related to this international organization.
The Caja Canarias Foundation will host the temporary exhibition “Plastic Creation in the Millares Sall” on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering a unique opportunity to admire contributions by the seven Millares Sall brothers and two sisters in one space.
On the same day, the TEA auditorium will premiere the film “Ama gloria”, depicting a beautiful relationship between a girl and her nanny, awarded internationally. Screenings will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will also be a mini-exhibition titled “Naturally” at the TEA from Saturday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., encouraging reflection on the human-nature relationship.
Explore the city’s heritage through historical tours of iconic locations. On Friday, starting at 10:00 a.m. from the Palacio de Carta, guided tours will provide insights into Tenerife’s history. At 10:00 a.m., guided tours of the Carta Palace will offer a glimpse into one of Santa Cruz’s prominent landmarks.
For botany enthusiasts, guided tours of the Palmetum and García Sanabria Park will be available. Discover the plant varieties in this natural haven from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
**Exploring Santa Cruz: Weekend Events and Festivities**
The second activity scheduled for Friday, lasting from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., is a unique opportunity to delve into the curiosities and history of a prestigious green space in Santa Cruz.
In the realm of music, the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín will be hosting “Petrushka”, Concert T13 by the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, starting at 7:00 p.m., with free admission until full capacity is reached. On both Saturday and Sunday, at 8:00 p.m., Les Grands Ballets Canadiens will captivate performing arts enthusiasts with a double program featuring the shows “Symphony No. 7” (Beethoven), choreographed by Uwe Scholz, and “Cantata” by Mauro Bigonzetti.
Neighbourhoods play a central role in the cultural, social, sporting, recreational, and artistic life of the city. The San Telmo district is celebrating its festivities with a rich program of events. On Friday, at 6:00 p.m., a mass for the deceased will be held at the Hermitage of San Telmo, followed by an exhibition of vintage photographs on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. And on Sunday, at 11:30 a.m., the Unión Artística el Cabo rondalla will perform at the same venue.
Meanwhile, the Almáciga neighbourhood is gearing up for eagerly awaited patron saint festivities, beginning with a holy mass on Friday and continuing with the screening of the Virgin’s arrival video and a procession from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the same day.
As the night falls, a festival will light up the square from 11:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. On Saturday, the celebrations will include holy mass, a procession, and a fireworks display from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., followed by a grand festival from 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Sunday will see a holy mass, procession, and fireworks display from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. followed by an afternoon festival from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
It is worth highlighting that the Autonomous Organization of Culture and the Municipal Library of Santa Cruz have continued their collaboration with FEMETE in offering job orientation workshops, scheduled for this Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the central library.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez emphasizes “the wide array of diverse proposals we provide for the city, aiming to offer activities for both the city centre and the neighbourhoods, ensuring that culture, art, and sports are accessible to all.”
Culture Councillor Santiago Díaz stresses “the importance of maintaining an engaging calendar of activities that consistently piques the interest of citizens, establishing the capital as a prime destination for weekend enjoyment.”
