Culture at its best forms an integral part of weekend life in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This dynamic and lively city presents an extensive array of artistic and entertainment opportunities designed to delight the entire family, running from Friday to Sunday.
What could be a better way to commence your cultural adventure than by exploring the magnificent Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA)? Here, visitors can experience the exhibition “The smoke of progress. The La Palma gang, its era and recovery”, which educates attendees on this remarkable vessel through engaging narrative units. The museum operates Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 19:00, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 17:00.
On Friday 30th and Saturday 31st August, and Sunday 1st September, between 10:00 and 20:00, you can explore the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) Oscar Dominguez’s exhibition “The two who cross paths”.
This exhibition, dedicated to the surrealist artist, has been curated by Isidro Hernandez and remains open to the public until 24 November. Additionally, this venue will showcase another exhibition titled “Doble ciego” (Double Blind) by artist Adrián Alemán, accessible free of charge on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00.
Throughout the weekend, from 10:00 to 20:00, the TEA will also feature the mini-exhibition named “Naturally”, designed for children, young individuals, and families, focusing on the connection between humans and the natural world and reflecting on the impact they’ve made on it.
The TEA showcases the work “AND” by Nela Ochoa, an artist with backgrounds in design, painting, and dance. Her creations delve into the relationships between art, the human body, societal events, and technology. This exhibition is available for viewing during the weekend from 10:00 to 20:00.
The TEA continues to play a pivotal role in the cultural offerings of the city with the exhibition “Orocobix. Memory of the first mountain”, presented by artist Jorge González. This display is a confluence of forms, intentions, aspirations, productions, and textiles, interacting amongst various entities. Visitors can see it from 10:00 to 20:00.
Central Municipal Library
The Central Municipal Library is presenting the exhibition “Santa Cruz Spa. 500 meters from the beach” until 18 October, from 12:30 to 19:00. This exhibition features a selection of documents related to the former spa, contextualised within the historical port area, shedding light on its social and athletic aspects from 1928, the year its construction was proposed, to 1992, when it was shut down.
The Central Municipal Library also emphasises the cinematic genre with a selection of 28 films “based on true events” alongside interpretations that align with their artistic vision.
This Friday, from 09:00 to 10:00, a job search workshop will be held as part of the Comprehensive Employment Guidance Plans for unemployed residents in the municipality. Additionally, an activity titled “Family Stories” featuring Antonio Conejo is scheduled for this Friday at the Central Municipal Library from 17:00 to 18:30.
The Museum of Nature and Archaeology will present the installation “Ethology in stillness” throughout the weekend, from 09:00 to 20:00, reflecting on the consequences of human presence on the Earth, inspired by the confinement period in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
The spirit of Carnival is ever-present in Santa Cruz. What could be better than a visit to the Casa del Carnaval, which showcases three exhibitions celebrating our carnivals? The first exhibition, “The magic behind the costume,” focuses on the Costume Competition, featuring two examples that highlight its evolution.
Miguel Ángel Delgado Salas, renowned for his numerous awards, represents the individual costume competition, whilst the group Los Ilusionistas del Carnaval exemplifies the group costume contest. This exhibition can be found in the Multipurpose Room from 10:00 to 18:30.
Another exhibition titled “Lyric and Tradition” is dedicated to the rondallas and lyrical groups, allowing the public to discover the history and development of these organisations and view some of the creative outfits that continue to compete. This can also be visited in the Suspi Room during the same hours as the previous exhibition.
The final exhibition is the permanent display “2024 Carnival Award Winners”, showcasing costumes and outfits from groups, ensembles, collectives, and queens of the 2024 Carnival, including the attire of the three Carnival Queens and those from the murgas, comparsas, and musical groups that won accolades in 2024.
Furthermore, the new “Pioneers Showcase” features documentary elements belonging to Nicolás Mingorance, a distinguished lyricist from Afilarmónica Ni Fú Ni Fá, who recently passed away. This exhibition can be viewed on Fridays from 10:00 to 20:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00.
This Friday, from 12:00 to 13:00, the Casa del Carnaval will host a guided tour to explore the intricacies of Carnival, concluding with the children’s activity “Tabú Carnavalero” or “Pinturillo Carnavalero”, where they can display their knowledge of the island’s most renowned carnival.
The plant known as “cat’s tail” and the repercussions stemming from humanity’s relentless demand for resources inspired “Invasores”, an exhibition by artist Pilar Boullosa, which is currently displayed at the Sala de Arte Contemporáneo. Comprising various installation pieces, this exhibition is available for viewing from Monday to Friday until 30 September from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.
The El Tanque Cultural Space is showcasing the exhibition by Tahiche Díaz titled “The Anger of Creatures”. This exhibition can be enjoyed from Monday to Sunday from 12:00 to 20:00. The former warehouse has been transformed into a circus as a metaphor to reflect on sustainability and seek forgiveness from the living beings being mistreated.
This Saturday, children can enjoy themselves from 10:00, as the Nuestra Señora de África Market will turn into a playground featuring bouncy castles, video games, and various entertainment options.
This Saturday at 20:00, the cultural centre in San Andrés will host the performance “The Gospel according to Juan Ga Gá”. This rendition, based on the famous Mexican singer Juan Ga, incorporates beautiful parables about diversity, featuring a virtuous sex worker and, of course, a manipulative and treacherous Judas.
This interpretation challenges homophobia and sexism. The same venue will present on Sunday from 19:30 to 20:30, “Insomnia of a Midsummer Night”, a play narrating the plight of a couple unable to sleep, beset by loneliness that amplifies their longing for each other and a growing resentment born from their insomnia. Additionally, this Sunday, from 12:30 to 13:30, the José Saramago library in Añaza will offer a workshop on Breastfeeding, conducted by health professionals from the maternal-child health department of the Añaza Health Centre.
The Youth District activities provide an ideal combination of fun and education. Thus, this Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00, the Afur-Taganana trail is on the agenda. On Saturday, from 18:00 to 21:00, giant board games will be featured at the Casa de la Juventud Mascareño.
In addition to this event programme, the Summer 2024 Sports Campaign has been running since last July and continues through August and September. Its main components are swimming courses, the Multi-Sport Campus, and the first-time celebration of an inclusive campus for children with disabilities at the Las Delicias sports complex.
