Beginning on November 20, Plaza del Cristo will transform into the ‘Christmas Square‘ of La Laguna, serving as the primary venue for concerts, recreational and culinary activities, as well as the grand New Year’s Eve celebration, among other festivities. This initiative is one of the key highlights of the Christmas programme, which was unveiled this Wednesday by the Festival Councillor, Dailos González, accompanied by several members of the Corporation.
The announcement occurred in front of the giant Santa Claus figure located in Plaza de La Concepción, a symbol reinstated last year by La Laguna City Council, reviving a tradition that has existed since the late 1950s. The event featured live musical performances that serve as a testament to the contributions of local folk groups, responding to this year’s festival theme: the Divine of La Laguna Christmas, as explained by the councillor.
Dailos González noted that the City Council has focused on Plaza del Cristo for the past two years “as a gathering place and following the success from previous years, we wish for it to remain the focal point of Christmas,” featuring children’s activities, bouncy castles, play zones, food and drink stalls, DJ sessions, and various leisure activities in this area.
Moreover, the major musical acts will migrate for the first time from Plaza de La Concepción to Plaza del Cristo, where performances by groups such as Los Sabandeños, Achamán, and Cantadores are scheduled; alongside the grand end-of-year celebration featuring acts by Los Kadetes, Combo Dominicano, David Pérez, Orquesta Revelación, and Grupo Nueva Latina.
On Monday, December 23, the Santa Claus Parade will occur, “a tradition that was reinstated last year after over sixty years of absence and which distinctly characterises these festivities,” asserted the councillor.
“Once again, The Three Wise Men have chosen La Laguna as their operational base in the Canary Islands and will reside, with their entourage, in Parque de la Constitución to prepare the gifts,” he disclosed. The doors of this centre, which will offer a broad array of children’s activities, will be open from December 26 to January 4.
On January 5, a new addition will be introduced regarding the welcoming of the Three Wise Men; Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar will depart at 12:00 noon together with their royal courts from Plaza del Adelantado to Plaza de La Concepción, gathering letters from children along the route. Upon arriving at the tower, the mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, will present them with the key to the city, allowing them access to all homes on the most magical night of the year.
The Three Kings Parade, one of the oldest in Spain, will commence at 6:00 p.m. from Plaza del Cristo, following the customary route through the city centre. “We persist in our commitment to offer an inclusive and sustainable Christmas,” stated Dailos González, announcing that the parade “will again feature a noise-free zone at the beginning of the parade and a designated area for individuals with mobility needs in Plaza del Adelantado.”
The councillor also emphasised that the representation of the Car of the Three Wise Men of Tejina, on the evening of January 5, will be conducted for the first time following its recognition as an Asset of Cultural Interest, granted this year.
