19
Nov
Santa Cruz Christmas lights switch-on
Thursday, 19 November 2026 · at 19:30
Plaza de La Candelaria: live music, switch-on by the mayor, Christmas carol concert. Artists not yet announced.
© Francisco de Frias · Unsplash
Key dates
Checked on 21 October 2026
20
Nov
La Laguna Christmas lights switch-on
Friday, 20 November 2026
In the historic centre, around Plaza de La Concepción. Time not yet announced.
24
Dec
Nochebuena, Christmas Eve
Thursday, 24 December 2026
The big family dinner. In Tegueste, the Nochebuena Campesina celebrates it the country way; 2026 venue and time not yet published.
24
Dec
Santa Claus parade in Santa Cruz
Thursday, 24 December 2026
First edition, designed for the little ones, with surprises, on Christmas Eve. Time and route not yet published.
25
Dec
Christmas concert at the port of Santa Cruz
Friday, 25 December 2026
Every 25 December at the port of Tenerife; in 2025 tickets cost €5. Exact venue, time and 2026 ticketing not yet published.
31
Dec
Nochevieja, New Year’s Eve
Thursday, 31 December 2026
Tradition: twelve grapes, one at each stroke of midnight. Town programmes not yet published.
5
Jan
Three Kings parade (Cabalgata)
Tuesday, 5 January 2027
Santa Cruz (the Kings first arrive at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium, then parade), La Orotava and El Sauzal hold their cabalgata on the eve of Epiphany. 2027 routes and times not yet published.
6
Jan
Día de Reyes, gift day
Wednesday, 6 January 2027
A public holiday in Spain: gifts are opened and the roscón is shared.
Not published yet
The full 2026-2027 Christmas programmes (Garachico, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava, Los Realejos) have not been published by the town halls yet. We add them here as soon as they appear, from official sources. Nothing is guessed.
What is the weather like at Christmas?
December is mild: you can have lunch outside in the south on the 25th, but a jacket helps in the evening and in the north.
Temperature
17 to 22°C
Sea
≈ 19°C
Rain
35 to 60 mm
UV
4 to 5
On Teide, winter is another world: frost at night, possible snow, road sometimes closed. Check the bulletin before going up.
Teide weather bulletin →
Christmas traditions in Tenerife
✨ The lights
Towns switch on their lights in mid-November. Santa Cruz lights the streets of its five districts; La Laguna and La Orotava turn their historic centres into a festive set.
🛖 Belenes (nativity scenes)
The nativity scene comes before the tree. They appear in squares, churches and town halls, and Santa Cruz runs a belén contest every year. Some are living nativities.
🎶 Villancicos and parrandas
Carols ring out in churches and streets, with guitars, timples and percussion. Carol concerts are free in most towns.
🍽️ Nochebuena (24 December)
The real Christmas dinner is on the evening of the 24th, with family, before midnight mass (misa del gallo). The 25th is quieter.
🍇 Nochevieja (31 December)
Twelve grapes with the twelve strokes of midnight: one wish per grape. Santa Cruz and the southern resorts see in the new year outdoors.
The Three Kings (Reyes Magos): the real gift day
In Spain, and so in Tenerife, it is not 25 December but the Three Kings, Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, who bring children their presents, in the night of 5 to 6 January. Santa Claus exists too, but the Reyes remain the big family moment.
✉️ The letter
Before Christmas, children write to the Three Kings with what they hope for.
👑 5 January: the Cabalgata
In the evening the Three Kings parade on floats, with musicians and performers, and throw sweets to the crowd. Santa Cruz and La Orotava hold a cabalgata. Streets on the route are closed: arrive early.
👞 The night of 5 to 6
Children leave their shoes in the living room, with water and food for the Kings and their camels.
🎁 6 January: the gifts
Waking up, the presents are there. It is a public holiday: families gather and eat roscón de Reyes.
🥐 The roscón de Reyes
A ring-shaped brioche with candied fruit. It hides a figurine (the king) and a dried bean: whoever finds the bean pays for the roscón.
Visitor tip: the evening of 5 January is the liveliest night of the year for families. On the 6th almost everything is closed; sales usually start the day after.
What people eat at Christmas
Festive tables, pastries and seasonal sweets:
🍰 Truchas
Sweet turnovers filled with sweet potato or angel hair jam, a Canarian Christmas classic.
🍬 Turrón, mazapán, polvorones
Almond sweets from all over Spain, on every table from December.
🥐 Roscón de Reyes
The Three Kings brioche, sold in every bakery in early January.
Practical tips for visitors
- On 24 and 31 December many shops and restaurants close early; on 25 December, 1 and 6 January most are closed. Book your meals.
- Public holidays to note: 8 December (Immaculate Conception), 25 December, 1 January and 6 January.
- December is in high demand from visitors escaping the European winter: book accommodation and a rental car early.
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Frequently asked questions
When are the Christmas lights switched on in Tenerife?
In Santa Cruz, on Thursday 19 November 2026 at 7:30 pm, Plaza de La Candelaria. In La Laguna, on Friday 20 November (time not yet announced).
When is the Three Kings parade in Tenerife?
On Tuesday 5 January 2027, the eve of Epiphany. Santa Cruz and La Orotava each hold a parade. 2027 routes and times are not yet published.
When are gifts given in Spain?
Mostly on 6 January, Three Kings Day. Santa Claus (Papá Noel) exists, but the tradition remains the Reyes Magos.
What is the weather like in Tenerife at Christmas?
Around 17 to 22°C, with the sea at 19°C. The south is sunniest; the north is cloudier. On Teide it can freeze and snow.
Do I need to book for Christmas in Tenerife?
Yes: December is peak season for visitors. Book accommodation, a car and your 24 and 31 December meals in advance.
All the December festivals
Find the dated festivals of December and January, updated as the town halls publish.
See the December festivals →