- The city throws itself into a holiday season that brings light, fun and excitement for everyone
Christmas in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is always a rich cultural experience for both its residents and the many tourists who visit during this peak season for the Canary Islands. We’ve all seen picture-perfect postcard images of sunbathers on Las Canteras Beach alongside typical Christmas decorations and a Santa or two. And in 2024, the plan the city has put together to ensure the ambience during the holidays is the best possible for everyone will pack an even more emotional punch.
From 28 November to 6 January, the capital of Gran Canaria will be transformed for these iconic festivities, combining religious observance with bustling shopping and holiday experiences, which are especially captivating for children. The city is now bursting with light—natural sunshine and the artificial streams from over three million LEDs that begin to sparkle at dusk, providing the backdrop to an extensive, fun and versatile cultural programme that is suitable for all ages.
Christmas lights
Part of the illuminations includes a total of 1,085,000 energy-efficient micro-LEDs (provided by the prestigious Ximenez Group) that are the main features of light displays programmed from one end of the city to the other. Even the city council’s own lighting system is contributing to this allegorical atmosphere across its districts.
These light and sound shows are held daily at 7.30 p.m. in the square Plaza de Santa Ana (with six luminous figures of angels 12 metres—39 feet—tall), La Puntilla (at the end of Las Canteras Beach where the amazing Sand Nativity Scene is on display) and the square Plaza de España in the shopping area of Avenida Mesa y López. From Thursday to Sunday, the show is repeated at 8.30 p.m.
This packed Christmas schedule, which can be consulted on the website lpacultura.com, is watched over by some special guards: 60 decorative nutcrackers, 1.80 metres (six feet) tall and with three different designs. They have been set up all over the city in its most emblematic places.
The Nativity scenes
The Christmas holidays in the capital of Gran Canaria wouldn’t be the same without the now famous and striking Nativity scenes that attract the gaze and curiosity of thousands of visitors every year. The most celebrated are the Nativity scene in San Telmo Park, at the gates to the Art Nouveau city on the way to the historic centre, and the abovementioned sand sculptures at Las Canteras Beach, created by the top artists in this genre worldwide. Also worth a visit is the themed Nativity scene in the Mata Castle Museum.
Music with tradition
The Christmas programme in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is brimming with entertainment and music, including traditional concerts that are extremely popular with the locals. The folk music band Los Gofiones is giving their annual performance on 23 December in Plaza de Santa Ana. The traditional sounds of Los Gofiones with their Gran Canarian style are an essential part of the city’s celebrations at this time of year. Earlier in the month, on 14 December, music played in a more intimate format takes over some of the most famous courtyards in the heart of the old town of Vegueta. It’s one of the standout and most cherished experiences in the programme.
Another unmissable music event is scheduled for 21 and 22 December in the Sala Sinfónica of the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium when Bach’s Christmas Oratorio will be performed in collaboration with the International Bach Festival. The repertoire will include several of the cantatas sung and played by first-class singers and musicians.
Market and fun in Santa Catalina
The area around the cosmopolitan Santa Catalina Park, which is not far from the cruise ship terminal, is hosting a new Christmas market this year with a funfair and an ice rink. The complex, which includes 70 stalls or wooden huts and a food area, will open on 5 December and also provide activities targeted at families, such as a wide variety of children’s workshops, theatrical performances and concerts.
New Year’s Eve
The Christmas programme in the capital of Gran Canaria is designed to shine bright and be packed full until the end of the festivities. However, some of the events planned are worth highlighting. The city will bid 2024 farewell at the large New Year’s Eve party in the square Plaza de la Música at the northern end of Las Canteras Beach. Starting at 10 p.m. and finishing in the early hours at 5.30 a.m., the event will include concerts, fireworks and a chance to eat some traditional churros, which is how the most dedicated partygoers usually end these long nights of celebrating.
And of course 5 January is one of the most important dates of this holiday season in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is the day the Three Wise Men—Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar—arrive in the Gran Canarian capital with their entourage, forming a large parade through the city centre, before a magical night when they leave toys in the homes of boys and girls that wait excitedly for them to come.
Twelfth Night
But it is not just children who look forward to this date when the Three Kings visit: Twelfth Night in the street Calle Mayor de Triana and its surrounding area is one of the most significant celebrations taking place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at this time. The programme includes concerts in San Bernardo, Alameda de Colón and San Telmo Park. Because the city’s unique and exceptional plan for Christmas offers a wide range of activities right the way through to the end.
Thu 05, Dec - Tue 07, Jan
Castillo de Mata
Thu 05, Dec - Sun 12, Jan
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Fri 29, Nov - Mon 06, Jan , 10:00 - 22:00
Playa de Las Canteras
Wed 11, Dec , 19:00 - 21:30
Museo Elder
Fri 13, Dec , 17:30 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Fri 13, Dec , 21:00 - 22:30
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 14, Dec , 12:00 - 14:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 14, Dec , 17:30 - 19:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sun 15, Dec , 12:00 - 13:30
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sun 15, Dec , 18:30 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Wed 18, Dec , 20:00 - 22:00
Santa Ana Square
Fri 20, Dec , 18:00 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 21, Dec , 12:00 - 13:30
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 21, Dec , 17:30 - 19:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sun 22, Dec , 12:00 - 13:30
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Mon 23, Dec , 17:30 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Thu 26, Dec , 17:30 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Fri 27, Dec , 18:00 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 28, Dec , 12:00 - 14:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 28, Dec , 17:00 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 28, Dec - Mon 30, Dec , 17:00 - 21:30 (Several passes)
Teatro Pérez Galdós
Sat 28, Dec , 17:30 - 19:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sun 29, Dec , 12:00 - 13:30
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Mon 30, Dec , 12:00 - 14:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Thu 02, Jan , 17:30 - 19:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Fri 03, Jan , 18:00 - 20:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 04, Jan , 12:00 - 14:00
Plaza de Canarias (Trasera de Parque Santa Catalina)
Sat 04, Jan , 18:00 - 20:00
Museo Elder
Sun 05, Jan , 12:00 - 13:30
Base Naval
