La Laguna Saves €2 Million with New Owned Christmas Lights

La Laguna is set to sparkle this Christmas with a new lighting system that will save the council almost two million euros compared to renting decorations.

Councillor for Municipal Services, Fran Hernández, explained that owning the Christmas lights, rather than renting them, is a smart move. "It's a game-changer for how we manage lighting," he said. "It's a smart investment that saves money, brings stability, and shows our commitment to being sustainable."

Hernández added that this new approach gives them more control. "We can decide exactly how, when, and where we light up our city. We can tailor the designs to La Laguna's unique character and make things more efficient every year."

This year, all the Christmas decorations belong to the council, bought gradually over the past few years. Hernández believes the savings will allow for better use of public money and more lights in the future.

The theme for this year's lights is "La Laguna, the Christmas Sky," inspired by the Canary Islands' famous clear skies, ideal for stargazing. The designs blend tradition with new technology, reflecting the stars and constellations that connect to the city's history. Over six million LED lights, chosen for their low energy use and long life, will light up the streets.

The council's strategy is all about responsible, long-term planning. They're updating some decorations while reusing existing ones, thanks to good maintenance. "Investing in what we own is investing in the future," Hernández stated. "We're not just cutting costs; we're improving the city's look and creating local jobs for installation and upkeep."

This year, 397 new decorations and 190 light curtain boxes are being added, making the lighting more widespread and even across the main streets and squares. This reinforces the council's sustainable approach, mixing new items with reused ones for a more modern and efficient display.

The new lights are designed to last seven to ten years. After that, they can be repaired and adapted to fit existing structures, extending their use without needing full replacement. This reusability offers further savings by reducing future investment and installation costs.

The new lights are already being installed in various parts of the city. Highlights include decorations on Herradores, San Agustín, and Obispo Rey Redondo streets, as well as in the squares of the Cathedral, Concepción, and Doctor Olivera. Lights are also going up on Barcelona, El Juego, 6 de Diciembre, and Eduardo Torriani streets. New designs will appear on Viana and Deán Palahí streets, and a lighting arch is being added to Obispo Rey Redondo street.

Beyond making the city look festive, the project aims to boost the historic centre's appeal for shoppers and visitors. The lights will turn La Laguna's streets into a vibrant visual experience, complementing shopping, leisure, and dining during the holidays, and supporting the local economy.

In financial terms, this new system has significantly cut down on rental and external maintenance costs, saving an estimated two million euros compared to previous years. This approach, now well-established in La Laguna, allows the council to recover the costs of recent investments while balancing efficiency, sustainability, and tourist appeal.

"La Laguna is proving once again that responsible management is possible without losing the beauty and magic of the season," said the councillor. "Christmas lights are a beloved tradition for our residents and visitors, and this year they will once again transform our streets into a place for people to gather, enjoy, and feel proud."

With installations underway and new decorations arriving, La Laguna is gearing up for its Christmas lights switch-on, an event eagerly anticipated by many, marking the start of Christmas with a blend of tradition, sustainability, and festive spirit.