La Orotava Kicks Off Christmas With Lights, Giant Nativity

La Orotava is once again embracing the magic of Christmas with a packed program of nearly a hundred cultural, recreational, musical, and sports activities for all ages.

The town is set to celebrate the festive season in a unique atmosphere, where tradition, creativity, and community spirit take center stage. The program was unveiled this Thursday by Mayor Francisco Linares, alongside Festivities Councillor Alexis Pacheco, Commerce Delegate Councillor Deisy Ramos, and Esteban García Morales from the Taoro Nativity Scene Association.

Christmas officially begins this Friday, November 28, with the much-anticipated switching on of the Christmas lights and the opening of the traditional Nativity Scene in the Town Hall Square. This municipal nativity scene is one of the largest in the Canary Islands, featuring around 5,000 pieces and life-sized figures.

On the same day, the bridge on Carrera Escultor Estévez street will host "Tapas with Chestnuts." This food and entertainment event will bring the area to life with music, food, and workshops for making traditional "cacharros" (pots/utensils), as it also marks the eve of St. Andrew's Day.

La Orotava's Christmas lights promise to be a spectacular sight once more. La Carrera street will be completely lit up with arches and a curtain of lights. Because of this, the road will be closed every day from 7:00 PM until January 5.

The display includes over 5,000 meters of string lights, 800 meters of light curtains, about 200 Christmas-themed decorations and archways, and two large photo booths in the Plaza de la Constitución. All the lighting, which will be turned off daily at midnight, uses energy-efficient LED technology.

Among the many activities planned for La Orotava are a Nativity Scene Route, Christmas Fairs in the Plaza de la Constitución, children's shows, storytelling, carol festivals, exhibitions, craft fairs, choral performances, Christmas parties, a youth night, theater, parades, and numerous concerts. These events will fill the streets, squares, and cultural venues with festive cheer. The program caters to all ages and even includes a special Christmas day at the dog park for pets.

Initiatives to boost local businesses are also on offer, such as the popular Christmas Train (running December 11-14 and December 18-21, departing from Plaza de la Paz), street markets, entertainment, competitions for Christmas window displays and building facades, workshops and children's rides, a children's New Year's Eve celebration, and other events designed to create a lively atmosphere and encourage shopping in the town.

The Christmas Fair will run from November 28 to December 14, focusing on decorations. From December 18 to January 5, it will feature crafts and gifts. On January 4, as a traditional prelude to the arrival of the Three Kings, a large charity Roscón de Reyes (Kings' Cake) event will take place from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Avenida Emilio Luque.

To help with parking in the main shopping area (specifically the La Carrera street car park), La Orotava Town Council will give businesses tickets to hand out to customers who make purchases. Businesses will also offer vouchers for children's rides and attractions.

Local neighborhoods and residents' associations are also joining in with various Christmas activities, highlighting the community spirit of these festivities. Traditional events will include the 'Las Posadas' gathering in La Perdoma, with many local children participating, the celebration of Lo Divino, festivals, parties, children's events, chocolate gatherings, and letter collection by the Royal Pages.

The program also features sports activities like tournaments, exhibitions, camps, and charity matches in various disciplines. Additionally, the town will host notable Christmas exhibitions, such as "Inéditos 2025" by Otazzo in Doña Chana Cultural Park, and an exhibition celebrating 42 years of the Christmas Choral Exhibition.

The final days of the festivities will be marked by the exciting arrival of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men from the East. On January 5, their journey will begin at 3:00 PM from Avenida Mercedes Pinto, passing through the town center, Candelaria de Lomo, and La Cancela. They will arrive at the Parish of San Juan Bautista around 3:30 PM, where Mayor Francisco Linares will present them with the magic key that opens all homes. The Kings will remain in the church until 6:30 PM, collecting letters directly from children.

The grand parade of Their Majesties in La Orotava, accompanied by their entourages and many children's characters, will depart at 8:00 PM from Doña Chana Cultural Park, heading to the Town Hall Square for a special presentation and final letter collection. The start of the parade will include a dedicated area for people with reduced mobility, and a section will be noise-free for children with autism or other functional diversities.

Mayor Francisco Linares invites everyone to enjoy each activity, which has been "prepared with care and dedication so that residents and visitors can experience a special Christmas."

During this time, La Orotava transforms into a magical place, perfect for strolling, shopping, enjoying local food and heritage, soaking up the festive atmosphere, exploring the nativity scene route, visiting craft and Christmas product fairs, and attending the children's and main Christmas choral exhibitions, as well as an extraordinary New Year's Eve concert. The Mayor also reminds everyone that these dates are "an opportunity to reflect, share, and be supportive."

La Orotava is establishing itself as one of the most special places in Tenerife to experience Christmas, offering a diverse, welcoming, and tradition-rich agenda that enhances the festive spirit and the town's unique charm.

Esteban García, president of the Taoro Nativity Scene Association, also presented the poster and program for the 18th edition of the Nativity Scene Route. This year, it features twenty-eight nativity scenes spread across the municipality. Visitors can follow the route independently, but several guided options are also available: the 'Beleneando' route for schoolchildren, expected to involve around 1,500 students; 'The path that leads to Bethlehem' route for all groups, offered in Spanish, English, and German; the 'To Bethlehem by bus' route, providing comfortable bus access to nativity scenes outside the city center; and a night route to visit the nativity scenes in the old town after dark. All guided routes will be led by professionals, and it's estimated that over 30,000 people will enjoy these artistic nativity scenes.

The full Christmas events program and the nativity scene route details can be found on the website laorotava.es.