Santa Cruz de Tenerife Boosts Christmas Tourism with New Santa Claus Parade

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is launching a new strategy to boost local business this Christmas, highlighted by an exciting addition: a Santa Claus parade. According to Diario de Avisos, the City Council aims to draw more visitors to the city center and surrounding districts, hoping to provide a significant economic lift to the local tourism and hospitality sectors.

This expanded festive schedule is supported by a €500,000 increase in the budget for the Festivals department, which also oversees the city's Carnival and May Festivals. Javier Caraballero, the councilor for the area, explained that this year’s plans go beyond tradition. The events are designed to build momentum ahead of the city’s upcoming role as the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy next year, a title the council hopes will further strengthen the city's appeal to tourists.

The holiday season officially kicks off on November 19 with the lighting of the city’s decorations. The program will feature a mix of classic events—including the traditional reception of the Three Wise Men at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium and their parade on January 5—alongside the new Santa Claus parade on Christmas Eve.

To manage this busy calendar, a team of 21 civil servants, supported by external companies, will oversee operations. By using a public business model, the city ensures that planning remains consistent throughout the year, preventing gaps between major celebrations and keeping the city’s festive momentum going year-round.