Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Regulate Street Performances and Launch Choral Festival

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is changing how it manages its public spaces. The City Council’s Autonomous Body for Culture (OAC) has begun creating new rules for street musicians—a move long requested by performers who want to balance their art with the needs of local residents.

Culture Councilor Santiago Díaz-Mejías plans to meet with representatives of these artists before the end of the year. The city’s goal is twofold: to provide musicians with designated spots equipped with electricity and platforms, and to create a clear permit and scheduling system. This will give performers legal protection and ensure that street music is managed consistently, rather than relying on unpredictable police intervention. By following the example of other major European cities, Santa Cruz hopes to turn live music into a positive, organized feature of the urban landscape.

The success of this plan will depend on the City Council’s budget and its ability to meet the technical requirements suggested by the artists. Beyond this, the OAC is planning an ambitious cultural project: a national and international choral festival. The event aims to make Santa Cruz a hub for vocal music by using the city’s historic churches, theaters, and squares as venues.

Ultimately, these new regulations aim to resolve the tension between the public’s right to rest and the need for cultural expression. By formalizing street performances, the City Council hopes to move away from spontaneous, unregulated activity and instead create a structured cultural scene that benefits both the artists and the community.