Santa Cruz Doubles Space for 2026 Book Fair
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is expanding its 2026 Book Fair in García Sanabria Park, scheduled for April 30 to May 4, by doubling stand space and extending into the Ramblas to accommodate 26 exhibitors and address previous capacity concerns.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council is moving forward with plans for the 2026 Book Fair, a major cultural event set to take place in García Sanabria Park from April 30 to May 4. The organizers, the Autonomous Body of Culture (OAC), have focused on working closely with publishers and booksellers. Their goal is to address issues from previous years, especially the problem of not having enough space.
According to the city council, the upcoming Book Fair, held in the well-known García Sanabria Park, will feature 26 exhibitors. This includes 17 bookstores and 9 publishers. Additionally, there will be stands for institutions such as the CajaCanarias Foundation, the Cabildo Bookstore, the Canarian Academy of Language, and the OAC itself. To create more room, 15 stands will be located on the Domingo Pérez Minik promenade and 11 on the Rambla de Santa Cruz. This expansion aims to improve the experience for both exhibitors and visitors.
This increased space directly tackles one of the main concerns raised by participants after the 2025 fair: the lack of room. Culture Councilor Santiago Díaz Mejías explained that work on improvements began immediately after the last fair closed. An evaluation meeting on May 26 gathered specific suggestions. In response, the city council has decided to double the area for each stand and extend the fair into the Ramblas area, fulfilling a long-standing request from the sector.
The OAC has managed the planning process, holding several meetings with booksellers and publishers. Their input has been carefully considered and incorporated where technically and organizationally feasible, following agreed-upon criteria. Beyond the space issue, participants also brought up other important points for improving the event, such as parking, clear public information, stand signage, social media strategy, coordination with other city festivities, lighting, and providing bags. These suggestions will be reviewed as part of the fair's budget and logistical planning.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez highlighted the Book Fair's importance as the city's main driver for reading. He emphasized that it is a collaborative project, shaped through ongoing discussions with everyone involved. In line with this, the Culture Councilor reaffirmed the city's commitment to continuously improving the event, ensuring transparency and fair rules for all participants.