Santa Cruz to Light Up Nov 20 with 4.58 Million LEDs

Santa Cruz de Tenerife will switch on its Christmas lights on November 20 at 7:30 PM, marking the start of the 2025-2026 Christmas season. The city's Public Services and Festivities department is responsible for the display, which will feature 4,580,000 LED bulbs.

This year's lights cost 900,000 euros and will illuminate over 400 spots across the city. The display includes 2,172 decorations on lampposts, 119 arches stretching across streets, more than 92,000 meters of garlands, and 86 ground-level features.

The city has added more lights to important access roads like Benito Pérez Armas, Manuel Hermoso Rojas, and Príncipes de España, as well as Francisco La Roche avenue near San Carlos Barracks and San Telmo square. Commercial streets such as Rambla Pulido, El Pilar street, and Villalba Hervás will also see more lighting. For the first time, Álvarez de Lugo street and Islas Canarias and Ángel Romero avenues will be lit up.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez said that "Christmas lights are a key part of Santa Cruz's identity during this time of year. They help make the city a place for people to meet, enjoy together, and boost the economy. This year, we've focused on adding more lights to neighborhoods and city entrances so that everyone across the municipality can feel the Christmas spirit."

Carlos Tarife, the Councillor for Public Services, Strategic Planning, and Environmental Sustainability, noted that "all the lights use energy-efficient LED technology. This means we can have more and better lighting without using more electricity. We've been working since July to make Christmas more sustainable, accessible, and consistent across all districts."

Javier Caraballero, the Councillor for Festivities, added that "Christmas is one of the most anticipated times in Santa Cruz. We want both residents and visitors to find the city welcoming, lively, and engaging. The lights are just the beginning of a wide range of festive events, planned for families to enjoy and for traditional street celebrations in our capital."

At Plaza del Príncipe, special supports have been put in place to hang decorations without harming the old trees. New decorations include a 25-meter-tall Christmas tree near Plaza de España and a 10x10 meter light-up ball in Plaza del Patriotismo. Other festive figures will also be placed in various squares and important locations around the capital.

Each district will have its own festive display:

• Anaga will have 6 arches, 228 decorations, and 15 ground features, spread across its towns and busy areas.
• The Southwest district will see 335 decorations and 3 ground features along its main roads and community spaces.
• Ofra-Costa Sur will feature 391 decorations, 4,800 meters of garlands, and 3 ground features.
• Salud – La Salle will be adorned with 290 decorations, 28,000 meters of garlands, and 8 ground features.
• The Centro-Ifara district will have the largest display, with 103 arches, 895 decorations, 56,400 meters of garlands, and 46 ground features.

The City Council noted that the Christmas lights are just one part of the season's plans. These also include cultural events, children's activities, concerts, fairs, and efforts to boost business in various neighborhoods and areas. The main goal is to encourage community involvement and make the streets a lively place for people to gather, enjoy, and celebrate throughout the festive period.