Tenerife Capital Imposes 11 PM Event Curfew

Tenerife's capital is introducing new rules for concerts and outdoor events, both public and private. From February 1st, these events must finish by 11 PM at the latest.

This new "Noise decree" aims to improve sound quality in the city. It also seeks to balance lively nightlife and entertainment with the need for residents to get a good night's sleep.

However, there will be some exceptions. Major shows held at the Dársena de Los Llanos or the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium are exempt from the 11 PM curfew. So are popular annual events like Carnival, May Festivities, Christmas, and local patron saint festivals in the city's various neighborhoods.

The Department of Environmental Sustainability, led by Carlos Tarife, worked with other city council departments to create this decree. Its main goal is to set clear conditions for all future events and shows in the municipality, ensuring they meet acoustic quality standards.

Mr. Tarife explained that the 11 PM cutoff for concerts in places like the Palmetum, Alameda, Plaza de la Candelaria, or Plaza del Príncipe is considered "appropriate and reasonable." He believes that after a show ends at this time, attendees can still enjoy the city's restaurants and nightlife. If events ran much later, many food establishments would already be closed.

Despite the general rule, only two locations in Santa Cruz will regularly host events past 11 PM: the stadium and the Dársena de los Llanos. These venues have hosted large concerts in recent years, such as Ed Sheeran and various music festivals, because they can accommodate more people and offer better accessibility.

Even for these exceptional venues, the decree sets limits: only three shows per quarter can run past 11 PM, meaning a maximum of ten concerts per year at the port area or Heliodoro. These specific events can continue until 2 AM.

For these special cases, including Carnival, May Festivities, and Christmas, the decree requires event organizers to take steps to minimize noise impact on residents. Specific noise limits will apply: a maximum of 96 decibels (dBA) for general events; 105 dBA for large concerts (over 5,000 people) or Carnival stages; and 85 dBA for quieter acts like children's events. All facilities will also need an acoustic limiter with a recorder to monitor sound levels.

Mr. Tarife highlighted that the new Noise decree achieves several important things. It aims to counter the idea that Santa Cruz lacks vibrancy, while also boosting the music industry, creating jobs, and stimulating the economy for local restaurants and nightlife businesses. He noted that this regulation was developed in agreement with neighborhood organizations, whose residents now have clarity that events will end by 11 PM.

Event promoters approved by the City Council must adhere to these new noise level conditions and also obtain authorization from the Urban Planning Department. Failure to comply, or unexpected actions like launching fireworks, could result in significant fines ranging from 15,000 to 60,000 euros, as per the Classified Activities law.

Under the new decree, Carnival events, including decorated cars and floats, will be concentrated in Plaza de España, its surroundings, and the port area. The Festivities department will assess the noise impact of these setups and advocate for creating unified sound zones with a monitoring plan.

Looking ahead, Santa Cruz aims to establish a large "safe" nightlife zone, potentially located at the Dársena de Los Llanos or the Fishing Dock in the port. Carlos Tarife, the First Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Public Services, supports creating this new space, complete with public transport, to house terraces, nightclubs, and dining areas. The goal is to ensure that young people in the municipality don't have to travel to the south of the island for entertainment.

Mr. Tarife, who describes himself as a "defender of nightlife," believes that as the city expands with the Port Authority, a dedicated and safe nightlife zone will be necessary to balance entertainment with residents' peace. If this initiative goes forward, concerts and events held in this new area might not have a maximum time limit. However, the 11 PM rule will still apply to events in other public spaces across the municipality starting next month. He emphasized that the Noise decree brings "sense" to events in the city center, ensuring they finish at a "reasonable hour, eleven at night."