Christmas nativity route through the historic city center of La Laguna

The City Council of La Laguna is promoting a route of nativity scenes that invites citizens to visit these displays in various emblematic buildings the municipality. 

The itinerary starts at the Casa de los Capitanes (House of the Captains), in Calle Obispo Rey Redondo, 5, with a biblical nativity scene that opens its doors this Friday, December 6, at 12:00 hours, made by the Board of Brotherhoods of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and can be visited until January 7: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., except on December 24 and 31, when it will open only in the morning. On December 25 and January 1 it will remain closed.

The next stop is the Nativity of the Aguere 70 Scout Group in the Casa Mesa (down a side from Calle Viana), open from December 15 to January 6, and can be visited from Monday to Saturday, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Another point on this tour is the nativity of the Parroquia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción (Parish of Our Lady of the Conception), Plaza de la Concepción, 10, 38201 San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It will be open from December 8 to January 8, while its hours will be: Mondays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The headquarters of the Real Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País de Tenerife (Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife) [ED: Tenerife is a country? News to me!], on Calle San Agustín, 23, will open its nativity scene from December 16 to January 3, from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. On December 24 and 31 it will be closed.

The tour also includes the biblical nativity scene of the Hogar del Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna (Old Folks Home), on Viana Street, 64. It can be seen from December 8 to January 7, every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Finally, the Cathedral of La Laguna, in the Plaza de Los Remedios, will show a holographic nativity scene whose projections will take place from December 10 to January 7, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

El Ayuntamiento de La Laguna elabora una ruta navideña de belenes por el centro histórico de la ciudad

Carnival Queen Candidate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019 Thalía María Ruíz Martín

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Thalía María Ruíz Martín in a costume entitled "SUBLIME", designed by Jonathan Suárez López and representing Gabinete de Estética África & Vicky.

Thalía María Ruíz Martín | Gala de la Reina | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Turrón de gofio (Gofio nougat) recipe for a Canarian Christmas

Turrón de gofio (Gofio nougat)

There are many ways to eat the Canarian staple, gofio (here are nine others), but in the run up to Christmas, what better way than as the traditional, seasonal sweet, turrón.

Ingredients:

100 gr gofio de millo (corn gofio)
75 gr of honey
125 gr ground almonds
50 gr of sugar

Method:

1. Toast the gofio in a nonstick pan over a low heat, stirring. Once toasted remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, put the sugar in a saucepan on the heat and allow it to caramelize. When the sugar acquires caramel texture, add the ground almonds and stir for a few minutes.
3. Place baking paper into the mold you have chosen for the preparation of this nougat (you can use a rectangular silicone mold or half of a simple milk brick).
4. Pour the almond and caramel mixture onto the baking paper, and let cool slightly.
5. When it is cool enough to handle, add the gofio and honey and knead so that it is well integrated.
6. Put the dough back into the mold lined with baking paper, flatten the entire surface, cover with more baking paper and place in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Translated from: Turrón de gofio: 2 recetas de Navidad canaria

Tenerife Fiestas in December 2019

A huge array of Christmas sweets

In December 2019 there is a national public holiday on Friday 6 December for Día de la Constitución Española (Constitution Day). 8 December - Inmaculada Concepción (The Immaculate Conception) - already falls on a Sunday. This weekend traditionally sees Christmas decorations being put up in homes in Spain. 

There are no municipal public holidays in December 2019.

The holiday period will kick off with El Gordo (The Fat One), the Spanish Christmas Lottery, which is drawn on 22 December, with kids singing out the numbers. 

Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December is a public holiday. For Canarians, this is often recovery day after a big family gathering on Christmas Eve that involved a whole barbequed goat kid and lots of turrón and other traditional Christmas sweets.

On 28 December, beware of El Día de Los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Innocent Saints), when the press will publish even more fake news than usual.

On 31 December, get ready to party in brand new clothes. Underneath, you'll need red underwear. And see in the New Year by eating twelve Uvas de la suerte (lucky grapes), one on each chime of the clock at midnight - washed down by cava. 

Third Matron of Honour in Santa Cruz 2019 María Dolores Miranda Pérez

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

María Dolores Miranda Pérez, with the fantasy "Castilla" (Castile), designed by Alexis Santana Rodríguez, representing the Santa Úrsula Open Shopping Area

María Dolores Miranda Pérez | Gala de la reina de los mayores | Carnaval SC Tenerife 2019

Candidate for Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019 Miriam Alberto Arteaga

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Eleven year old Miriam Alberto Arteaga appears in a costume entitled, "ALADA" (Movement made by birds raising and lowering their wings), designed by Juan Carlos Armas Febles and representing Bailando Producciones and Danzarines Canarios. 

Miriam Alberto Arteaga | Gala Reina Infantil | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Comparsa Río Orinoco

One of my favourite components of carnival, comparsas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are said to be similar to the Brazillian Carnival Blocks, but actually appear to have more in common with the dancing, marching and drumming Samba Schools that have a strong community basis and are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood.

Founded in 1988, Comparsa Río Orinoco have their home in the district of La Higuerita in San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

Río Orinoco | Comparsas adultas | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Find out more about Santa Cruz Carnival 2020, which will take to the streets between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020. 

Carnival Queen Candidate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019 Carolina Izquierdo Vera

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Carolina Izquierdo Vera in a costume entitled, "S.O.S. ANTÁRTIDA" (S.O.S. ANTARCTICA), designed by Zara Díaz Mendoza and representing 5 Océanos.

Carolina Izquierdo Vera | Gala de la Reina | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2019

Senior Carnival Queen Candidate in Santa Cruz 2019 Agustina María Rodríguez González

Whether looking back once more at Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2019, or forward towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2020 - which takes place between Friday, 21st February 2020 and Sunday, 1st March 2020 - we can't resist another look at the candidates who aspired to become carnival queens in 2019.

Agustina María Rodríguez González appears in a costume entitled, "REFLEJOS DE LUNA" (Reflections of the Moon), designed by David Hernández Páez, representing Arico Town Hall.

Agustina María Rodríguez González | Gala de la reina de los mayores | Carnaval SC Tenerife 2019

Tenerife Fiestas in November 2019

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The month starts with a National Public Holiday on the 1st November for Todos los Santos (All Saints Day), when people lay flowers on the graves of deceased relatives. There are few religious days that mean quite so much to the people of Spain and the Canary Islands and more flowers are sold for All Saints Day than for Valentines Day. 

The biggest event in the annual rally calendar, the Isle of Tenerife Rally, takes place this year on Saturday 16 November 2019. There are also two hillclimbs in the month; Icod-La Guancha on 2 November and San Miguel on 23 November.



Rally Isla Tenerife 2018

The only municipal holiday is 25 November for the Festival of Santa Catalina in Tacoronte. 

The biggest celebrations are on 29 November on the Eve of San Andrés (Saint Andrew's Day), in Icod de los Vinos with their Tablas de San Andrés and in Puerto de la Cruz with the Fiesta del cacharro y la castaña (Fiesta of the pots and chestnuts).