When and where do the lights go on in Garachico?
According to the published programme outline, events start on 4 December 2026 and the series ends on 6 January 2027. The opening features the unveiling of the nativity scenes (belenes) and the traditional Christmas lights switch-on (encendido navideño).
The town hall has not yet confirmed that the switch-on will take place that day, and there is no time at all. On 7 November 2026 the official website also showed no Christmas programme, and its “Eventos” section was empty.
Little is new. Last year the series ran from 4 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, with the switch-on and the nativity opening on day one, and the outline says this format repeats, with only the edition number going up by one.
The celebrations take place in the old town (Casco Histórico) around the Plaza de la Libertad. The programme details also name the Iglesia de Santa Ana, the Convento de San Francisco and the El Caletón natural pools.
How much does a visit cost?
Visiting costs nothing, according to the programme details. All events are free and open to everyone.
The Espacio Cultural of the Fundación CajaCanarias opens from 3 December to 3 January, according to the same details. They do not say which year is meant, and opening hours are missing too.
Some concerts at the Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias may require a free ticket in advance. If you want to attend a particular concert, it is best to ask the town hall.
How do visitors from the south get to Garachico?
According to festivalesdeespana.com, Garachico is 50 kilometres from Los Cristianos and 60 kilometres from Santa Cruz. By car, you take the TF-5 and TF-42 roads.
Bus travellers change at Puerto de la Cruz onto TITSA line 363 (a guagua, or bus), according to the details. They name no direct service from the south, and nobody has checked the line 363 timetable.
There is parking at the edge of town, and on the busiest days the details advise arriving early. The authorities have so far issued no notices about closures or traffic arrangements.
What is on the programme over the holidays?
In December the organisers expect concerts and parrandas (informal music gatherings) centred on villancicos (Christmas carols). Venues and times for the individual performances are open, and the programme outline says everything must be “confirmed exactly”.
On 31 December comes the XIV San Silvestre garachiquense, described as a night-time fun run in fancy dress. After that the plan is for the campanadas (the midnight bell strokes that mark the new year) and a New Year's Eve party in the square, followed by the XII New Year's Concert on 1 January.
The details describe the Cabalgata de Reyes Magos (the Three Kings parade) in general terms as taking place on 5 January in the late afternoon or evening. That is not confirmed for 2027.
What should visitors know about Garachico?
Before 1706, Garachico was Tenerife's most important trading port. According to Wikipedia, the eruption of the Trevejo volcano began on 5 May 1706 and buried a large part of the town.
The lava shaped the El Caletón natural pools. The rebuilding left an unusually compact historic centre, which the Christmas lights now show off every year.
The programme details recommend the illuminated old town, a walk to the natural pools and the climb to the Mirador de Garachico. They advise warm clothing for the evenings outdoors.
When will the final programme be available?
The Ayuntamiento plans to publish the exact programme towards the end of November 2026. It is then due to appear on the official website and on the Facebook profile of the official website.
Still open are the time of the switch-on, the start time and route of the San Silvestre, and the route of the Cabalgata. Possible closures are not known either.
You can reach the town hall at Plaza de la Libertad 1, 38450 Garachico, on +34 922 830 000 or by email at alcaldia@garachico.es. According to the programme outline, the first item is on 4 December 2026.