When do the lights come on in Garachico in 2026?
The Ayuntamiento (town hall) of Garachico has not yet published its 2026 Christmas programme. Its official website recently showed no Christmas section and no upcoming event.
The date of 4 December 2026 rests on last year's pattern. For 2025/26 the town hall gave the period 4 December to 6 January, but gave no date for the Encendido.
An events directory also lists 4 December to 6 January for 2026/27, yet gives 3 December in its page header. Nobody has resolved that contradiction, and neither the town hall nor the directory names a time for the Encendido.
Friday 4 December 2026 is the date in question. The directory expects the exact programme with times towards the end of November on the official website, but the town hall has not confirmed this itself.
Some calendars give 31 December as the end date, which fits only the San Silvestre. For 2025/26 the town hall named 6 January as the end of the Christmas season.
What is on the programme?
For 2025/26 the town hall announced the opening of the Belenes (nativity scenes) and the traditional Encendido. Concerts and Parrandas followed across the municipality, with Villancicos (Christmas carols) at the centre.
On 31 December the XIII San Silvestre garachiquense was scheduled, along with the Campanadas (the New Year chimes) and the Fiesta Fin de Año. The XI New Year concert followed on 1 January.
According to the directory, the San Silvestre is a night-time fun run in fancy dress. The Campanadas then follow in the square, with an orchestra and festivities into the night.
The directory says the Cabalgata (parade) of the Three Kings winds through the old town on 5 January, in the late afternoon and evening. That date applies to the 2025/26 edition and is only a projection for 2026/27.
For 2026/27 the directory lists the XIV San Silvestre and the XII New Year concert. That fits the running count, but it is not official confirmation.
What does a visit cost, and where is the celebration?
According to the directory, all events are free and open to everyone. The exception is registration for the San Silvestre, whose fee and procedure are not given.
Some concerts at the Espacio Cultural CajaCanarias may need a free ticket in advance. Which concerts that covers is not known.
According to the directory, the Espacio Cultural of the Fundación CajaCanarias is open from 3 December to 3 January. Opening hours and programme are missing.
The directory names the Iglesia de Santa Ana, the Convento de San Francisco and the Plaza de la Libertad in 38450 Garachico as the main venues. The venues for individual items have not been published.
The Ayuntamiento organises the events together with the Fundación CajaCanarias and local associations. No information on costs or funding turned up.
How do holidaymakers from the south get to Garachico?
According to travelprofy.com, Garachico lies 50 kilometres from Los Cristianos, and according to Wikipedia 60 kilometres from Santa Cruz. Drivers take the TF-5 and the TF-42, says canarias-lovers.com.
There is parking at the edge of the town. On busy days, drivers should arrive early.
TITSA bus route 363 runs from Puerto de la Cruz. The timetable and evening services are unchecked, so anyone planning an evening out should sort out the journey back beforehand.
The town hall can be reached on +34 922 83 00 00 and at alcaldia@garachico.es. No official practical advice on getting there or parking turned up.
Where does Garachico fit in, and what happens next?
Garachico is among the late dates on Tenerife, and a 2025 overview of Canary switch-ons does not list it. That overview has Santa Cruz and Guía de Isora lighting up on 20 November, Icod de los Vinos on 3 December and Tegueste on 5 December.
According to citypopulation.de, citing INE, the town has 4,940 inhabitants (2025). The Trevejo volcano destroyed the main port of the Canary Islands on 5 May 1706, and Garachico then became a small fishing village.
Next comes publication of the programme, which the directory expects towards the end of November. The sources show no rule changes or deadlines for residents, so a look at the official website is worthwhile in early December.