Three eclipses, one stage: Why TLP Tenerife suddenly becomes an astronomical hotspot

Imagine standing in the middle of a hall full of gamers, cosplayers and tech enthusiasts – and suddenly you're travelling into the heart of the sun. That's exactly what will happen on 18 July 2026 at TLP Tenerife. The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) is taking over the main stage to talk about something that will affect all of us in the Canary Islands and across Spain: three solar eclipses in just 18 months.

The "Trío de Eclipses" is not a marketing gimmick, but a real, scientifically extraordinary sequence. It starts with a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, followed by another total eclipse on 2 August 2027, and ends with an annular eclipse on 26 January 2028. Spain, and with it the Canary Islands, will become one of the world's most important observation points – and the IAC is at the centre of the action.

What awaits you on the main stage

The IAC roundtable is not a dry lecture for astronomy nerds. It is a public event on the biggest stage of TLP Tenerife, explicitly designed for a broad audience. The organisers promise a mix of science, technology and outreach – and they have brought in some prominent names to deliver it.

Valentín Martínez Pillet, the director of the IAC, leads the national telescope network that will study the solar corona during the eclipses. He will explain why these three events are so special and how scientists from all over the world are preparing for them. Alejandra Goded, an astrophysicist and science communicator at the IAC, will translate the complex physics into images and stories that everyone can understand. And then there is Quantum Fracture, one of Spain's most popular science YouTubers, who will bring his signature style of making the universe accessible and entertaining. The moderation is in the hands of Verónica Martín, ensuring the conversation flows and the audience stays engaged.

The NATE project: When students become eclipse hunters

A central part of the talk will be the NATE project, an initiative that connects scientists, students and communities across Spain. The idea is simple but powerful: instead of just watching the eclipses, people should actively participate in observing and documenting them. Schools, amateur astronomers and local groups will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to contribute to real scientific research.

This is where the TLP audience comes in. The festival is full of young, tech-savvy people who are exactly the kind of participants NATE is looking for. The roundtable will likely be a call to action: get involved, learn how to observe safely, and become part of a nationwide scientific adventure. It fits perfectly with the national "Trío de Eclipses" programme, which emphasises open digital resources, safe observation practices and activities for all ages.

TLP Tenerife: More than just a LAN party

If you have never been to TLP Tenerife, you might imagine a dark hall full of glowing screens and the smell of energy drinks. And yes, that part exists. The LAN area runs 24 hours a day from 14 to 19 July, with tournaments, esports and hardcore gaming. But the public area, called Summer-Con, is a completely different world.

From 15 to 19 July, the Recinto Ferial transforms into a vibrant festival of pop culture, technology and creativity. There are cosplay contests, K-Pop dance battles, workshops for crafts and board games, meet-and-greets with content creators, and an entire zone dedicated to Japanese culture, anime and manga. The IAC roundtable fits seamlessly into this mix, adding a layer of real-world science to the digital entertainment. It is this blend that makes TLP unique – and why it attracts families, teens and curious adults alike.

Tickets, kids and practical tips

Entry to TLP Tenerife is not free, but it is surprisingly affordable. A day ticket for the Summer-Con area costs from about 7 euros, and a weekly pass is around 22 euros. If you want to access the LAN party, prices start at around 60 euros for a standard ticket. The IAC roundtable is included in any valid Summer-Con ticket for Saturday – no extra fee required.

Good news for families: children up to and including 7 years old get in for free when accompanied by an adult. The entire Summer-Con area is designed to be family-friendly, with activities that appeal to younger visitors and a safe, supervised environment. The IAC session itself, with its focus on visual explanations and accessible science communication, is very likely to be suitable for curious kids and teenagers, even though no specific age recommendation has been published.