This weekend in Santa Cruz de Tenerife promises to be action-packed with the 15th edition of Plenilunio Santa Cruz offering over a hundred exciting activities. Carmen Pérez, CEO of the Development Company, emphasizes that the goal is not only to boost trade and restaurant business but also to provide a rich cultural and leisure experience for the city’s residents. The program encompasses sports, gastronomy, and family-friendly events spread across approximately twenty venues.
Events of Plenilunio Santa Cruz de Tenerife for Friday, December 1st
The Plenilunio kicks off with various engaging activities. The Casa del Carnaval opens its doors with guided tours starting at noon and a craft workshop at 5:00 p.m., tailored especially for children. The TEA offers children’s workshops alongside the exhibitions of the International Biennial Fotonoviembre and the screening of the German film “Der Fuchs.” For those looking to enjoy the streets on Friday, music will grace the Plaza de La Candelaria starting at 18:00, featuring Julia Debis, St. Pedro, DJ Cannibal, and Mel Ömana and Marlon. The day concludes with the dance show ‘Corpus Picturae’ at the Museo de Bellas Artes at 19:00 and the performance of “El Inconveniente” at 20:30 at the Teatro Guimerá.
Saturday, December 2nd
Much-anticipated street markets come alive on Saturday. The Casa Siliuto in Toscal hosts a Christmas market starting at 9:00 am. From 11:00 a.m., you can revel in the traditional Christmas market at the Plaza de España and the trendy ‘Le Good Market’ at García Sanabria. This event offers food, music, and entertainment for children in the play area. Carmen Pérez mentions, “There will be 85 exhibitors in the park, including 20 gastronomic vendors, offering a wide variety of options, from hot dogs and gourmet hamburgers to Cuban, Peruvian, or Argentinian cuisine.” Additionally, craft beers, specialty coffees, Cuban mojitos, and festive decorations will create a vibrant Christmas atmosphere.
For the young ones, there is a children’s play centre in the alameda del Duque de Santa Elena and the “Festival Chicharrock” on Avenida de Anaga, ensuring that there is something for every family member.
Plenilunio Santa Cruz offers a diverse program that not only provides enjoyable activities for families but also encourages them to patronize local businesses and restaurants. According to Ruth Dorta, manager of the Zona Centro Commercial Association, families participating in these activities often shop in local stores and dine in nearby restaurants.
Saturday also presents opportunities to explore cultural venues, such as the Palacio de Capitanía in Plaza Weyler and the Almeyda Military Museum, both open for visits and exhibitions. The Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) offers guided tours of the Guanche funerary world starting at 10:00 a.m. Another attraction is the Nuestra Señora de África Market, expanding its gastronomic offerings for the event and featuring various performances from 19:00.
Plenilunio’s highlights on Saturday include performances in Plaza del Príncipe with “En estado de show” by Yaneli Hernández, followed by Abubukaka and Agustín Jiménez. In Plaza de La Candelaria at 18:30, Picoco’s Band will entertain the crowd, followed by Cristina Ramos, and concluding with Pitingo at 21:45. From 20:00 until midnight, the esplanade of Avenida Marítima will host a cockfight and performances by Kharma, Soat, and La Pantera.
Sunday, December 3rd
The frenetic pace continues on Sunday, with most venues, museums, theatres, and street markets continuing their activities. At 12 noon, a concert by Morimoto Sister will take place in the Teatro Guimerá, while at the same time, a tango show by Andrés Leoni will captivate the audience in the neighboring Plaza de la Isla de la Madera. Additionally, the Plaza de La Candelaria will feature performances by Mandrágora Coro at midday, followed by the University Choir and Gospel Shine Voices in the afternoon.
“DOUBLOONS FOR ETERNITY” IN THE CEMETERY OF SAN RAFAEL AND SAN ROQUE
One of the unique highlights of this Plenilunio is the event titled “DoublOONS for Eternity,” held at the cemetery of San Rafael and San Roque, a place declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. Situated near the Nuestra Señora de África Market, this event features dramatized tours that unveil the history of the cemetery, presented by the Burka Teatro company and historian Néstor Verona.
The tours take the form of a comedy starring the family of the 16th-century conqueror Hernández del Hoyo. They provide insights into the epidemics that led to the cemetery’s construction, highlighting the cemetery’s diverse sections, including one for Protestants. Several historical figures of the city, such as Imeldo Serís and Ireneo González, rest here.
These tours are scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 noon and on Sunday at 17:00 and 19:00. Admission is free, with a maximum capacity of 100 people. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis, without prior registration.
For more details on the Plenilunio Santa Cruz program, interested individuals can visit the website www.pleniluniosantacruz.com.
