Spending Christmas in the Canary Islands is a luxury you can afford without travelling halfway around the world. While other destinations are cold and dark early in the evening, here you can enjoy sunny days, seaside terraces and walks without a heavy coat. Imagine celebrating Christmas Eve with the sound of the waves in the background, toasting the New Year outdoors and combining Christmas traditions with swimming at the beach and excursions through volcanic landscapes.
In this guide, we'll take you through the islands one by one so you can plan your getaway with peace of mind: what weather you'll find, how Christmas is celebrated, what to see on each island and how to make your trip even more special by staying at Elba Hotels.
Christmas in the Canary Islands: climate and atmosphere
If there is one thing that makes Christmas in the Canary Islands unique, it is the climate. In the middle of December, it is normal to enjoy mild temperatures, around 20 degrees, lots of light and a relaxed atmosphere that invites you to be outside.
You won't have to worry about ice or snow: here, Christmas is spent strolling by the sea, enjoying crowded terraces at midday and sunsets that seem to belong to another season. You can start the day with breakfast outdoors, visit a nativity scene or a Christmas market, and end the afternoon walking barefoot on the sand.
What's more, the atmosphere is very welcoming. You'll find special lighting on avenues and squares, open-air concerts and venues decorated with Christmas motifs... but without the crowds of other colder destinations. It's ideal if you're looking for a peaceful holiday, with a difference, but without sacrificing the essence of Christmas.
How Christmas is celebrated in the Canary Islands: traditions and events
The way Christmas is celebrated in the Canary Islands is a mixture of Spanish customs and traditions specific to the islands. Some of the most special are:
- Nativity scenes and sand nativity scenes. Monumental nativity scenes are set up on several islands, many of them with scenes that recreate Canarian landscapes. In places such as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the sand nativity scene on the beach is a classic that surprises those who visit it for the first time.
- Easter ranches and carols. Traditional music groups roam the streets and villages singing to the sound of typical instruments, creating a very authentic and intimate atmosphere.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas with the family. Lunches and dinners at this time of year usually include local products: fresh fish, papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), mojos (sauces), Canarian cheeses and traditional sweets.
- Concerts and culture. After the festivities, the archipelago is filled with music with events such as the International Music Festival of the Canary Islands, an ideal event if you want to extend your getaway and enjoy great artists in unique settings.
- New Year's Eve outdoors. Eating grapes in a square by the sea, continuing with a walk along the beach and, if you feel like it, even taking a dip on 1 January is something you will never forget.
The Canary Islands at Christmas: what to see on each island
Each island has its own character. So, before booking your flight, it's worth thinking about what kind of experience you want: more urban, more rural, more volcanic, more beachy... or a combination of several.
Tenerife at Christmas: lights, nativity scenes and urban routes
In Tenerife, Christmas is celebrated in vibrant cities and surrounded by nature.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna are filled with lights, markets and activities for all ages. Strolling through their illuminated historic streets is a perfect plan for a December afternoon.
- In many villages you will find nativity scenes with great attention to detail, as well as concerts and events in the squares.
- If you fancy something different, you can combine your Christmas plans with a trip to Mount Teide or the north coast, where the landscapes are spectacular even in winter.
It's the perfect island if you want to combine an urban atmosphere, culture and nature excursions.
Gran Canaria at Christmas: markets and concerts by the sea
In Gran Canaria, the capital and the tourist south offer two complementary ways to experience this time of year:
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is synonymous with culture and the sea. Don't miss the open-air concerts, the sand nativity scene on Las Canteras beach and the Christmas walks through Vegueta, its historic quarter.
- In the south, the climate is usually even milder, ideal for those looking to combine shopping, relaxation and the beach.
If you want to move around the island freely, a very practical option is to stay at the Elba Vecindario Aeropuerto Business & Convention Hotel, located in a strategic spot for discovering both the capital and the beaches of the south, and relaxing after each excursion in a comfortable and peaceful environment.
Lanzarote at Christmas: volcanoes, trails and local flavour
Lanzarote is perfect if you dream of a different kind of Christmas, surrounded by volcanic landscapes and white villages facing the sea.
- You can explore Timanfaya National Park, stroll through La Geria among vineyards, visit Christmas markets in coastal villages and see out the year with views of the Atlantic.
- The days are ideal for gentle hiking, car routes and sampling the local cuisine at a leisurely pace.
If you want your getaway to combine relaxation, well-being and a touch of exclusivity, you will love staying at one of the hotels in Lanzarote belonging to Hoteles Elba, such as Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort or Elba Premium Suites, where you can enjoy all-inclusive services, adults-only areas and environments designed for true relaxation.
Fuerteventura at Christmas: quiet beaches and water sports
Fuerteventura is the ideal island if you are excited by the idea of Christmas by almost endless beaches and coastal villages with a leisurely pace.
- Here you can walk through golden dunes, surf, kitesurf or simply lie in the sun while the mainland is cold.
- It is also a perfect destination for those who want to disconnect from the noise and start the year looking out to sea.
If you are looking for an exclusive and well-maintained environment, the Elba Palace Golf Boutique Hotel is a gem for adults only, where golf, wellness and tranquillity combine perfectly. And if you prefer a more family-friendly and active atmosphere, the Elba Lucía Sport & Suite Hotel will allow you to enjoy sports, the swimming pool and the good Canary Island climate with all the comforts.
Experience Christmas in the Canary Islands with Elba Hotels
Choosing to spend Christmas in the Canary Islands means giving yourself time for yourself: unhurried sunrises, barefoot walks on the sand, special dinners and the feeling of starting the year with renewed energy. And if you stay at Elba Hotels, you can be sure of enjoying friendly service, thoughtful details and spaces designed so that all you have to worry about is living in the moment.
From our resorts in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura to the convenient Elba Vecindario Aeropuerto Business & Convention Hotel in Gran Canaria, you'll find options for couples' trips, solo getaways or family holidays. Many of our hotels have wellness areas, quality cuisine and services that make every stay special, even — or especially — at this time of year.
Because in the end, it's not just where you spend the holidays that matters, but how you feel while you're enjoying them. At Hoteles Elba, we want your Christmas in the Canary Islands to be unhurried, authentic and full of warm memories: the kind that stay with you long after you've put away the tree and the lights. Shall we start planning your next getaway?
