Christmas in Puerto de la Cruz fills the town with lights, music and family celebrations before the Three Kings arrive in January. The streets around Plaza del Charco and the church make an inviting evening walk, while seasonal fairs, concerts and children’s activities give you reasons to return throughout the holidays. New Year brings another lively gathering, and the Cabalgata de Reyes is a highlight for many families.
The dates, performers, market arrangements and parade route change each season. Use our Events page for current announcements while this guide helps you choose what to look forward to.
Christmas in Puerto de la Cruz at a glance
Season: Festive events usually run from late November or December into early January.
Main areas: The old town, Plaza del Charco, Plaza de la Iglesia, the waterfront and participating neighbourhoods.
Typical highlights: Christmas lights, family activities, craft fairs or markets, music, New Year celebrations and the Three Kings parade.
Three Kings: The Cabalgata is traditionally on 5 January; its start point, time and route are announced for each edition.
Current details: See our Events page before planning around any particular event.
Christmas lights and a festive walk through town
Start around Plaza del Charco and follow the old-town streets towards Plaza de la Iglesia. In recent Christmas seasons, illuminated squares, music and neighbourhood lighting have brought the celebration well beyond a single switch-on night. Palm trees and the sea air give Puerto’s December evenings their own character.
A walk after sunset lets you enjoy the decorations without needing a ticket or a fixed schedule. The displays and lighting times vary each year, so treat previous photographs as a taste of the atmosphere rather than a map of the current decorations. Our Plaza del Charco guide helps you get your bearings in the centre.
Markets, music and things to do
Recent Christmas programmes have mixed craft fairs and a seasonal fair with concerts, street music, storytelling and children’s activities. Some events have taken place around the harbour and Plaza del Charco, while others have used church, cultural and neighbourhood spaces. Pick a town-centre evening to wander between the lights and whatever is on that day.
The programme changes substantially from year to year. A favourite concert, artisan market or children’s show from an earlier Christmas may have a new location or may not return. Our Events page will list the events with confirmed dates and visitor details as they are announced.
The Three Kings parade
For many children in Puerto de la Cruz, the season builds towards the arrival of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar on the evening of 5 January. The Cabalgata de Reyes brings music, costumes, floats and crowds into the streets, making it one of the most exciting family nights of the winter.
Past editions have begun with a welcome to the Kings near Castillo San Felipe before a procession through town. The route and final celebration have changed between years, so choose a viewing place only after this season’s map is available. If you are visiting with young children, leave plenty of time to reach your spot and agree on a meeting point in case you become separated.
Photo: the Three Kings at the Puerto de la Cruz parade in January 2025. Ayuntamiento de Puerto de la Cruz.
Where to enjoy Christmas in Puerto de la Cruz
Plaza del Charco and the old town are natural starting points for a festive stroll, with restaurants and the waterfront close by. Plaza de la Iglesia has hosted lighting celebrations and music. The Explanada del Muelle has been used for seasonal fair activity, while neighbourhoods have hosted their own lights and events.
These are useful areas to know, not a fixed annual venue list. Our Walking guide can help you connect the central squares and seafront; check the current event listing for the exact venue you plan to visit.
Christmas, New Year and opening hours
Puerto de la Cruz often marks New Year’s Eve with a public celebration in the centre, but the stage, music, access arrangements and any fireworks are season-specific. Restaurants may offer special menus, and holiday opening times for attractions, shops and transport can differ from ordinary days. Book a table if a particular Christmas or New Year meal matters to you and check the venue directly before setting out.
On busy event nights, walking around the centre is usually easier than trying to drive through streets used by parades or crowds. Allow extra time for the Three Kings procession, especially if travelling with children or anyone who needs a quieter viewing position. Accessible viewing, quiet sessions and other arrangements must be checked for the current year rather than assumed from previous editions.
Tips for a relaxed festive visit
Choose one or two activities and leave room for an unhurried walk beneath the lights. A light layer is useful after dark, even when the daytime weather is warm. For family outings, plan a simple route from the square to the seafront and keep an eye on the crowd around major performances and the Kings parade.
Craft fairs, concerts and children’s activities may have different opening times and booking rules. Check the individual listing on our Events page on the day you go.
Explore more of Puerto de la Cruz
- What’s on in Puerto de la Cruz — current festive events and programmes.
- Fiestas in Puerto de la Cruz — the town’s annual celebrations.
- Plaza del Charco — a central place to start your evening.
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Find this season’s events
The confirmed programme will be linked from our Puerto de la Cruz Events page. Use it for the dates, times, venues, admission arrangements and Three Kings route for the season you are visiting.