Tenerife at Christmas: Weather, Events and Closures

Christmas in Tenerife is mild rather than hot: the Tenerife tourist board gives December average highs of 23 °C and lows of 17 °C, with about 43 mm of rain, the wettest month in its tables (read 7 November 2026). The south coast stays the drier and sunnier side, snow can cover the Teide peaks, and the calendar for 2026 lists a Christmas concert in the port of Santa Cruz on 25 December and a children's park that runs from 18 December to 5 January. Some museums close on 24, 25 and 31 December, so plan those days around beaches, boats and mountains. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.

Month	Average high / low (°C)	Average temperature (°C)	Rain (mm)	Daylight hours listed
November	24 / 19	21.3	34	178
December	23 / 17	19.4	43	168
January	21 / 16	18.2	32	178

Source: the tourist board's climate pages, based on figures from Spain's national weather service (read 7 November 2026). The last column is the board's "average monthly daylight hours".

Christmas dates on the 2026 calendar

Date	What	Where
18 December to 5 January	35th PIT, Children's and Youth Park of Tenerife	Listed on the board's calendar
24 December, after Midnight Mass	The Baby Dance, with young people in traditional costume	Taganana
25 December	Christmas concert by Puertos de Tenerife	Dársena de Los Llanos, Santa Cruz port
26 December	San Silvestre runs	Candelaria and Tejina
26 to 30 December	The Phantom of the Opera, national tour	Auditorio de Tenerife
31 December	42nd San Silvestre run through the historic centre	La Laguna
1 January 2027	Day One 2027, a music day	Palmetum, Santa Cruz

The board describes the Baby Dance as a tradition in Taganana: see Taganana. The Santa Cruz events are in the capital: see Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Palmetum. Puerto de la Cruz also holds its Bach festival in December.

What is closed or changes

MUNA, the nature and archaeology museum in Santa Cruz, is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and on 1 and 6 January.
The La Orotava Botanical Garden is closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Teide National Park guided walks run all year except 25 December, 1 January and 6 January.
The Palmetum is open every day, including public holidays, from 10:00 to 18:00; night events need a separate ticket.

Which area for whom

Beach and sun. The south: Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos have more sun hours than the north. See Costa Adeje, where to stay in Costa Adeje and where to stay in Los Cristianos.
Mild weather and sights. The north: Puerto de la Cruz stays between 15 and 22 °C all year, and Garachico has winter highs of 18 to 22 °C. See Puerto de la Cruz.
Events. Santa Cruz and La Laguna host the concerts and the 31 December run listed above. See La Laguna.

Mountain and sea at Christmas

Teide's peaks are often covered in snow in winter, and the board advises proper footwear and warm clothes. The cable car rises from 2,356 m to 3,555 m in about 8 minutes; tickets are sold online only and can be changed free until 6:00 pm the day before, which helps if the weather turns. See Teide cable car and Teide stargazing tour. At sea, the board's best period for boat trips from Los Gigantes is November to May; pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins live off the island all year, and the common dolphin is seen mostly in winter. See whale watching in Tenerife.

Where to stay at Christmas

Rates depend on the date, so compare your exact nights in the Booking box. The south is the safer choice for sun; the north suits walks and gardens. For the whole island, read where to stay in Tenerife, and for the weather around the date see Tenerife in December and Tenerife in January.

Mistakes to avoid

Planning a museum visit in Santa Cruz on 24, 25 or 31 December without checking the closures.
Packing only beachwear. Teide is cold and snowy in winter.
Booking the north for a beach week. It is cooler and cloudier than the south.
Booking the cable car on a day you cannot move. Changes are free only until 6:00 pm the day before.

FAQ

What is the weather in Tenerife at Christmas?

December averages 23 °C by day and 17 °C by night, with about 43 mm of rain (tourist board).

Is it warm enough to swim at Christmas?

The board says the south coast beaches are in use all year; Adeje's yearly average is about 24 °C.

What is the Baby Dance?

A Christmas Eve tradition in Taganana, after Midnight Mass, with groups of young people in traditional costume.

Is Teide open at Christmas?

The park is a natural area; official guided walks do not run on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January.

What happens on 31 December?

The 42nd San Silvestre run goes through the historic centre of La Laguna.

The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.