10 Things to Do in Gran Canaria in December

The run-up to Christmas usually changes the dynamic of tourist destinations, and Gran Canaria is no exception to the rule. During December, the island prepares to welcome Christmas and is bathed in lights, festivities, Christmas markets and concerts to also celebrate the start of the high season.

The best things to see and do in Gran Canaria in December are complemented by clear skies, surfing competitions, Christmas festivals and markets, and the timeless beauty of the historic centre of Las Palmas, all with fewer tourists than in summer and ideal weather for outdoor excursions.

Las Canteras Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the island, one of the most visited by tourists and the most popular for concerts. As travelling to Gran Canaria in winter does not mean giving up sunny days, it also enjoys a very good reputation in December and, in keeping with the Christmas spirit, a sand nativity scene is built there every year, attracting visitors.

The Sand Nativity Scene began as a tradition among independent artists and gradually gained ground until it became one of the best activities in Gran Canaria and a different and unique way of celebrating Christmas. Every year, the best sand sculptors in the world look for a spot on Las Canteras Beach to create their works.

The sculptures in the Sand Nativity Scene also have a cultural function, as during the exhibition, which runs throughout December, there are events by artists and other activities organised by the island's government. Admission is free and it is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.

During December, Gran Canaria proudly displays all its natural beauty, but it also showcases its musical and cultural offerings, as it is the month of concerts in every corner of the island. One of the best known is the traditional concert before Christmas Eve, which takes place every year in the Plaza de Santa Ana, one of the main squares in Las Palmas.

The stars of these concerts are the musicians of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Symphony Orchestra, whose Christmas carols combine with the warm, sunny days to create a Christmas celebration that is different from the traditional ones.

The Plaza de Santa Ana is also located in the heart of the historic quarter of Vegueta, so when night falls, the show lights up the traditional sites of the old town, creating a very special atmosphere.

You can get to Vegueta by public bus or on the Gran Canaria hop-on hop-off tourist buses. During the concert, which is free, you can also visit the best museums in the historic quarter, such as the Casa de Colón, the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art, the Pérez Galdós House Museum and the Canarian Museum, without having to pay anything.

When Christmas Eve begins, Gran Canaria also formally opens its Christmas market season. Some of the best known markets are in Las Palmas, such as the Maritim Playa Christmas Craft Market, which is held in the Playa del Inglés area and imitates the tradition of German markets.

You can also visit the Maspalomas Market, the Telde Market, the Teror Market and the Vega de San Mateo Market. Other markets, such as the Puerto Market and the Vegueta Market, are adapted for Christmas and decorated with coloured lights and festive decorations, offering Christmas food and products.

At each one, you may come across Father Christmas and other Christmas characters with whom you can have your photo taken, making it an excellent option if you are planning to visit Gran Canaria with children.

The markets usually extend their opening hours during Christmas and it is common to come across street music performances and other open-air concerts.

December is a rainy time of year in Gran Canaria, but the humidity also lowers the temperature a little, which is ideal for adventure excursions, which can often be exhausting on hot, sunny days.

That's why December is an ideal month to visit the Roque Nublo Natural Monument, the Maspalomas Dunes and the Pico de las Nieves.

The best tours in Gran Canaria are outdoors and often involve difficult hiking trails or long walks, so the cooler weather will make the trip easier and improve your experience.

Keep in mind that some of the adventure excursions are cancelled in case of rain, so I recommend that you check the weather before booking to avoid changes to your dates, which could be detrimental if you are planning a short stay on the island. If that is the case, here is a list of activities to discover Gran Canaria in 3 days.

In December, tourism begins to pick up again on the island, but it is still an ideal time to visit the best theme parks in Gran Canaria with fewer tourists, especially those that tend to be very busy during the summer months or sell out quickly.

If you prefer Ferris wheels and roller coasters, you can visit Holiday World Maspalomas; if you want to travel to the Wild West, you can visit Sioux City; and if you prefer water parks, you can choose Aqualand Maspalomas or Lago del Taurito. In all cases, you can book in advance, and some of these parks offer reduced rates for children.

If you are planning to travel with friends, you can also visit theme parks for adults, such as Hangar 37, a battle scene where you have to defend yourself with airsoft guns in a fun experience.

Vegueta, the old town of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a haven of colonial houses, typical balconies, cobbled streets and a host of attractions such as the Plaza de Santa Ana, the Parque de San Telmo, the Cathedral and the Casa de Colón.

All these buildings, which date back to the city's foundation in the 15th century, are illuminated in December to welcome Christmas and celebrate the concert on Christmas Eve in the Plaza de Santa Ana . A stroll through this traditional neighbourhood bathed in Christmas colours is one of the best ways to get to know the city.

Keep in mind that the winding streets of the old town are built on hills, so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes when visiting . Although the weather in December is not usually very hot, the best time for a walk is in the morning.

Vegueta is also a good option if you need to go shopping, as you will find a large number of shops on Calle Mayor de Triana. Nearby, you can also have lunch or buy food at the Vegueta Market.

You can go on some of the best dolphin watching trips in Gran Canaria, but you can also opt for diving trips to discover some of the animals that don't come to the surface, such as turtles, rays and sharks.

Diving trips in winter are a good option for seeing angel sharks in the Gran Canaria area . These endangered species visit the island's coast between November and January in search of breeding grounds. With the necessary care and assistance from instructors, it is possible to swim close to them.

Bear in mind that from mid-December onwards , the number of tourists increases substantially, so if you want to go on an excursion of this type, I recommend booking in advance to avoid delays or last-minute price increases.

During December, you can also opt for snorkelling experiences or some of the best boat trips in Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands have some of the clearest skies in the world, and in December you can enjoy the Geminids, one of the meteor showers that fill the sky with bright stars every year.

The interesting thing about the Geminids is that you don't need a telescope or professional equipment to see them , just your naked eye. All you have to do is find a dark place and look up at the sky to spot them.

In Gran Canaria, Las Canteras Beach and the Maspalomas Lighthouse area are ideal spots for sightings, and during the Geminids, groups of enthusiasts often gather to follow the phenomenon closely.

The Canary Islands also have three Starlight reserves, which are protected from light pollution and located in La Palma, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. The phenomenon can also be seen clearly from the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory, which is the highest point on Isla Bonita.

In December, the Canary Islands offer one of the best climates in the middle of winter, some of the best starry skies and the chance to savour the typical sweets and desserts of Canarian cuisine, with the unique characteristics of each area and each island.

Whether at Christmas markets, street stalls or restaurants that change their menu on Christmas Eve, you can choose which delicacies to try.

The most popular dish is trout stuffed with yellow sweet potato, which is a must on every Canarian table at Christmas, but there is also room for sweet potato cagajones, which are typical of Gran Canaria, alfajores from La Gomera, wine shortbread, homemade nougat, almond biscuits from La Palma and almond cheese, which is very typical of El Hierro

If you really want to get to know the local cuisine and products, don't miss the island's wineries that produce red wine and rum distilleries, or the cured meats of Gran Canaria, which are among the best in Spain.

Gran Canaria is considered one of Spain's surfing capitals and every year, at La Cícer beach in Las Canteras, the Open LPA Surf City is held , a competition that counts towards the national surfing circuit and takes place in December, bringing together some of the best surfers in Spain and Europe in both the men's and women's categories.

The Open LPA Surf City is a prestigious competition that has gained fame as the most important on the national surfing circuit, as well as being the only one with a three-star rating, with 1,400 points up for grabs each year. It is also the competition that represents the Iberdrola League of the Spanish Surfing Federation on the island, having previously passed through regions such as Asturias, Andalusia, Cantabria and Galicia.

The choice of Gran Canaria in December is no coincidence, as it is the best time for surfing on the island due to the wind speed and climate. This makes it the ultimate test to crown the annual winners of the Spanish surfing competitions in both the men's and women's categories.

If you enjoy surfing or simply want to see some of the best surfers riding the biggest waves in Spain, come to Las Canteras Beach to watch a unique spectacle that captivates more and more people every year and continues to make Gran Canaria a benchmark for water sports.

Temperatures in Gran Canaria in December average 18°, with highs of 25° and lows of 12°, although it rarely drops below 15°, so despite being winter, it is a warm time to visit the island.

December is also a rainy month, although the humidity helps to reduce the heat, which can be stifling.

December marks the start of the high season in Gran Canaria, but it is still a month with low tourist numbers, at least until Christmas, making it an ideal time to visit the island and go on some of the best excursions from Las Palmas

From mid-December to March, the number of tourists increases considerably, so if you plan to stay until then, I recommend booking your excursions in advance.

October, November and December are the best months to travel to Gran Canaria from a financial point of view, as you can get great deals due to the low number of tourists.

If you book in advance, you can also get discounts and other benefits, although the situation changes from mid-December and January, when prices in Gran Canaria start to rise to those of the island during the high season.

• Swimwear
• T-shirts
• Waterproof jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking boots
• Waterproof trousers
• Summer sweaters
• Sunglasses
• Lightweight coat