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Lanzarote Christmas

January 10, 2017

The festive season is obviously one of the most popular times of the year to escape the UK and Eire and enjoy some winter sun and Lanzarote is always fully booked across this period. So what can visitors to the island expect from their Christmas here in Lanzarote?

COUNTER CULTURE

One of the most common complaints that you hear from UK residents is that Christmas has become way too commercialized. And it’s hard to argue with that when the festive hard sell seems to start earlier and earlier each year.

But here on Lanzarote there just isn’t the same sort of highly developed consumer culture to suck you in. For starters there are simply far fewer shops, whilst marketing here is also much less sophisticated and prominent, so holidaymakers certainly won’t feel harried at every turn to get out there and spend, spend, spend.

OPENING HOURS

One of the most frequently asked questions that we get at this time of year is will everything be open over Christmas? The quick and easy answer is yes, as local bars and restaurants are keen to take your money whatever the time of year.

However there are a few key cultural differences. As in many other Catholic countries Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day is the main event here. So many restaurants will try and shut reasonably early in the evening on the 24th in order to allow staff to celebrate with their families. All shops and restaurants are then open on the 25th.

DOUBLE TAKE

From a child’s point of view Christmas on the island is absolutely ideal as here they can enjoy not one but two separate Christmas Days.

Locals still mark Three Kings Day on January 5th as their real Christmas Day and visitors to the island will be able to enjoy watching the festivities as cavalcades of cars and camels make their way through the streets of local towns and villages dispensing sweets to wide eyed kids.

LIKE A LOCAL

There are plenty of unique aspects to a Canarian Christmas though for those that want to get in the festive spirit. Head for any of the main towns on the island such as Yaiza or Teguise and in the main squares you’ll find Belens, which are wonderfully crafted and intricate nativity scenes.

Teguise is also a great place to head on Christmas Eve as here tourists can take in the annual Rancho de Pascua, a traditional folklore event that is staged annually on the 24th.

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