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Party like a local during Tenerife's New Year celebrations

Tenerife, the largest city in the Canary Islands off Spain, is a central destination for festivals of every kind, but around New Year is a fabulous time to visit.

From December until January, you’ll find holiday celebrations around every corner and in every bar and disco.

In December, the party season begins with Constitution Day on December 6. Locals begin their Christmas decorating two days later on December 8, which is Immaculate Conception Day. The city comes alive with lights and the holiday spirit can be seen throughout the city and island. Of course, shopping is in full swing, with specials in most of the stores and parties in both private homes and local venues.

On Christmas Day itself, tradition holds that residents and visitors should visit Mount Teide.

New Year’s Eve includes bells, fireworks and, of course, one big, all-island party that carries well into the early hours. Epiphany on January 5, is when the Three Kings – Los Reyes Magos – appear with gifts for everyone. The streets are crowded with parades of every kind including floats, singing, bands, acrobats, and confetti everywhere. Many stores are closed, so it’s a good idea to buy necessities for a couple of days in advance, just in case.

Clean-up takes a few days, then people begin preparing for the fiesta of San Antonio Abad, which lasts an entire week. At the end of this destination's festival, animals are brought into and through the town to be blessed and, of course, they leave reminders of where they’ve been. There’s another few days of clean-up after this festival!