Christmas Day is one of the most significant dates of the year even though it is celebrated differently in Spain than in the UK because Christmas Eve is the big day over the festive period for families. But, if you are here on holiday, what is open on Christmas Day?
December 25th is a national holiday in Europe, America, and in some parts of Asia. It also is in Spain, but because this year it falls on a Sunday, the bank holiday is moved to Monday meaning that Boxing Day is the official Bank Holiday here in the Canary Islands.
According to the Order of June 27, 2011, of the Department of Employment, Industry, and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands, in the areas considered to be Highly visited by tourists, the commercial establishments that are located inside them have complete freedom to determine the days and hours in which they will remain open to the public.
In addition to the emergency services, i.e. health professionals, police, the fire brigade, or private security companies, others will be working on December 25th.
Duty Chemists:
Those pharmacies on call maintain service, as well as those that are open 365 days a year. You can consult the complete list, by municipality, here>>
Bakeries:
The latest franchises that have emerged on the island, such as El Horno de Pan or El Rincón del Pan will open their doors on December 25th. Small establishments dedicated to the sale of bread and pastries will also open.
24 hour mini-markets:
These stores, which are small supermarkets, also keep their doors open at Christmas. They will, however, have restrictions on the hours they can sell alcohol.
Bars, cafes and restaurants:
In the last years before the pandemic, it was usual for bars, cafeterias, and some restaurants to be open for customers on December 25th. More and more are offering Christmas dinners for families these days.
Petrol stations:
This is a case similar to pharmacies. Not all open, but many offer their services on a day when few shops open their doors.
Shopping centres:
Those considered to be in “Areas of Great tourist influx”, shops can open their doors. This is the case with shopping centres such as the Siam Mall or Rosa Centre, in the south of the Island, or the Martiánez Shopping Centre, in Puerto de la Cruz.
The best thing in these cases is to check timetables, because although the shopping centres are open, but not all shops open their doors.
