The iconic annual sand nativity scene opens on Las Canteras beach
One of the most popular Christmas tourist attractions in the Canary Islands has opened to the public, the annual Las Canteras nativity scene in Las Palmas created by spectacular sand sculptures, which last year featured in National Geographic as one of the wonders of Christmas. Many tourists and locals are taking advantage of the bank holidays to visit one of the iconic symbols of the festive period in the capital of Gran Canaria.
More than ten artists of eight nationalities participated in building the Sand Nativity Scene on Las Canteras beach, which celebrates its 16th year with the challenge of recovering the numbers of visitors prior to the pandemic, which was around 200,000 in the month that it is open.
In addition to recreating scenes typical of the festivities, the Nativity scene acknowledges the situation in La Palma as a whole, and particularly those people that have been affected by the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.
Overall the attraction is made up of six other scenes, in addition to the two in tribute to the victims of La Palma by the artist Guy-Oliver Devenueau called 'The School' and by the Lithuanian sculptor Sanita Ravina, with the banana trees and the volcano.
The other six scenes are:
'Artisans, potters, shepherds and farmers' by Portuguese artist Rodrigo César de Magalhaes, and Dutch artist Johannes Christolfel.
'La Fuente' by Canarians, Paco Arana and Bentejuí Ojeda.
'La Anunciación ' by Irishman, Fergus Mulvany.
'El Nacimiento' by Canadian, Karen Jean Fralich.
'The Adoration of the Kings' by American, Sue Mac Greu.
'Alfredo Kraus Auditorium' by Frenchman, Benoit Dutherage.
You can visit these amazing sculptures until January 7th every day from 10am to 10pm, except on December 24th and 31st, and January 5th when they close at 8pm. No prior reservation is necessary but the capacity is controlled and a mask must be worn.
