Spanish/Canaries Christmas celebration days?

[nicholsong]

We are flying to Gran Canaria for Christmas, but not NY.

We are taking an apartment so will generally be self-catering.

We would like to go out for a Christmas Dinner but need to know which day the Spanish celebrate, because here in Poland the 'big feast' is on the 24th in the afternoon. So what do the Spanish do?

Which days/hours will restaurants be open?

Also, which days will shops/supermarkets be open?

Any information from Residents or people who have been there for Christmas will be welcome.

Thanks in advance'

Geoff

 

[jumar]

Hi Geoff, here on the mainland Spanish families celebrate the evening of the 24th...if you are going to be in a touristy location you will be able to reserve a table for the traditional Christmas day 25th....normally around 1400hrs...
I would expect restaurants to be open all days...booking is normally a must....
Supermarkets should be open 24th but may close early...say 1600hrs..The 26th is a normal day..
It's all very low key for the Christmas period as we know as the main event is the 6th January...Three Kings Day..
Let's see if Yorick agrees or offers something else...Enjoy your vacation..

 

[Jays2]

Just read a book Banana Road about Tenerife.
author :- Andrea Montgomery
It did Not say a lot about Christmas, but the lack food we are used too.

 

[MattR]

We are flying to Gran Canaria for Christmas, but not NY.

We are taking an apartment so will generally be self-catering.

We would like to go out for a Christmas Dinner but need to know which day the Spanish celebrate, because here in Poland the 'big feast' is on the 24th in the afternoon. So what do the Spanish do?

Which days/hours will restaurants be open?

Also, which days will shops/supermarkets be open?

Any information from Residents or people who have been there for Christmas will be welcome.

Thanks in advance'

Geoff

Spanish folk gather together as families on the 24th - the evening meal is the main event. There are smaller celebrations on the 25th but not at the scale experienced in the UK. The main community celebrations are on the 6th January.

Gran Canaria will have loads of resturants meeting the needs of tourists but as jumar advises, book your table.

 

[Yorick]

Hi Geoff, here on the mainland Spanish families celebrate the evening of the 24th...if you are going to be in a touristy location you will be able to reserve a table for the traditional Christmas day 25th....normally around 1400hrs...
I would expect restaurants to be open all days...booking is normally a must....
Supermarkets should be open 24th but may close early...say 1600hrs..The 26th is a normal day..
It's all very low key for the Christmas period as we know as the main event is the 6th January...Three Kings Day..
Let's see if Yorick agrees or offers something else...Enjoy your vacation..

Yeah. 3 Kings is the biggest when the kids get their presents

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[nicholsong]

Thanks to all above'

As a result of those replies I have some supplementary questions.

We shall be staying in the NW of Gran Canaria at Puerto de Sardina, which I imagine is not a main tourist area.

Accepting that Spanish families get together on the 24th, is that mainly in house or will some be out to restaurants, as we would prefer to be in Spanish atmosphere than a tourist/ex-pat one?

Any other holiday days we can stay home as I am taking an excellent cook with me.