Las Canteras Beach welcomes the best international artists specializing in sand in a nativity scene that received 260,000 visits last year.
It is held on Las Canteras beach from December 15th to January 8th.
The institutional event, held this morning, was attended by Mr. Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Ms. Jessica de León, Minister of Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Mr. Carlos Álamo, Tourism Councillor of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Mr. Pedro Quevedo, Councillor for Tourism of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Mr. Josué Íñiguez, Councillor for Culture of the Las Palmas City Council and Mr. Juan Manuel Moragas, Delegate in Las Palmas of State Lotteries and Betting.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, December 15, 2025. This morning, the Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene opened its doors and will remain open daily until January 8. A total of 1,500 square meters will be occupied by ten sculptures up to 5 meters tall, which will be on free display for all visitors to Las Canteras, one of the most famous and well-maintained urban beaches in the world.
The event was attended by Mr. Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Ms. Jessica de León, Councillor for Tourism and Employment of the Government of the Canary Islands, Mr. Carlos Álamo, Councillor for Tourism of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Mr. Pedro Quevedo, Councillor for Tourism of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Mr. Josué Íñiguez, Councillor for Culture of the Las Palmas City Council and Mr. Juan Manuel Moragas, Delegate in Las Palmas of State Lotteries and Betting.
Mr. Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, expressly congratulated and thanked the Rodríguez Medina family for their “enormous work,” highlighting “their tenacity, their vision, and the courage it takes to launch and maintain a project of this nature for twenty years—an effort that should be recognized by both the public and the institutions.” Mr. Morales emphasized that the Sand Nativity Scene is “one of the best showcases for Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands as a whole,” underscoring the collaboration between public administrations and private entities that makes it possible year after year.
In his address, the President of the Island Council highlighted three fundamental dimensions of the project. First, its historical value, recalling that “the first nativity scenes in Spain originated in the Canary Islands in the 16th century, always adapting to the environment.” Second, its artistic dimension, as it is “ephemeral art created by some of the world’s finest sculptors, who work each year on the shores of the Atlantic.” And finally, its social and cultural impact, “linked to art, memory, the climate, and solidarity, with strong support for the most vulnerable.” Morales concluded by emphasizing that, “despite the difficulties and the threat of the storm, we are here today inaugurating this nativity scene, which demonstrates the strength and collective commitment that sustain it.”
The Minister of Tourism and Employment for the Canary Islands Government, Jéssica de León, explained that “the Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene is a clear example of how culture adds value to the destination and enhances the experience of both visitors and residents.” De León highlighted that this year the sand creations by national and international artists will attract 250,000 visitors, including tourists and residents, “which consolidates the international profile of our archipelago.” Finally, the Minister explained that “Canary Islands Tourism has allocated 33 million euros to sponsor nearly 500 cultural events, a significant investment that not only supports the sector but also generates economic activity and allows the Canary Islands to have a stable and high-quality cultural program.”
Pedro Quevedo emphasized the collective value and continuity of the project, stressing that its success is no accident: “Things are never done by chance, and they certainly don't last twenty years by chance. Today we must acknowledge the effort and dedication of so many people who have made this nativity scene possible.” The leader also highlighted the deep connection of the Sand Nativity Scene to the city's identity: “Christmas in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is now unthinkable without this nativity scene, which has become an essential event for the community.”
Quevedo emphasized the social aspect of the project, noting that its impact extends beyond the artistic realm: “We have succeeded in establishing an event with heart, where all donations go to the city's five soup kitchens, reinforcing their commitment to solidarity.” He also praised the Nativity scene's role as a platform and learning space for local talent: “This project is also a springboard for our Gran Canaria sand artists and should serve to cultivate new talent and ensure the continuation of the art world.” Finally, he highlighted the importance of institutional and private collaboration: “This Nativity scene is the result of inter-institutional work between public administrations and private companies, which, by joining forces, make it possible for this project to continue growing year after year.”
Under the theme "Homage to Gran Canaria and Néstor Martín-Fernández de la Torre", the Nativity Scene celebrates its twentieth edition this year with the participation of a dozen professional sculptors, some from places as far away as Canada or Australia, who highlight the quality of the sand and the good reception of the initiative by the public, which last year received 260,000 visits, positioning the Nativity Scene as one of the most visited cultural spaces in Spain.
Within the venue, a special area is designated for workshops for children, who will be able to learn all the secrets of sand modeling from some of the best professionals in the world.
Aday Rodríguez, director of the Sand Nativity Scene, explains: “We have top-quality sculptors, a unique setting for the event, and significant media coverage that we've achieved in recent years.” He also highlights the charitable aspect, emphasizing that one of this year's goals is “to increase fundraising through donations, the proceeds of which go entirely to the city's soup kitchens, which do commendable work throughout the year.”
The twentieth anniversary is accompanied by a retrospective exhibition at the CICCA (Center for Contemporary Art of Catalonia) that traces the history of the Nativity Scene since its first edition. Christmas is being celebrated in a very special way thanks to the interest of the Spanish National Lottery (Loterías y Apuestas del Estado), which has chosen an image of last year's Sand Nativity Scene for the December 25th draw. Tickets—a total of 6 million printed—are already on sale at establishments throughout the country. At the opening event, Juan Manuel Moragas, the National Lottery's delegate in Las Palmas, emphasized that "everyone who lives here knows the Sand Nativity Scene, but thanks to the National Lottery ticket, we have managed to bring its image to all of Spain." He also highlighted that this is "the last draw of the year and the one held on Christmas Day, which makes it a particularly symbolic draw." In total, the draw will distribute €12.6 million in prizes.
“The goal is to make the island of Gran Canaria the world capital of sand art,” says Miguel Rodríguez, founder of the Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene.
Since its first edition in 2006, the Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene has become one of the most popular Christmas events in Europe, with 3 million visitors since its inception. Created by the company Go Beyond, this massive, free cultural initiative is made possible thanks to the support of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council (through the Departments of Tourism and Culture), the Gran Canaria Island Council (Gran Canaria Tourism, Presidency, and Culture), and the Government of the Canary Islands through Canary Islands Tourism; along with Canarias Getaway, Activa Canarias, Ybarra, Teican Medioambiental, and Tirma, and the collaboration of the “La Caixa” Foundation through CaixaBank, Mas24 Ingeniería, and Minerva Segura Arquitectura.
The Nativity scene will remain open every day until January 8, with free admission, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy a unique tour where Christmas, art and island identity meet in front of the ocean.
“We can never do the same thing, even if the theme is the same and the message to be conveyed delves into a similar humanist principle” (Miguel Rodríguez, founder of the Las Canteras Sand Nativity Scene)
