Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Introduction and local significance

El Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the most prominent celebrations in Spain and the Canary Islands, officially recognised as a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 18 January 1980. For this edition, the festivities will take place from 19 to 28 February 2027, a period when thousands of people take to the streets of the municipality. This event stands out for its enormous international reach, being considered the second most popular carnival in the world and maintaining an official sister-city relationship with Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, the celebration aspires to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which underlines its cultural importance and enduring character.

Historical origins and tradition

The festival has unique historical roots, having been renamed the Winter Festivals during the dictatorships of Miguel Primo de Rivera and General Franco to evade its legal ban. With the end of this period, in 1976 it recovered its traditional name of Carnaval. A fundamental milestone in its history occurred in 1987 with the performance of the Cuban singer Celia Cruz alongside the orchestra Billo's Caracas Boys, gathering 250,000 people in an open-air square and entering the Guinness Book of Records. Later, in 2019, more than 400,000 people participated in the daytime carnival dancing to the rhythm of Juan Luis Guerra, while in the year 2000 the theme dedicated to pirates turned the town into the World Capital of Carnival. The structure of the festival is divided into two clearly differentiated aspects: the official carnival and the street carnival. The former brings together more than 100 groups with an average of 50 members each, covering murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance troupes), rondallas (string bands), costume groups and musical ensembles. The murgas, whose first representation was born in 1954 with those initially known as Los Bigotudos and today called Afilarmónica NiFú-NiFá, perform satirical compositions about current political and social affairs. Meanwhile, the comparsas provide the choreographic and rhythmic element through percussion and striking feathered costumes. As a traditional closing of the festivities, the Entierro de la Sardina stands out, a singular funeral satire where a giant figure is burned to symbolize the end of the celebrations.

Programme and main events

The official programme of El Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife encompasses numerous preliminary and central events spread across different locations in the municipality starting in January. Among the most prominent events are the inaugural gala held in Plaza de España, the competitions of musical and choreographic groups, the rondallas contest at the Auditorio de Tenerife, and the phases of the children's and adult murgas contests. Likewise, institutional and recreational events stand out, such as the Children's Queen Gala, the Senior Queen Gala, the Carnival Queen Election Gala at the Recinto Ferial, the Opening Parade on Avenida Bélgica, and the Grand Coso Apoteosis (float parade) on Avenidas Francisco La Roche and Marítima. Attendees can also enjoy designated events such as the comparsas Rhythm and Harmony Contest, the Dragnaval Gala, and the traditional Burial of the Sardine. It is recommended to check the official programme in the details to verify specific times and exact locations of each gathering.

Traditional festival food

During the celebration dates, the culinary offering of local establishments is complemented by traditional dishes deeply rooted in the popular culture of the island. Among the most representative products are:

• Tortillas de Carnaval, a popular and sweet traditional recipe typical of these dates available in local restaurants.
• Sopas de miel, a traditional dessert that accompanies the festive days in the different venues of the municipality.

Visitor guide and where to stay

To get around during the events with greater comfort and safety, the authorities recommend using public transport and parking in the enabled public car parks outside the centre. The Metropolitano de Tenerife service modifies its routes from 18:00, operating only in the direction of the capital up to the Plaza de La Paz stop. Meanwhile, TITSA buses heading to the Anaga area circulate along the interior lane of the Port Authority, enabling provisional stops. The taxi ranks closest to the Cuadrilátero area are located on Calle Víctor Zurita Soler, Calle San Sebastián, Calle Miraflores, Calle del Pilar, Calle Valentín Sanz and a section of Calle Marcos Redondo. It should be noted that access to the carnival Cuadrilátero remains closed from 18:00 on Friday until 07:00 on Wednesday during the main days. Likewise, specific parking restrictions apply, such as the limitation on Avenida Bélgica from 07:00 on the occasion of the Opening Parade. For overnight stays, it is advisable to book accommodation well in advance and choose the municipality itself or nearby towns to facilitate access to nighttime events.