Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a weeks-long programme of murga and comparsa contests, the election of the Carnival Queen, parades and free street parties in the centre of Tenerife's capital. It was declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest in January 1980, the first in the Canary Islands. For 2027 the city has announced an opening gala on 22 January and street carnival from 19 to 28 February, under the theme "Roma: El imperio del Carnaval".

When is the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2027?

Carnival normally falls in February or early March because it is tied to Lent. In 2027 Ash Wednesday is 10 February, but Santa Cruz is deliberately running two weeks later than usual. The city council explained that the Recinto Ferial, where the main stage is built, is occupied by the Parque Infantil y Juvenil de Tenerife until 6 January, and the stage cannot be assembled in under a week. The resulting calendar:

• Opening gala: Friday 22 January 2027.
• Street carnival: 19–28 February 2027.
• Carnival Tuesday (local holiday in Santa Cruz): 23 February 2027.

Neighbouring La Laguna moved its own Carnival Tuesday holiday to 23 February to match. Exact times for each gala and parade are published nearer the date on carnavaldetenerife.com.

What happens during the carnival?

The programme has two halves. The first is mostly ticketed and staged at the Recinto Ferial (Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos), which replaced Plaza de España as the main stage after 2005: preliminary rounds and finals for murgas (satirical choirs), comparsas (Latin-rhythm dance troupes), rondallas and other groups, and the Gala de Elección de la Reina, a televised show built around enormous costumes. The carnival counts more than 100 official groups.

The second half takes over the streets. A Cabalgata Anunciadora (opening parade) leads into nights of open-air concerts and kiosks, the Coso Apoteosis parade on Carnival Tuesday, the Entierro de la Sardina (a mock funeral that ends with a sardine being burned) and daytime carnival parties. According to Tenerife's tourist board, the night-time party concentrates between Plaza de España, the San José area, Villalba Hervás and Plaza del Príncipe, with Avenida de Anaga and Calle San José among the busiest streets.

Why is the 1987 Celia Cruz concert famous?

On Carnival Tuesday, 3 March 1987, the Cuban singer Celia Cruz played a street dance in Santa Cruz. The crowd was recorded at about 240,000 people (often rounded to 250,000), and the event entered the Guinness Book of Records. It remains the reference point locals mention when comparing crowds.

How to plan a visit

Street events are free; the galas and contests require tickets, which go on sale through the official channels and tend to sell out quickly. Hotels in the capital and in La Laguna fill early for the street-party weekends, so book as soon as dates are fixed. The tram links La Laguna with Santa Cruz, which is far easier than driving into a centre with closed streets; check special carnival timetables on the operator's site. Costumes are the norm on the street, even simple ones.

The carnival can be combined with daytime trips to the Anaga Rural Park or Teide National Park, though February can bring snow or road closures at altitude. If you want a contrast, Los Indianos on La Palma and the Las Palmas carnival on Gran Canaria fall in the same season.