Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a vibrant annual celebration held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, usually in February or March. Known for its lively parades, elaborate costumes, and both official and street festivities, it draws crowds from around the world for days of music, dance, and spectacle.

• Declared Fiesta of International Tourist Interest in 1981
• Features both official and street carnivals
• Election of the Carnival Queen is a major event
• The 'burial of the sardine' marks Ash Wednesday
• Attracts hundreds of thousands of revelers each year

What it is

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife transforms the city into a stage for one of the world’s most renowned carnivals. Locals and visitors alike take to the streets in creative costumes, joining parades, concerts, and parties that fill the city with color and sound. The festival is a source of pride for the people of Tenerife, who see it as a time to celebrate community, creativity, and tradition. It is both a formal event, with organized competitions and galas, and a spontaneous street party where everyone is invited to join in the revelry.

Where it comes from

The roots of the carnival reach back to the earliest European settlements in Tenerife, with references to masquerade and cross-dressing as early as the 17th century. Despite bans during periods of dictatorship in Spain, the festival persisted, sometimes under the guise of a 'Winter holiday.' Over centuries, it has evolved, incorporating influences from visiting cultures and local traditions, and has become a symbol of resilience and joyful defiance. Since 1981, it has been officially recognized as a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations begin with an opening parade on the Friday before Carnival, launching days of continuous festivities. The city hosts both an official carnival, with competitions between musical groups like murgas and comparsas, and a more informal street carnival where thousands don disguises and dance through the night. The election of the Carnival Queen is a highlight, featuring elaborate stage shows and costumes. Ash Wednesday marks the 'burial of the sardine,' a satirical ceremony signaling the end of the main festivities, but the party resumes for Piñata weekend. Music, dance, and creative costumes are everywhere, and the city’s plazas and streets are filled with energy late into the night.

Joining in

Visitors are welcome to join the celebrations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the entire city becomes a festival ground. The main events, including parades and the Queen’s Gala, take place in central venues like the Plaza de España and the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos. Expect large crowds, vibrant costumes, and music at every turn. Whether you join the official events or simply wander the streets in costume, you’ll find yourself swept up in the joyful spirit of Tenerife’s carnival.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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