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Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
This is not so well known but the capital of Tenerife, the biggest island in the whole Canaries, holds the second biggest carnival in the world. It is no surprise that Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a twinned city with Rio de Janeiro – the host of the biggest carnival in the world – Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. Throughout the years with the growing tourism, the popularity of the event only grew.
In 1987 more than 250,000 gathered for the performance of Celia Cruz during the Carnival and it was registered by World Guinness Book Records as the biggest people gathering in an outdoor plaza to date. Though it was not acknowledged by the same institution, it is well-recognized that more than 400,000 people gathered during Day Carnival in 2019.
Every Queen of Carnival is more beautiful than the others. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
A Brief History of Carnival in Spain
The celebration of the carnival has been in the Canary Islands since the arrival of Europeans. Though considered to be a Christian event, it could be a continuation of some kind of pagan tradition to celebrate the return of light.
Today it is the biggest annual event held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but not everybody all the time likes the idea of carnival and wearing masks. Throughout history, there have been several attempts to ban masks or the carnival itself. Despite all the attempts the celebrations persisted. Together with Cadiz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife continued to celebrate the carnival even during the Franco regime when the event was banned, probably due to pagan origins. The resilience of people might be the reason why Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts such a big carnival these days.
One thing is for sure – Spaniards know how to celebrate & party. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
Where to stay?
I’ve been to Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife only for The Grand Parade day but from what I saw – it left me with the impression that the city is partying for the whole duration of the Carnival. So, it depends on what you are after for but if fun is the goal – the closer to the city center – the closer to the action. If you are interested only in the parade part of the carnival – anywhere would do. Just keep in mind that you’ll have to get there somehow. TITSA transportation company will have an increased number of buses operating, depending on the crowds.
Recommended locations: Plaza de España, Plaza Principe de Asturias, Plaza de la Candelaria, Fountain Square Weyler or anywhere else in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for quieter nights.
Staying close to the city center will make you feel like a part of the carnival even when at home. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
Santa Cruz Carnival 2026 Details
- Carnival theme: Latin Rhythms (Ritmos Latinos)
- Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Date: Jan 16 – Feb 22
- Entrance: Free
- Accomondation: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Parade-watching location: Plaza de España
- Main events: The Queen’s Gala (Feb 11), The Opening Parade of the Carnival (Feb 13), The Big Carnival Parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Feb 17)
Carnival Map
Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2026 Schedule
In 2019 when I was visiting Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the event I found it quite difficult to find relevant information except in Spanish. Each year I try to translate every bit of information I can find and translate it to English. Also, I added Google Maps directions to all the locations where the event is taking place. I hope you find this useful because it was exactly what I needed in 2019 when I last visited the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Week 1
Friday, Jan 16
- 21:30 – Carnival Inauguration 2026 (Inauguración del Carnaval 2026) – Plaza de España
Week 2
Friday, Jan 23
- 19:00 – Children’s Murgas First Phase (Primera Fase Murgas Infantiles) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Saturday, Jan 24
- 19:00 – Children’s Murgas Second Phase (Segunda Fase Murgas Infantiles) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Sunday, Jan 25
- 17:00 – Choreographic Festival (Festival Coreográfico) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Photo from Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2019. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
Week 3
Monday, Jan 26
- 20:30 – Adult Murgas First Phase (Primera Fase Murgas Adultas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Tuesday, Jan 27
- 20:30 – Adult Murgas Second Phase (Segunda Fase Murgas Adultas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Wednesday, Jan 28
- 20:30 – Adult Murgas Third Phase (Tercera Fase Murgas Adultas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Thursday, Jan 29
- 20:30 – Adult Murgas Fourth Phase (Cuarta Fase Murgas Adultas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Saturday, Jan 31
- 20:30 – Murgas Final (Final de Murgas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Week 4
Sunday, Feb 1
- 17:00 – Musical Groups Contest (Concurso de Agrupaciones Musicales) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Monday, Feb 2
- 18:00 – Children’s Queen Election Gala (Gala de Elección de la Reina Infantil) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Wednesday, Feb 4
- 17:30 – Seniors Queen Election Gala (Gala de Elección de la Reina de los Mayores) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Friday, Feb 6
- 20:30 – Song of Laughter (Canción de la Risa) – Guimerá Theater
Saturday, Feb 7
- 21:00 – Comparsas Contest (Concurso de Comparsas) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Sunday, Feb 8
- 17:00 – Costumes Contest (Concurso de Disfraces) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
- 17:00 – Rondallas Contest (Certamen de Rondallas) – Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín
Week 5
Tuesday, Feb 10
- 20:30 – Los Fregolinos Presentation Concert (Concierto de Presentación de Los Fregolinos) – Guimerá Theater
Wednesday, Feb 11
- 21:00 – Carnival Queen Election Gala (Gala de Elección de la Reina del Carnaval) – Recinto Ferial de Tenerife
Thursday, Feb 12
- 20:30 – La Zarzuela Presentation Festival (Festival de Presentación de La Zarzuela) – Guimerá Theater
Friday, Feb 13
- 19:30 – Opening Parade (Cabalgata Anunciadora) – Avenida Francisco la Roche
- 19:30 – Floats and Decorated Cars Contest (Concurso de Carrozas y Coches Engalanados) – Puente Galcerán
- All day – Carnival Night (Noche de Carnaval)
During the Grand Parade of the Carnival you can see all of the Queen of Carnival finalists. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots
Week 6
Saturday, Feb 14
- 21:00 – Rhythm and Harmony Contest (Certamen de Ritmo y Armonía) – Avenida Francisco la Roche
- 21:00 – Night Carnival (Carnaval de Noche)
Sunday, Feb 15
- 11:00 – Ni Fú-Ni Fá Performance – Plaza del Príncipe
- 11:00 – Los Fregolinos Concert (Concierto de Los Fregolinos) – Plaza del Príncipe
- All day – First Day Carnival (Primer Carnaval de Día)
Monday, Feb 16
- 22:00 – Dragnaval Gala (Gala Dragnaval) – Plaza de la Candelaria
- 21:00 – Night Carnival (Carnaval de Noche)
Tuesday, Feb 17
- 11:00 – Ni Fú-Ni Fá Performance – Plaza del Príncipe
- 11:00 – Los Fregolinos Concert (Concierto de Los Fregolinos) – Plaza del Príncipe
- 16:00 – Grand Carnival Parade (Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval) – Avenida Francisco la Roche
Wednesday, Feb 18
- 22:00 – Burial of the Sardine (Entierro de la Sardina) – Calle Juan Pablo II
Thursday, Feb 19
- All day – Rondallas Festival (Festival de Rondallas) – Teatro Guimerá
- All day – Inclusive Carnival (Carnaval Inclusivo)
Friday, Feb 20
- 18:00 – Children’s Parade (Coso Infantil) – Parque García Sanabria, Calle Méndez Núñez S/N, 38004, Tenerife
- All day – Carnival Night – Piñata Night (Noche de Carnaval – Noche de Piñata)
Saturday, Feb 21
- All day – Second Day Carnival (Segundo Carnaval de Día) – Carnaval de Calle
Sunday, Feb 22
- All day – Ni Fú-Ni Fá La Zarzuela Performance – Plaza del Príncipe
- 17:00 – End of Festival and Fireworks Display (Fin de Fiesta y Exhibición Pirotécnica)
- All day – Antique Cars Exhibition (Exhibición de Coches Antiguos)
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Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the second biggest in the whole world. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting the Dots