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.
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.
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.
Santa Cruz Carnival 2024 Details
- Carnival theme: Television
- Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
- Date: Jan 12 – Feb 18
- Entrance: Free
- Accomondation: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Parade-watching location: Plaza de España
- Main events: The Queen’s Gala (Feb 7), The Opening Parade of the Carnival (Feb 13), The Big Carnival Parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (17 Feb)
Carnival Map
Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2024 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. The schedule and location information are taken from the official carnival website(find the reference at the end of the article) and translated into 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 12
- 21:30 – Opening of Carnival 2024
Week 2
Thursday, Jan 18
- 19:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 1 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses‘;
Friday, Jan 19
- 19:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 2 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Saturday, Jan 20
- 19:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 3 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Sunday, Jan 21
- 17:00 – Choreographic Festival – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Week 3
Monday, Jan 22
- 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 1 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Tuesday, Jan 23
- 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 2 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Wednesday, Jan 24
- 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 3 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Friday, Jan 26
- 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Final – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Saturday, Jan 27
- 20:00 – Musical Groups Contest – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Sunday, Jan 28
- 18:00 – Children’s Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Week 4
Wednesday, Jan 31
- 17:00 – Elderly’s Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Friday, Feb 2
- 20:30 – La Canción de la Risa (Laughter Song Contest) – Guimerá Theater;
Saturday, Feb 3
- 20:00 – Comparsas (Troupe Contest) – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
- 20:30 – Performance of the Lyric Musical Group Los Fregolinos – Guimerá Theater;
Sunday, Feb 4
- 17:00 – Concurso Disfraces (Costume Contest) – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
- 17:00 – Certamen Rondallas (Orchestra’s Contest) – Auditorium of Tenerife Adán Martín;
Week 5
Wednesday, Feb 7
- 21:30 – Carnival Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
Thursday, Feb 8
- 20:30 – Performance of the Agrupación Lírica La Zarzuela of Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero – Guimerá Theater;
Friday, Feb 9
- 20:00 – Float Cars and Cars Contest – Avenida de Bélgica;
Saturday, Feb 10
- 21:00 – Rhythm and Harmony Comparsas Contest – Avenida Francisco La Roche;
Sunday, Feb 11
- 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
- 13:00 – Day’s Carnival and Carnival Dances – Plaza Isla de La Madera;
Week 6
Monday, Feb 12
- All day – Carnival’s Monday
Tuesday, Feb 13
- 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
- 16:00 – “Coso” Apotheosis of the Carnival – Avenidas de Francisco La Roche;
Wednesday, Feb 14
- 22:00 – Burial of the Sardine – Juan Pablo II Street > Méndez Núñez, El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina and ending at la Plaza de España. Burning of the Sardine in la Avenida Marítima;
Thursday, Feb 15
- 20:30 – Festival de Rondallas – Guimerá Theater;
Friday, Feb 16
- 18:00 – Children’s Arena – Starting from Parque García Sanabria and going through the streets of El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina
- 20:00 – Dragnaval & Festival Award Winners – Plaza de La Candelaria;
Friday, Feb 17
- 13:00 – Day Carnival – All stages with performances;
Sunday, Feb 18 – Pinata Sunday
- 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
- 17:00 – Grand End of Carnival Party 2023 – Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero;
- 18:00 – End of Fiesta, the tour of groups through the center of the city. At the end of the great fireworks display – Ron Barceló Stage in the Plaza de La Candelaria;
You May Be Also Interested in…
