Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival  2026 main events schedule:

• 31st January Murgas Contest
• 01st February Children Queen Election
• 07th February Comparsas contest
• 11th February Adult Queen Election Gala
• 13th February Carnival Announcing Parade
• 15th February Carnaval de Día – Carnival for the Family
• 17th February Grand Carnival Parade “Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval” (4 pm)
• 18th February Funeral for the Sardine – Entierro de la Sardina
• 21st February Carnaval de Día – Carnival for the Family
• 22nd February End of the Carnival
  
  The carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held, yearly, mid January to mid February, different dates). The preparations for the carnival start several month before, when the participants groups make their unique costumes.

Every group picks a subject to be represented in the carnival and the costumes are made for the chosen subject. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival is known as one of the greatest carnival in the world, second only to the carnival of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

In spite of the fact that in this period of year, carnivals are celebrated in all seven Canary Islands, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife is known as the greatest and beautiful one. Due to the numerous visitors during the carnival days and the high demand for accommodations it is recommended to check hotel rates and book rooms well in advance.

The celebration begins, officially, with the choice of the queen’s carnival, after it colorful dancing parades of the Samba’s schools take place. Every group with its colorful costumes competes on the first place. In addition to the dancing groups bands and choirs march alongside decorated horses.

The climax of the dancing contests is held on the third day of the carnival in the local stadium where thousand of visitors, locals and tourists, enjoy the scenes, music and amazing rhythm.