Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2027

The final carnival party in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sunday 22 Feb 2026

Searching for information on the Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Carnival or Karneval Teneriffa 2027 then you've come to the right place.

The year 2027 is an important anniversary for Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as it is forty years since the first time the carnival had a theme - in 1987 that first theme was "Rome". That was also the year that Santa Cruz Carnival got into the Guinness Book of Records when the late Celia Cruz with the Sonora Matancera and Billo's Caracas Boys led the line up of an unforgettable Carnival Tuesday night with more than 240,000 attendees. (That number was since greatly exceeded, but not officially recorded.)

Look back over 40 years of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 

Santa Cruz en Carnaval 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, Guardians of the Sceptre 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

“Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval” (Eternal Rome: The Carnival Empire), theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2027

Santa Cruz has selected the theme for its 2027 Carnival: “Eternal Rome: The Empire of Carnival.” This concept pays homage to the festival's origins and highlights the essence of the Carnival by bridging the past, present, and future, demonstrating the event's continuous evolution and its ability to adapt to changing times. Unlike other years, this theme was not chosen through a public vote; instead, the decision was made by the Santa Cruz Department of Festivities, based on the theme's symbolic and historical significance in honouring the true spirit of the Carnival.

In 1987—forty years ago—Rome marked a turning point in the history of the Santa Cruz Carnival. It was the first theme to provide aesthetic and narrative cohesion to the entire celebration, serving as a unifying storyline.

City Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez highlights that “once again, Santa Cruz demonstrates its ability to evolve without losing its roots, celebrating the origins of a festival that is integral to our identity and our vision of the city.”

“This marks forty years of a specific approach—a fundamental shift in how we understand our Carnival. That is what we want to celebrate with a theme that speaks to our sense of belonging,” the mayor added.

Javier Caraballero, the Councillor for Festivities, elaborates on this concept, noting that “we want the city to continue experiencing Carnival through that sense of belonging—taking pride in who we are and what we have created together.”

Forty years later, the Carnival returns to that starting point to honour the origins of a model that has defined the festival's modern identity—and remains a central element of every edition to this day. Over the past four decades, the practice of adopting an annual theme has enabled us to develop a unique language, creating distinct worlds for each edition that help maintain a connection to the festival's essence.

Cantered on the concept "Eternal Rome: The Carnival Empire," the city will transform into a vast stage where everything revolves around a single idea: Rome as a symbol of collective creation—much like Carnival itself—that has evolved over time without losing its identity.

This approach reimagines Carnival as a grand empire defined by the festivities: a space where performance troupes, musical groups, queens, rondallas, dance ensembles, floats, and the public come together to shape a vibrant, ever-changing cultural tapestry, with the streets serving as the main stage.

“Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval”, tema del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2027

The celebration of the third edition of the Senior Carnival in Plaza de la Candelaria had brought a successful edition to a close in 2026, particularly due to the splendour of the second Daytime Carnival, which drew 425,000 people on Piñata Saturday. It evoked memories of epic events, such as Celia Cruz's Guinness World Record in 1987 - when 250,000 revellers danced outdoors - or Juan Luis Guerra's edition in 2019, when it was reported that more than 400,000 carnival-goers participated. Santa Cruz bid farewell to Carnival this Piñata Sunday. True to tradition, the festivities began in García Sanabria Park with a classic car show, whose roaring engines and honking horns then filled the air as people strolled through the heart of the city. Almost simultaneously, the Afilarmónica Ni Fú-Ni Fá was singing the final songs of the Latin Rhythms Carnival in the bandstand in Plaza del Príncipe.

However, it closed without announcing the dates and theme of the next carnival and, instead the organizers decided to take a period of reflection. The reason being that, if the liturgical calendar, which sets the dates for Easter (and consequently Lent and Carnival), were applied, the festivities in 2027 would have begun on January 8th, only two days after The Three Kings have visited and leaving no time to make preparations. It was later announced that the start of carnival would be delayed for two weeks, with the Opening Gala being moved from January 8th to January 22nd, 2027, while Carnival in the streets will take place from February 19th to 28th.

Santa Cruz unveils the official program of competitions, galas, and events for Carnival 2027

Consequently, the schedule—which traditionally maintained a one-week gap between the opening gala and the first competition—will proceed differently this year: following the January 22 kick-off, the Musical Groups Competition will take place on Saturday, January 23, just one day after the opening. This decision responds to the groups' request to be the first Carnival contest and to hold the event on a Saturday. They will be followed on Sunday, January 24, by the Choreographic Groups, placing dance at the heart of the festivities.

The event schedule continues with the Children's Murga Competition; the first and second rounds will be held on Friday, January 29, and Saturday, January 30, respectively. The weekend will conclude on Sunday, January 31, with the Rondalla Competition. The following week, adult Murgas (musical troupes) [stretching the term musical to breaking point] will take centre stage, performing their preliminary rounds between February 1 and 4 and culminating in the grand *murga* final on the 6th. Come Sunday, the Children's Queen Gala will take place at the Fairgrounds.

It will be the turn of the elderly on Wednesday, February 10, with the Senior Queen Gala and the Senior Citizens' Festival. Friday the 12th will feature the Canción de la Risa (Comedy Song Contest)—a prelude to the Comparsa Competition, which will fill the stage with colour on Saturday, February 13. The week will conclude on Sunday the 14th with the traditional costume contest.

The week before Carnival takes to the streets, the festival's new sovereign will be crowned at the highly anticipated Carnival Queen Selection Gala on Wednesday the 17th, followed by the Los Fregolinos concert on Tuesday the 16th and the Zarzuela Festival on Thursday the 18th.

On Friday, February 19, Carnival will hit the streets with the opening parade, the float and decorated vehicle contest, and the first night of Carnival dances. On Saturday the 20th, the comparsas will hold their increasingly popular "Rhythm and Harmony" contest, a prelude to another night of dancing. The week will wrap up on Sunday with the traditional concert by La Fufa [Afilarmónica NiFú-NiFá] and Los Fregolinos and the first Daytime Carnival event.

Monday, February 22, will see one of the festival's most crowded nights, featuring the fourth edition of the Dragnaval Gala and street dances celebrating the eve of Carnival Tuesday—the day the grand Coso Apoteosis (Main Parade) parade makes its way through the city. On Thursday the 25th, is the Inclusive Carnival and the Rondalla Festival will take the spotlight, as will the youngest Carnival participants on Friday with their Children's Carnival Parade, leading into the "Piñata Friday" dances. Saturday will feature the highly anticipated Daytime Carnival and the Saturday night dances, marking the conclusion of the festivities after more than 18 hours of non-stop music. On Sunday, following the Senior Carnival, the vintage car show, the "Fufa y La Zarzuela" concert, and the fireworks display, the official 2027 Carnival program will come to a close.

Santa Cruz presenta el programa oficial de los concursos, galas y actos del Carnaval 2027

This amended schedule is probably still subject to change:

• Friday 22 January 2027: Inauguration of Carnival 2027
• Saturday, 23 January: Musical Groups Competition
• Sunday, 24 January: Festival of Choreographed Groups
• Friday, 29 January: 1st Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
• Saturday, 30 January: 2nd Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
• Sunday, 31 January: Rondallas Contest
• Monday, 1 February: 1st Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Tuesday, 2 February: 2nd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Wednesday, 3 February: 3rd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Thursday, 4 February: 4th Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Saturday, 6 February: Final of the Murga Contests
• Sunday, 7 February: Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen
• Wednesday, 10 February: Gala of the Senior Carnival Queen
• Thursday, 11 February: Comedy Song Contest
• Saturday, 13 February: Comparsas Contest
• Sunday, 14 February: Costume Contest 
• Tuesday, 16 February: Los Fregolinos Concert
• Wednesday, 17 February: Gala Election of the Carnival Queen
• Thursday, 18 February: Festival of Zarzuela
• Friday, 19 February: Opening Parade
• Saturday 20 February: Rhythm and Harmony Comparsas
• Sunday 21 February: Daytime Carnaval
• Monday 22 February: Carnaval Monday and Dragnaval Gala
• Tuesday 23 February: Carnival Main Parade
• Wednesday 24 February: Burial of the Sardine
• Thursday 25 February: Inclusive Carnaval and Festival of Rondallas
• Friday 26 February: Children's Carnival Parade
• Saturday 27 February: Daytime Carnaval
• Sunday 28 February: Exhibition and parade of vintage cars, Senior Carnival and carnival closes with a firework display

Many of the events can be watched live on CarnavalTVC

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2027

• Thursday 4 February - Election of the Carnival Queen
• Saturday 6 February - Proclamatory Parade
• Wednesday 10 February - Burial of the Sardine
• Friday 12 February - Mascarita Ponte Tacón
• Saturday 13 February - Main Parade

Los Gigantes Carnival 2027

The start of carnival in Los Gigantes is usually on the Friday ten days after Shrove Tuesday, which would be on Friday 19 Feb 2027. Their Carnival Main Parade is usually held on the Sunday, which would be 21 Feb 2027.

Los Cristianos Carnival 2027

As ever, we won't even guess when Los Cristianos carnival will be held. Once available, the dates can generally be found within the relevant year's Calendario de Fiestas del Municipio (Calendar of the municipality's festivals). However ... BE WARNED: Even if Arona publish dates ahead, they are in the habit of changing the dates at the very last minute and these changes have not always been advertised nor reported in the media, so it requires constant manual watching of their site (above) to know.

All dates are subject to changes that are beyond our control

Public Holidays in Tenerife in 2027

The Government of the Canary Islands has approved the decree establishing the 2027 Holiday Calendar for the Canary Islands this Monday, June 29th. The text sets the twelve regional and island-wide holidays and opens the window for municipalities to propose their two local holidays, bringing the total to the maximum of fourteen days stipulated by regulations. 

The list of holidays for the Canary Islands in 2027:

1. January 1 - Año Nuevo (New Year's Day)
2. January 6 - Epifanía del Señor/Los Reyes (Epiphany/Three Kings)
3. March 25 - Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday)
4. March 26 - Viernes Santo (Good Friday)
5. May 1 - Fiesta del Trabajo (Labour Day)
6. May 30 - Día de Canarias (Canary Islands Day)
7. August 16 - Asunción de la Virgen (Assumption of the Virgin) [1]
8. October 12 - Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day of Spain)
9. November 1 - Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day)
10. December 6 - Día de la Constitución Española (Constitution Day)
11. December 8 - Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception)
12. December 25 - Natividad del Señor (Christmas Day)

Additionally, the decree establishes island-specific holidays, which means, in Tenerife, February 2, the Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria is also a holiday. 

[1] August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, is to be observed on Monday the 16th as it falls on a Sunday in 2027.

NB: Now, I'm faithfully translating the list provided on the government's own website, as have various of the local press, however, I'm also a former accountant and can't help counting to reconcile the numbers. The bulleted list above contains 12 dates, which, once you add the island-specific holiday on February 2, brings the running total to 13. If two more days of local holidays were added to this running total, by my calculations, this brings the total to 15, which is clearly one more than 'the maximum of fourteen days stipulated by regulations', so there's an OOPS. Doubtful they'll give away a day extra, so we'll wait to see what might be done to fix the situation.

El Gobierno aprueba el calendario laboral de Canarias para 2027 

More information: Public holidays in the Canary Islands

Queen of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival invited to inaugurate the parade for the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival

The current Carnival Queen, Carla Castro, to open the Notting Hill Carnival parade.

The president of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Ian Comfort, has invited the Queen of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival to open the parade in the British capital this year, coinciding with its 60th anniversary.

Comfort was on the island of Tenerife for the carnival, where he served on the jury for the Carnival Queen election gala and expressed his delight with the level of competition, stating that he hadn't seen anything like it in a long time, as he explained in statements to the online magazine 'The Showroom Mag' reported by Europa Press.

It would be, they explain, the current Queen, Carla Castro, who would have the honor of opening the London parade in this historic edition, its 60th anniversary. The event, scheduled for August 29-31, would place Castro, her costume, and her designers at the heart of one of the world's biggest festive stages, offering international exposure for the Tenerife brand and its main carnival, the Santa Cruz Carnival.

Londres invita a la Reina del Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife a inaugurar el desfile de su 60 aniversario

The Secrets of Tenerife's Oldest Castle

The Castle of San Miguel, the oldest in Tenerife

After 450 years of resisting pirates and the fury of a volcano, San Miguel Castle in Garachico celebrates four and a half centuries of history as the guardian of Tenerife's coast. Built in 1575, this rustic building has survived fires, attacks by Nelson's fleet, and the devastating eruption of 1706.

Garachico has the privilege of housing Tenerife's oldest fortification. San Miguel Castle, an imposing building that has just celebrated its 450th anniversary, stands as a silent witness to the era when the town was the main gateway to the island and the most prosperous port in the archipelago.

Originally built in 1575 to repel pirate and privateer raids, this defensive bastion is today a symbol of resilience. Located next to the famous natural pools of El Caletón, the building has survived fires and, above all, the historic volcanic eruption of Trevejo (Arenas Negras) in 1706. Although the lava buried the port and ended the area's economic dominance, the castle remained intact, untouched by the flow.

The mystery of the warden and a unique architecture

Unlike the fairy-tale castles of the Iberian Peninsula, San Miguel Castle is a rustic stone fortification designed for the modern warfare of its time. "It has no drawbridge or moat because its true enemy was the cannon," explain the cultural promotion experts of the municipality. Its walls, much thicker than usual, were designed to absorb the impact of heavy artillery.

Inside, the castle hides an unparalleled heraldic treasure: five coats of arms, a number unmatched by any other fortress in the Canary Islands. Among them, the most notable is that of Philip II, who authorized its construction to provide the island with a first-rate defence.

However, what most surprises visitors is an almost medieval figure that survives to this day: the chief warden. This lifetime position, currently held by Francisco Gutiérrez Hernández, is a historical rarity. It is believed that he may be the only warden of a castle in all of Spain, a tradition that astonishes even the high-ranking military officers who visit the town.

The flag that faced Nelson

The heritage value of San Miguel is not limited to its walls. The castle is the spiritual home of the Garachico Regiment, whose militia participated in the heroic defence against the attempted conquest by British Admiral Horatio Nelson in 1797.

Inside, one can admire one of the best-preserved flags of the period (dated 1760), which still bears the marks of gunpowder from combat. This piece, usually kept at the Almeida Military Museum, periodically returns to the fortress to commemorate the island's wartime past.

From Military Stronghold to Cultural Centre

The castle's modern history changed in 1959 when the Garachico Town Council purchased the property from the Army for the symbolic sum of 2,719.26 pesetas. Since then, thanks to the efforts of prominent mayors like Lorenzo Dorta, the building has been transformed into the Heritage Information Centre.

Today, San Miguel Castle not only offers the best views of the volcanic landscape and the historic centre from its parapet platform, but it also remains an architectural gem that attracts thousands of tourists. It is a living reminder that Garachico, despite natural disasters, never ceased to be a fortress.

El secreto del castillo más antiguo de Tenerife: 450 años resistiendo a piratas y a la furia de un volcán

The Castle of San Miguel stands imposingly alongside the El Caletón
swimming pools after 450 years of living history

Not such a 'convenience' for those below the castle walls!

Cannon on the roof of San Miguel Castle

Barrel vault ceiling inside the San Miguel Castle

The Carnival Route: Key Dates by Municipality

Carnival Main Parade in Los Cristianos 2024 - Photo Arona Town Hall

If anyone thought that the end of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival meant it was time to pack away their costumes, they were wrong. The island is preparing for another wave of celebrations that will sweep through various municipalities in the coming weeks. From San Cristóbal de La Laguna to the spectacle of the Los Cristianos International Carnival, Tenerife is still in carnival mode. The variety of themes and the overlapping dates in several locations across the island will require even the most enthusiastic carnival-goers to organize their schedule well. Tenerife proves, once again, that Carnival is not just a date on the calendar, but a feeling that refuses to end.

For those who don't want to miss a single dance, here is the itinerary for the coming weeks: 

Candelaria

The town will be dressed up from February 25th to March 1st under the evocative theme "Journey to Japan." It will be five days of festive intensity, with the main event taking place on Saturday, February 28th. That night, at 10:00 p.m., the venue next to the Town Hall will make history with a free concert by Óscar D'León. The "Sonero del Mundo" will be accompanied by El Morocho and the Acapulco and Caracas Latin Brother orchestras.

The closing event, on Sunday, March 1st, will have a strong family focus:

• 12:00 p.m.: Start of the children's parade "El Cosito".
• 2:30 p.m.: Grand Daytime Carnival with the Corinto Band Orchestra.
• 6:15 p.m.: Headlining performance by El Combo Dominicano.
• Finale: Burning of the Sardine and a grand finale with the Nueva Línea Orchestra

Los Cristianos

One of the most anticipated events in the south will take place from March 5th to 16th. The Los Cristianos International Carnival will dedicate twelve days to the theme of space. This event is establishing itself as the main festive epicenter of Arona, transforming the tourist hub into an intergalactic stage that attracts thousands of visitors each year.

The Daytime Carnival, in 2026, will be held on two key dates: March 7th and 14th. These daytime events are designed to make it easier for families and visitors to attend, with a program that includes concerts, workshops, and activities for all ages. For their part, the Opening Parade and the Grand Finale Parade once again become two of the main attractions, thanks to the procession of floats and the participation of troupes from various locations, showcasing the festival's inclusive spirit.

The program also emphasizes diversity and social participation, with initiatives such as the Inclusion Parade, aimed at bringing carnival to all groups, and the now-traditional Drag Queen Show, which adds a touch of irony and spectacle. The festivities will conclude on March 16th with the Burial of the Sardine, a symbolic act that bids farewell to the celebrations with a blend of satirical humor, popular tradition, and a communal atmosphere.

Full program: Carnaval Internacional de Los Cristianos 2026

Granadilla de Abona

With the theme, ‘Beautiful and Beloved Mexico’, on Saturday, February 28, starting at 5:30 p.m., the highly anticipated Grand Carnival Parade will take place, beginning on Avenida Mencey de Abona and ending at Parque de Los Hinojeros. The parade will feature the comparsas Kuliquitacas del Sur, Guajeiros, Aborasau, Joroperos, and Cariocas, as well as the batucadas Baraberé and Tamatimba.

On Friday, March 6, the Plaza de la Cultura in San Isidro will host the Murguero Gathering, starting at 7:00 p.m., with performances by the murgas Guachinquietas, Diablos Locos, and Irónicos.

The grand finale will take place on Saturday, March 7th with the El Médano Daytime Carnival 2026, which will include the inaugural parade and children's day carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with DJ David Pérez and Olga González; and from 5:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., in the Plaza de El Médano, Grupo Nueva Ilusión, Orquesta Los Ideales, DJ Fabrizio Salgado, El Combo Dominicano, Rafael Flores “El Morocho”, Orquesta Nueva Línea and The Boys Machine will take to the stage. The traditional Burial of the Sardine will also take place, starting at 7:00 p.m., departing from the town square and ending at the football field, thus bringing the 2026 Carnival to a close.

The Carnival Route: Key Dates by Municipality

• Garachico February 20 to March 8
• Los Gigantes February 26 to March 8 Los Gigantes carnival is postponed until the weekend of March 13, 14 and 15 (due to adverse weather conditions)
• San Cristóbal de La Laguna February 27
• Granadilla de Abona February 27 to March 7
• Adeje February 28
• Santa Úrsula February 28 to March 1
• Guía de Isora February 28
• Tegueste March 5 to 7
• Arafo March 6

Si te quedaste con ganas de más, no guardes el disfraz: guía completa del Carnaval en Tenerife por municipios

Why is the Last Weekend of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Called Piñata Weekend?

At Carnival on Piñata Saturday 2026

The term "Piñata Weekend" originates from an old custom that prolonged Carnival beyond Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, well into Lent.

Carnival officially ended on Ash Wednesday, and Santa Cruz already mourned during the Burial of the Sardine. But the festivities still have one last push with Piñata Weekend. After Carnival comes Lent, a time historically dedicated to reflection, from which these last two days of celebration are taken. But what is the origin of its name?

The term "Piñata Weekend" originates from an old custom that extended Carnival beyond Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. "In various parts of Spain and in the Canary Islands, the festivities continued during the first days of Lent, in what was known as Little Carnival or Piñata Carnival," explains Julio Torres, a historian from La Laguna, citing researcher Pedro Manuel Grimón González.

Italian Pignatta

The word comes from the Italian word pignatta (fragile pot), because it was traditional that before the start of Lent, a period of fasting and abstinence, the game of breaking a clay pot or pignatta filled with sweets was celebrated.

"The piñata resembled a large orange, covered in colourful fabrics and adorned with numerous colorful ribbons. One of these ribbons opened the mechanism through which the objects inside fell out: nuts, flour, candies, gofio (a type of flour), eggs, sweets, and perhaps a small mouse or rabbit."

Piñata Dance

The piñata was broken as part of a choreographed dance, the Piñata Dance: "Couples began to dance, circling the piñata. The leader kept order so that all the couples took turns pulling the ribbons. When the piñata broke, the music stopped."

Today, carnivals like the one in Santa Cruz de Tenerife maintain Piñata Saturday and Sunday as days of intense festive activity. These dates are located after the Burial of the Sardine and are part of the calendar that marks the end of the celebrations in the city, but the festivities continue in other parts of the island.

¿Por qué se llama Piñata al último fin de semana del Carnaval?

(A pignatta (or pignata) is an Italian term for an earthenware cooking pot, historically used to cook beans in fireplaces. It is the origin of the Spanish word "piñata", referring to the fragile, clay containers used in European and, later, Mexican celebrations. It's derived from the Latin pinea ("pine cone"), referencing the original shape of these pots.)

Winter Olympics Carnival Style on Piñata Saturday in Santa Cruz 2026

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife drew over 425,000 people on Piñata Saturday
• 291 Photos at Piñata Saturday on 21 February 2026

Carnival Main Parade in Santa Cruz 2026

Carnival Queen in the Carnival Main Parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2026

Santa Cruz Carnival reached its climax on Shrove Tuesday, 17 Feb 2026, with a massive four-hour parade. More than a hundred groups, led by the Queen and her ladies-in-waiting, participated to the beat of batucadas and Latin rhythms in the grand, multi-coloured parade that filled Santa Cruz.

Radiant sunshine accompanied yesterday's grand, multi-coloured parade featuring over a hundred groups and organizations from the Santa Cruz Carnival, the queens, and their courts of honour. Thousands of people packed the stands and seating provided by the Santa Cruz City Council along Francisco la Roche and Marítima avenues to enjoy a spectacular afternoon.

The Coso, an unmissable event and one of the most traditional and popular parts of Tenerife's most internationally renowned festival, was a resounding success. It began promptly at four in the afternoon and was characterized by high participation from both the Carnival groups and the thousands of spectators who gathered to enjoy the spectacle.

Once again, the large number of tourists and visitors who wanted to take advantage of their stay on the island to witness one of the most important hallmarks of Carnival was striking.

Comparsas, rondallas, murgas, musical groups, dance troupes, floats, decorated cars, Carnival characters, and the queens, accompanied by their ladies-in-waiting, dazzled with their costumes and performances, accompanied throughout the parade by music, batucadas, and murga marches, in a parade that signalled the approaching end of the quintessential Santa Cruz de Tenerife festival.

Las Celias de Tenerife, a group of men paying tribute to the late singer Celia Cruz [Source]

As a major novelty this year, the popular group Las Celias opened the parade, celebrating 30 years of participation in the Carnival. Its members wanted to pay special tribute to their president and founder, Javier García, who was unable to attend the festivities. To commemorate this happy anniversary, the group brought out every single costume they have worn throughout these thirty years, creating a live exhibition in a moving parade.

Members of the Afilarmónica Nifú Nifá in the Carnival Parade 17 Feb 2026

Following Las Celias, the Afilarmónica Nifú Nifá (the grandfathers of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife) took to the streets and was greeted with applause, demonstrating the enormous affection that Carnival veterans inspire wherever they participate.

The winners of the Costume Contest and the comparsa Bahía Bahitiare then gave way to the adult Carnival Queen, Carla Castro, with her iconic costume.

PHOTOS: Click for another 280 photos of the Coso Apoteosis (Grand Parade)

Following the monarch, the various Carnival groups paraded, including the ladies-in-waiting, the children's and adult queens, and their respective courts. 

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the parade is the opportunity to observe up close and in broad daylight the work of the designers and their teams, who create spectacular costumes worn not only by the Carnival Queen candidates but also by the groups, troupes, and satirical musical groups, brimming with originality, which manage to surprise everyone each year.

The strong family atmosphere of the parade was evident once again throughout the entire route, both among the participating groups and the large crowds who gathered to applaud the creativity and talent of the Carnival performers.

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council installed a total of 6,500 free chairs for the public along the entire parade route, in addition to the bleachers set up along the city's coastline, with a capacity for another 1,300 people.

Many of the seats were filled by tourists, largely from the south and north of the island, where they are spending their holidays. According to the Santa Cruz City Council, around 250 buses carrying tourists arrived in the city yesterday to enjoy the Coso Apoteosis (Grand Parade).

The parade proceeded smoothly and without incident, in a family-friendly atmosphere, with the haze almost dissipated and the participants showing off their elaborate costumes and designs amidst dancing and singing. After about four hours of enjoyment, as the sun began to set, this grand parade came to an end, serving as a prelude to a grand finale that promises to be equally spectacular. Today, Wednesday, the event will take place at 10:00 p.m., when the popular Burial of the Sardine will begin, officially bidding farewell to Carnival, although there will still be one last weekend to enjoy before its final closing next Sunday.

El Carnaval de Santa Cruz vive su apoteosis con un Coso multitudinario de cuatro horas

VIDEO: Coso Apoteosis Carnaval S/C de Tenerife | 2026