Gala Election of the Senior Carnival Queen

Just one more week of contests for all of the carnival components and on Wednesday, 31 January 2018 the Senior Carnaval Queen is to be chosen in a gala that starts at from 5:30pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses.

Gala Reina de los mayores S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Traditional Fiestas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Apoteosis del Carnaval, Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The main events annually in the island's capital include:

• Carnival: Santa Cruz de Tenerife is known internationally for it's carnival, usually in February/March.
• Fiestas de Mayo: The city was founded on 3 May 1494 (Día de La Cruz). The night of 2 May a Baile de Magos, takes place with participants in traditional costume and the city is decorated with flowers, with numerous religious processions, romerías, sports events and more.
• Fiestas del Carmen: Virgen del Carmen 16 July.
• 25 July: Santa Cruz celebrates the day of Santiago Apóstol (patron of the city) as well as the defeat of Admiral Horatio Nelson who tried to invade the city in 1797.

Photo Philippe Teuwen Some rights reserved

Find a hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Weather in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2018

The theme of the International Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz this year is Greek Mythology - the poster is entitled Carnaval en Olimpo (Carnival in Olympus).

The schedule for the main events should go as follows:

• Thursday, February 8th, 2018 - Election of the Carnival Queen
• Saturday, February 10th, 2018 - Proclamatory Parade
• Wednesday, February 14th, 2018 - Burial of the Sardine
• Friday, February 16th, 2018 - Men´s Marathon in High Heels
• Saturday, February 17th, 2018 - Main Parade

More information may become available at the Fiestas Puerto de la Cruz Facebook event:

Carnaval Internacional 2018 | Puerto de la Cruz



Photos and video from Carnaval de Puerto de la Cruz 2017

San Antonio Abad Livestock Fair and Romería in Buenavista del Norte

Livestock Fair in Buenavista del Norte

The Livestock Fair and Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad (Saint Anthony Abbot) takes place on the 4th Sunday in January in Buenavista del Norte - this year 28 January 2018. If the program follows that of previous years, expect that the Livestock Fair begins around 11 am at the Urbanización Las Marinas in the Triana district of the town, whilst at the same time, mass is said in honour of the saint at the church of Ntra. Sra. de Los Remedios, after which the icon is taken in procession to the livestock enclosure, where the animals will be blessed at 1 pm. At 2 pm the Romería of San Antonio Abad leaves from Triana and processes, through the streets of the town to reach the Plaza de Los Remedios where the awards ceremony will take place.  Events of the day are rounded off with dancing to the music of a local Orchestra.

Via: Ayuntamiento Buenavista del Norte



Romería San Antonio Abad 2017 BuenaVista del Norte

Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Sunday, 28 January 2018 - from 6pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses - the first of the contests for the carnival queens - on this occasion the junior queen - is being held. Here's how it went last year.

Gala Reina infantil | Carnaval S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Contest of Musical Groups in Santa Cruz

The musical groups of carnival have their contest today, Saturday, 27 January 2018 from 8pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses.

Concurso Agrupaciones Musicales | S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Final of the Murga Contests in Santa Cruz

Fanfare please (kazoo stylee, of course) because today, Friday, 26 January 2018 the final of the murga contests will finally take place from 8:30pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. If you just happen to have almost six hours to spare, here's the coverage from last year just to get you in the carnival mood.

Final Concurso Murgas S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Traditional Fiestas in San Miguel de Abona

The Church of San Miguel Arcángel, San Miguel de Abona

The fiestas in honour of the town's patron, San Miguel Arcángel (St. Michael the Archangel), including the San Miguel de Abona Romería (Harvest Fair) are those of most importance in the district, where the calendar of celebrations include:

• Semana Santa: Procesión Magna y Procesión del Silencio in March / April
• Fiesta in El Frontón: First half of May
• Corpus Christi: June
• San Juan Bautista: 24 June
• Ntra. Sra. Virgen del Carmen: 1st half of July in Guargacho
• Sagrado Corazón de María: 1st half of August in Aldea Blanca
• San Roque: 2nd half of August in San Roque 
• San Miguel Arcángel: around 29 September
• San Esteban: 2nd half of October in Las Zocas
• Santa Cecilia: November

Find a hotel in San Miguel de Abona

The Weather in San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife

Third phase of the adult murga contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The third and last heat of the murga contest takes place on Wednesday, 24 January 2018 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This heat takes place from 8:30pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. Here's coverage from last year.

3ª Fase Murgas adultas S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Second Phase of the Adult Murga Contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Tuesday, 23 January 2018 the second heat of the adult murga contest of carnival will be held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This heat takes place from 8:30pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. Here is coverage of that heat from last year.

2ª Fase Murgas adultas S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

First phase of adult murga contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Last week the junior murga contest heats were held and this week is the turn of the adults, starting today, Monday, 22nd January 2018 with the first of those further three heats. This heat takes place from 8:30pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. Here's a taster in the form of the coverage of the same event last year.

1ª Fase Murgas adultas S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Fiestas of San Antonio Abad in Los Silos

Plaza de La Luz, Los Silos

The Fiestas of San Antonio Abad (Saint Anthony Abbot) are underway this weekend in Los Silos.

Sunday, 21 January 2018, is the climax of the fiestas and the main events, the traditional Feria de Ganado y de Artesanía (Livestock and Crafts Fairs) take place.

The livestock fair starts at 10am and is followed by the procession and blessing of the animals at midday. The craft fair in the Plaza de la Luz also opens at 10am until 7pm, with approximately 80 stalls.

Festival of Coreographed Groups

Sunday, 21st January 2018 sees the Festival of Coreographed Groups, which takes place from 5pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses, as part of carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He is one such group from last year's festival.

YU FUNK - FESTIVAL GRUPOS COREOGRÁFICOS CARNAVAL 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Third phase of the junior murga contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

And so, Saturday, 20 January 2018, the third and final heat in the junior murgas contest takes place from 7pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. Here's coverage from last year as a taster.

3ª Fase Murgas Infantiles S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Second phase of the junior murga contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

If you caught the previous post, you'll know that the murga contests for carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are currently in progress. Friday, 19 January 2018 is the turn of the second phase of the junior contest, which takes place from 7pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses. The video shows coverage of last year's equivalent event.

2ª Fase Murgas Infantiles S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

First phase of the junior murgas contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Whilst I've always said that the murga groups are an acquired taste (and their political satire is perhaps one of the hardest concepts to grasp if Spanish is not your first language), they are a very popular part of carnival in Tenerife, both for participation and to watch.

So popular in fact that the contests, which essentially decide the running order of the various components of the parades, for the murga groups are split into six heats - three junior and three adult - plus the final. This year, the first of those, the 1st phase of the junior murga contests takes place today, Thursday, 18th January 2018. This heat takes place from 7pm at the The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses.

Here's a coverage of last year's equivalent event so you can see what it's about.

1ª Fase Murgas Infantiles S/C Tenerife 2017

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel. 

Santiago del Teide Almond Blossom 2018

The annual Ruta de Almendros en Flor (Almond Flower Route) in Santiago del Teide gains more popularity every year and this year, the town hall has announced that this year’s event will be a much bigger affair than usual. Details of the programme of walks and other events taking place between Friday 26 January - Saturday 17 February 2018 can be found (in both Spanish and English) at on the town hall's facebook page where you will also find details on how to register. There is a nominal €5 fee and places are limited.

Video: Almendros en flor - 2017

Traditional Fiestas in San Juan de la Rambla

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, San Juan de la Rambla

The fiestas with the most historical tradition in the municipality are those celebrated in honour of the saints San Juan Bautista and San José, patrons of the two parishes in the district. The calendar of fiestas includes the following events:

• Vírgen de Candelaria in La Vera: 2 February.
• Día de la Cruz: 3 May.
• San Pancracio in Los Canarios, San José: 12 May.
• San Felipe Neri in La Vera: First week of June.
• San Juan Bautista: 24 June.
• La Cruz y San Pedro in Las Aguas: 2nd weekend of July.
• Vírgen del Carmen: 16 July
• Santa Rosalía in Las Rosas: First weekend in September.
• San José: Second weekend of September
• Romería en Honor a San José: 3rd weekend of September.
• San Rafael: 29 September
• El Rosario in La Rambla and San José: 7 October.
• Cristo de la Villa: 2nd week of October.
• Los Santitos in San Juan and Pan por Dios in San José: 1 November
• San Andrés: 30 November

Photo By Paweł Szubert (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Find a hotel in San Juan de la Rambla

The Weather in San Juan de la Rambla

Carnival of Oz, Carnival Song / Dorada Beer ad for Santa Cruz Carnival 2018

More fun from the annual Dorada beer ad for Santa Cruz Carnival this year, which nods to the theme of Fantasy, with their version of the Carnaval de Osss (Carnival of Oz). The Compañía Cervecera de Canarias (CCC), founded in 1939 when it started to make a beer that is today called Dorada, are major sponsors of carnival in the city.

Anuncio Dorada carnaval 2018, Carnaval de osss

Official Santa Cruz Carnival Song 2018

Another tradition of Santa Cruz carnival is the official carnival song. This year, that honour goes to this track entitled "Carnavalera, carnavalero" by Foncho (ADOLFO MARTÍN), who is considered to be one of the most internationally known of Canarian artists.

Carnavalera, carnavalero | Canción oficial del Carnaval | Televisión Canaria 2018

Inauguration of Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018

Coverage of the inauguration of this year's 'Carnaval de La Fantasía', along with the presentation of the various candidates for the carnival queens that took place on Friday.

Inauguración Carnaval S/C Tenerife | 2018

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel.

A sneak peek at the scenery for Santa Cruz Carnival 2018

The theme of carnival in Santa Cruz in 2018 is La Fantasía (Fantasy) and here is the presentation of the design for the scenery which will form the backdrop for all of this year's carnival contests, including the Gala for the Selection of the Carnaval Queen.

Presentación del Escenario de La Fantasía del Carnaval 2018

Most Santa Cruz carnival events are televised via RTVE or RTVC, locally, nationally and internationally or recordings may be found on the CarnavalTVC Youtube channel.

Traditional Fiestas in La Laguna

Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife

• Semana Santa: March / April
• Corpus Christi: June
• Romería de San Benito Abad: Second Sunday of July
• Los Corazones de Tejina: 24 August
• Romería de Las Mercedes: May
• Virgen de los Remedios: 8 September
• Santísimo Cristo de La Laguna: 14 September
• La Librea: October in Valle de Guerra 

Photo: Alexander Baxevanis Some rights reserved

Find and book a hotel in La Laguna

The Weather in San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Santa Cruz now has a Carnival Museum

Home of Carnival Museum in Santa Cruz

Opened on 28th June 2017, the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife now has a museum dedicated to its annual carnival. The Casa del Carnaval (Home of the Carnival) can be found at Calle Galcerán, 17, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife.



The museum is located in a 1,100 square meter building, located on the bank of the Barranco de Santos, just below the emblematic Galcerán Bridge. The museum also has a cafeteria and a document center with digitized files related to the carnival and its history.

The museum has two exhibition areas; one for temporary exhibitions and also used as an assembly hall, and another for permanent exhibitions in which the costumes of the queen of the carnival of each year are on display, the original posters of the carnival, videos of the history of the fiesta, touch screens and virtual reality glasses, etc.

In addition, the museum also has a workshop for costumes, makeup, masks and wigs. The Casa del Carnaval organizes guided tours and next to the enclosure there is a stop for the tourist bus of Santa Cruz. It also has a gift store with souvenirs inspired by the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Casa del Carnaval is open every day, except public holidays, from 9am to 7pm. Entrance is €1.50 for residents and €6.00 for tourists.



See inside the Casa del Carnival Museum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Arrival of the Three Kings in Garachico

One of the year's most eagerly awaited events takes place every year on the night of 5th January - the arrival of the three kings - and, in my opinion, nowhere does it better than Garachico. Get there early if you want to park anywhere near the town.

CABALGATA DE REYES EN GARACHICO 2017

The Three Kings in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Children - of all ages - will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Magi tonight, and you can really see why with this television coverage from last year's cavalcade in Santa Cruz, which is as big an event as carnival itself in the island's capital.

Cabalgata de Reyes Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2017

Traditional Fiestas in Puerto de la Cruz

Enrame de Chorros in Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz' list may not be as long as some, but they celebrate these large:

• La Candelaria: 2 February.
• Carnaval: February / March
• Semana Santa: March / April
• Fiestas de la Cruz. 3 May
• San Juan: 23-24 June
• Fiestas del Gran Poder and La Virgen del Carmen: around 16 July
• San Andrés: On the eve, 29 November, Fiesta del Cacharro y la Castaña.

Find a hotel in Puerto de la Cruz

The Weather in Puerto de la Cruz

Provisional Calendar for Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2018

Provisional Calendar for Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2018

We've published the likely dates of a few of the regular carnival events before, but here is fuller list of events of Santa Cruz Carnival in this Provisional Calendar 2018 from the official carnival organisers. Below are what the events are, in English. Times and locations, which hardly need translating, can be found at the carnival website or in the graphic above.

• Friday, 12th January: Inauguration of Carnival 2018
• Thursday, 18th January: 1st Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
• Friday, 19th January: 2nd Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
• Saturday, 20th January: 3rd Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
• Sunday, 21st January: Festival of Coreographed Groups
• Monday, 22nd January: 1st Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Tuesday, 23rd January: 2nd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Wednesday, 24th January: 3rd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
• Friday, 26th January: Final of the Murga Contests
• Saturday, 27th January: Contest of Musical Groups
• Sunday, 28th January: Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen
• Wednesday, 31st January: Gala Election of the Senior Carnaval Queen
• Thursday, 1st February: Comedy Song Contest
• Saturday, 3rd February: Comparsas Contest
• Sunday, 4th February: Costume Contest and the Rondallas Contest
• Wednesday, 7th February: Gala Election of the Carnival Queen
• Friday, 9th February: Opening Parade
• Saturday, 10th February: Rhythym and Harmony Comparsas
• Sunday, 11th February: Daytime Carnaval
• Monday, 12th February: Carnaval Monday
• Tuesday, 13th February: Carnival Main Parade
• Wednesday, 14th February: Burial of the Sardine
• Thursday, 15th February: Festival of Rondallas
• Friday, 16th February: Children's Carnival Parade and Festival of Prizewinners
• Saturday, 17th February: Daytime Carnaval
• Sunday, 18th February: Carnival ends with a firework display

You will note that the main day of carnival, we know it as Shrove Tuesday, this year falls on the 13th of the month. Whether this is going to be auspicious or inauspicious, I cannot say, but in hispanic and Greek culture, instead of Friday, Tuesday the 13th (martes trece) is considered a day of bad luck. We'll cross our fingers that this time it isn't!

Tenerife Fiestas in January 2018

Romería de San Antonio in Tigaiga, Los Realejos

January begins with two public holidays; on 1 January for New Year's Day, of course, and 6 January for Epiphany after the annual arrival of Los Reyes (The Three Kings) the night before. The following two municipal holidays take place this January: 

18 Jan -	Festival of Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza	La Guancha
22 Jan -	Festival of San Vicente	Los Realejos

The main celebrations taking place during the month, apart from the parades of the Three Kings in almost every town of any size on the island on the night of 5 January, are the fiestas of San Antonio Abad in La Matanza, Los Silos and Buenavista del Norte on the 3rd or 4th Sundays in January, with the first romería of the year - the Romería de San Antonio in Tigaiga, Los Realejos - taking place on the Sunday nearest to 17 January.

There are also the Fiestas Patronales and the Romería de San Antonio Abad at around the same time in Arona. Whilst in La Caleta in Adeje, there is the Festival of San Sebastián on 19 and 20 January, more photos and information about which can be found at the following reports: Fiesta San Sebastián na Teneryfie and Festival of San Sebastian.