After more than 20 years, posts here will now only be occasional ( |
| The poster designed by Héctor Expósito from La Palma, entitled "Es más bello vivir bailando" (It is more beautiful to live dancing), was the winner of the competition organized by Fiestas de Santa Cruz de Tenerife and represents this year's carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife |
Searching for information on the Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Carnival or Karneval Teneriffa 2026 then you've come to the right place.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026 has a theme and a calendar
‘Ritmos latinos’ (Latin rhythms) will be the theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026, which will be held between January 16 and February 22. The choice of theme is the result of the online vote, organized by the city council, which won with 34.21% of popular support over the other options. The result was announced on the final day of the 2025 carnival in Santa Cruz.
CONFIRMED: The next edition of the Carnival, in 2026, will begin on Friday, January 16 with the Opening Ceremony. After that inauguration and the long list of contests (below, based on many previous years' timetables), Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026 in the streets will begin on Friday, 13 February 2026, with the Opening Parade and will end on Piñata Sunday, February 22.
- Friday, 16 January: Inauguration of Carnival 2026
- Friday, 23 January: 1st Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
- Saturday, 24 January: 2nd Phase of the Junior Murgas Contest
- Sunday, 25 January: Festival of Choreographed Groups
- Monday, 26 January: 1st Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
- Tuesday, 27 January: 2nd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
- Wednesday, 28 January: 3rd Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
- Thursday, 29 January: 4th Phase of the Adult Murga Contest
- Saturday, 31 January: Final of the Murga Contests
- Sunday, 1 February: Contest of Musical Groups
- Monday, 2 February: Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen
- Wednesday, 4 February: Gala of the Senior Carnival Queen
- Friday, 6 February: Comedy Song Contest
- Saturday, 7 February: Comparsas Contest
- Sunday, 8 February: Costume Contest and the Rondallas Contest
- Tuesday, 10 February: Los Fregolinos Concert
- Wednesday, 11 February: Gala Election of the Carnival Queen
- Thursday, 12 February: Festival of Zarzuela
- Friday, 13 February: Opening Parade 275 photos
- Saturday, 14 February: Rhythm and Harmony Comparsas photos
- Sunday, 15 February: Daytime Carnaval
- Monday, 16 February: Carnaval Monday and Gala Dragnaval
- Shrove Tuesday, 17 February: Carnival Main Parade
- Wednesday, 18 February: Burial of the Sardine photos
- Thursday, 19 February: Carnaval Inclusivo and Festival of Rondallas
- Friday, 20 February: Children's Carnival Parade 6pm
- Saturday, 21 February: Daytime Carnaval (Santa Cruz de Tenerife drew over 425,000 people on Piñata Saturday)
- Sunday, 22 February: Exhibition and parade of vintage and classic cars, end of carnival party and carnival closes with a firework display
Many of the events can be watched live on CarnavalTVC
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| From the Cabalgata Anunciadora (Carnival Opening Parade) on 1 Mar 2019 |
(Don't worry about carnival in the streets beginning on Friday the 13th, because it's Martes 13 (Tuesday 13th) that is considered unlucky in Spain.)
Thirty years before: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 1996
Twenty years before: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2006
Ten years before: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2016
The International Carnival of Puerto de la Cruz this year looks to Mexico as its source of inspiration and the festivities kick off on Friday, February 6, with the official inauguration and the presentation of the candidates in the Plaza de Concejil, starting at 9:00 pm. The carnival runs to Sunday 22 February. Some key dates and events are:
- Thursday 12 February - Election of the Carnival Queen
- Friday 13 February - Election of the Carnival King
- Wednesday 18 February - Burial of the Sardine
- Friday 20 February - Mascarita Ponte Tacón
- Saturday 21 February - Main Parade, from 4 pm.
Further details from: Programa del Carnaval Internacional 2026
Los Gigantes Carnival 2026
All dates are subject to changes that are beyond our control