Weather disrupts 2018 carnival in Tenerife

Locals know that it always rains at some point during carnival week in Santa Cruz, but it's not often that the weather really messes with the timetable. Last night's Opening Parade in Santa Cruz was very slightly delayed in starting and not all of the carnival queens with their huge costumes joined the parade - newspaper Diario de Avisos describe this parade as "decaffeinated" - as it was missing these "vital elements", because the forecast gusts of wind were double the speed thought safe for them, according to the 'elf and safety guidelines. (They have guidelines?)

The cold is also mentioned as one of the "adverse" meteorological conditions that affected the parade last night. Yeah, about 16C+ of cold. We're still laughing.

The parade did go ahead and still drew a crowd of 78,000 people, it is reported and the same source said that during the first night of carnival only one person was detained and just 57 people were seen by the carnival first aid post.

Also owing to heavy wind and rain in Tenerife, the Gala for the Election of the Carnival Queen in Puerto de la Cruz, that had been scheduled for Thursday evening, had to be posponed. It is now programmed to take place tonight, Saturday, 10 February at 8pm. Further information is available (in English) from the Carnaval Internacional del Puerto de la Cruz website.

Tonight's Rhythm and Harmony Comparsas Contest in Santa Cruz de Tenerife appears, currently, to be expected to be going ahead as planned.

Rain is nowhere near as wet in Tenerife than it is elsewhere in the world (well, it dries quicker) and after the third Cuba Libre, you may even believe me, but if you're going out to party, here's where that ultra cheap costume made from a plastic rubbish sack might just be the the best choice you can make.

The forecast for Santa Cruz de Tenerife according to state meteorological agency, AEMET, for the next few days is for more rain - 100% probability tonight and 95% probability on Monday being the worst. The wind, however, which could present a greater risk for participants, is forecast at only 20kmph and there are no weather warnings. If the forecast is correct, the rain should clear up too by Tuesday afternoon, just in time for Carnival's Main Parade.

Cabalgata Anunciadora | SC de Tenerife 2018

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival Queen 2018

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018, Carmen Laura Lourido Pérez

Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2018 was Carmen Laura Lourido Pérez, with "Renacida" (Reborn), designed by Jorge González Santana and representing FuenteAlta (bottled water).

In 2018, the court was made up of:

1. First Maid of Honour was Rocío Díaz Medina, with a costume entitled 'Belice' (Belize), designed by Santi Castro and representing Centro Comercial Añaza-Carrefour.
2. Second Maid of Honour was Ana Deisy Sabina García, with a costume entitled 'El secreto del firmamento' (The secret of the firmament), designed by Eduardo Martín and representing Centro Comercial Alcampo La Laguna.
3. Third Maid of Honour was Rosalía Barreto Suárez, with a costume entitled 'El Reino de los Trece Témpanos' (The Kingdom of the Thirteen Icebergs), designed by Daniel Pages and representing McDonald's and newspaper, La Opinión de Tenerife.
4. And Fourth Maid of Honour was Cathaysa Machado Hernández, with a costume entitled 'Yo disco, yo robot' (I disco, I robot), designed by Borja Abreu and representing rum producer, Ron La Indiana.

The theme of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2018 was "La Fantasía" (Fantasy). For the first time in the history of carnival, three women acted as masters of ceremony at the queen's gala: Laura Afonso, from Canarias Radio; Eloísa González, from Televisión Canaria, and Berta Collado, who has been linked to Antena 3, Cuatro and La Sexta. 

The stage was the largest built in the International Fairs and Congress Centre with more than 2,100 square meters. The gala began with the projection on the screens of a child who had found a book in an enchanted forest and lifted it from between the seats in the audience. The common thread of the introduction to the gala recreated a story, with projections of fairies, enchanted trees, unicorns, a waterfall of fire and a great virtual dragon, among other fantastic elements. 

This year new records were registered, with the participation of more than one million people and 12 million citizens who visited the official profiles of the carnival on social networks. Likewise, 50 million viewers at some point saw main events of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival through the various television channels.

• Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018
• Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018
• Weather disrupts 2018 carnival in Tenerife
• Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2018
• Carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018 Closes

El Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018 YA TIENE REINA

Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018

Marta Morales Paz, Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018

Marta Morales Paz was elected Senior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018, during the Gala in which 9 candidates took part. Dressed in the fantasy ‘Diosa Nivaria’ (Goddess Nivaria), the work of Cristian Santana, the winner represents the City Council of Güímar, Tic Tac Talleres and Pirotécnica La Candelaria.

The court of honor was completed with María del Carmen Cano Pérez, with the fantasy ‘La Estrella’ (The Star), designed by Antonio Santos and representing Macrobingo Estrella and Grupo AC; Carmen Rosa Amaral, with the fantasy ‘La Hechicera’ (The Sorceress), designed by Antonio Santos and on behalf of Espectáculos Bravo and Plataforma Vecinos de Tíncer; María Esther Encinoso Yanes, with the fantasy 'Realmente Mítica' (Really Mythical) with a design by Armony de la Rosa, Asociación Nira and representing Popo Import and the Los Realejos City Council and Evelina de la Fuente with the fantasy "Don't stop dreaming", with a design by Antonio Santos and representing Cafeteria Artadi Dance La Matanza and Restaurant El Cine de Los Cristianos.

Marta Morales Paz, nueva Reina de los Mayores del Carnaval de Santa Cruz

VIDEO: Gala elección Reina de los Mayores | S/C Tenerife 2018

Tenerife in February 2018

Santa Cruz Carnival 2018

On February 1st, the Eve of Candlemass, you should take down your Christmas decorations. Decorations have to be left up past Twelfth Night in Spain, otherwise they’d be gone before the main event - Los Reyes (The Three Kings) - on January 6th and you will often see decorations right through January, but also in British culture: "The eve of Candlemas was the day on which Christmas decorations of greenery were removed from people’s homes and churches."

February 2nd is an island-wide public holiday in honour of the patron of the Canary Islands: the Virgen de la Candelaria. The Fiesta de La Candelaria is held every February 2nd, coinciding with the celebration of Candlemass. In the town of Candelaria there is a program of religious events lasting several days.

Shrove Tuesday, February 13th will be a municipal public holiday in Adeje, Arafo, Arico, Arona, Candelaria, El Rosario, El Sauzal, Fasnia, Granadilla de Abona, Icod de los Vinos, La Matanza de Acentejo, La Orotava, La Victoria de Acentejo, Los Silos, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, San Miguel de Abona, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santa Úrsula and Tacoronte for Carnival Tuesday. The main parade of the carnival in Santa Cruz takes place on February 13th, 2018.

Each year on February 15th, from 5 a.m., the doors of the Santa Catalina convent in La Laguna will be opened for the faithful and the curious to queue around the block for the chance to view the uncorrupted body of Sor María de Jesús (Sister Maria of Jesus) (1643 – 1731), popularly known as La Siervita.

In Granadilla de Abona, their Manga-themed carnival reaches its climax this weekend with highlights being the Main Parade at 5pm on Saturday, 24th February in the centre of the town of Granadilla along the Avenida Mencey de Abona to the Carpa Los Hinojeros, where later there will be dancing to the orchestras, Deliciosa and Acapulco. Then on Sunday, 25th February, beginning at 11am are the Daytime Carnival events taking place in the Plaza de El Médano, with a long list of artists headlined by Puerto Rican singer, Edwin Rivera. 

Programa de Actos del Carnaval 2018

Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz 2018

Ayelén Pierchurowicz Lutzardo, Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018

Ayelén Pierchurowicz Lutzardo was Junior Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2018. Her costume, Y en este jardín, yo soy la reina (And in this garden, I am the queen), designed by Borja Abreu, represents Comparsa Los Joroperos.

The four maids of honour that make up her court are: 

1. First maid of honour: Adriana María Méndez García with Cleo y sus amigos (Cleo and her friends), designed by Santi Castro and representing Pcan Estación Barranco Hondo and Sala Tenerife Sur;
2. Second maid of honour: Carlota Cortés Cruz with the costume ¡Luces, cámara y acción! (Lights, camera and action!) by Eduardo Martín and representing Club Rik & Rok-Alcampo La Laguna; 
3. Third maid of honour: Daniela Torres Navarro with the fantasy Diente de león (Dandelion) by Daniel Pagés, representing Fachadas Dimurol, S.L.
4. Fourth maid of honour: Daniela González Jorge with the costume ¿Vienes de París? (Do you come from Paris?) designed by Santi Castro and representing Ferreterias Castro Delgado and Las Pirámides.

Ayelén Pierchurowicz Lutzardo, elegida Reina Infantil del Carnaval 2018

Gala de Elección de la Reina Infantil | S/C Tenerife 2018

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

Mascarita ponte el Tacón | Carnaval Internacional Puerto de la Cruz 2018

Tenerife Carnival Dates for 2018

Carnival 2018 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Here are the expected dates for Tenerife carnival in 2018.

Santa Cruz

• 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 Choreographed 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: 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: Rhythm 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 
• Saturday, 17th February: Daytime Carnaval
• Sunday, 18th February: Gathering and Parade of Vintage Cars. Carnival ends with a firework display

The last of the contests is on Wednesday, 7th February, then carnival in the streets begins on Friday, 9th February, with the Opening Parade.

Calendar for Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2018

Puerto de la Cruz

• 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

Los Gigantes

We calculated that Los Gigantes carnival should start on Friday, 23rd February 2018. The confirmed dates are: Friday, 23 February to Sunday, 4 March. 

International Carnival of Los Cristianos 2018  

Carnival International in Los Cristianos 2018

Yay, Arona town hall finally (9 Feb 2018) posted details of the programme of events for Carnival in Los Cristianos 2018, which runs from 1st to 12th March.

Thursday 1 March
8:30pm Presentation of the candidates for Junior, Senior and Adult Carnival Queens in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Friday 2 March
7pm Inauguration of the Carnival Exhibition by Laly González and Mercedes Menéndez at the Centro Cultural de Los Cristianos
9pm Comparsas Contest in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Saturday 3 March
Midday. Daytime Carnival WIG PARTY with Europa FM in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
7pm Zona DJ with varios local DJs in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos
7:30pm Carnival Opening Parade in Playa de Las Américas, from C.C. Gala, in the avda. Rafael Puig Lluvina, to C.C. Oasis, in the avda. Las Américas.
10pm Grand Dance with Billos Caracas Boys in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Sunday 4 March
Midday Carnival Concert with the Arona Town Band in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos
5pm Carnaval procession with the municipal groups (do they mean musical?) in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos
6pm Gathering of Tenerife murga groups in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Monday 5 March
7pm Festival of coreographic groups in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Tuesday 6 March
9pm Gala Election of the Senior Carnival Queen in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Wednesday 7 March
7pm Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Thursday 8 March
9pm Grand Gala Election of the Carnival Queen in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Friday 9 March
7pm Senior Citizens' Carnival Dance in the Patio of the Centro Cultural de Los Cristianos.
9pm Gala Drag Queen of Carnaval in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos, at the end of which will be dancing to the orchestra Deliciosa in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
Midnight Zona DJ with various local DJs in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos

Saturday 10 March
Daytime Carnival with two stages:
Midday Various family-oriented performances and workshops in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos. National and international artists perform on the Los 40 Stage in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
5pm Carnival Costume Contest in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos.
8pm VI Ruta playera (fun run) in homage to the biggest carnival songs. From the Plaza del Pescador, via the Paseo Marítimo, Plaza de la Alpispa, c/ Valle Menéndez, c/ Juan Reverón Sierra, c/ Amalia Alayón and back to the Plaza de la Pescadora, Los Cristianos
10pm Dancing to the orchestras Armonía Show and Wamampy in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
11pm Zona DJ with various local DJs in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos

Sunday 11 March
11am Exhibition of vintage and classic cars in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
Midday Pets' Carnival Costume Contest in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos
4pm Carnival Main Parade from Paloma Beach apartments, in the Avenida Juan Carlos I, to the Centro Cultural de Los Cristianos, after which, dancing to the orchestras Tropin and The Regueton Band in the Carnival Enclosure (opposite the Valdés Center), Los Cristianos

Monday 12 March
9pm Funeral of the Sardine from the Plaza del Pescador (Centro Cultural), to Los Cristianos beach, at the end of which Zona DJ with various local DJs in the Plaza del Pescador (outside the Centro Cultural), Los Cristianos

The authorities caution that this programme may suffer modifications.

Carnaval Internacional de Los Cristianos, Arona 2018

All dates are liable to change beyond our control.