Live the magic of carnival in Tenerife this winter

The Canary Islands carnival is thought to have been celebrated in some way, shape or form ever since the Spanish colonised the archipelago, at the end of the 17th century. Thanks to the islands’ strategic location, over time they quickly became an international melting pot creating a carnival celebration as rich and diverse as the islanders celebrating it. Used as a way to celebrate the arrival of spring, the celebrations evolved to incorporate traditions from Latin America, Europe and Africa. Today, Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts the largest carnival of all the islands and the second-largest carnival in the world.

Just as the dates of Easter change each year, so do the dates of the carnival. When planning to visit the carnival in Tenerife, be sure to look up the exact dates for the upcoming celebrations. This celebration marked as a Festival of International Tourist Interest is a multi-day festivity that takes place each year and fills Tenerife’s capital with a whirlwind of lively music, vibrant costumes and infectious joy. It is one of the Tenerife travel experiences not to be missed.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting one of the best winter holiday destinations in the sun during the Tenerife carnival in February, then you’ll get to see the magic happen for yourself. Oh, and carnival is all about dressing up, so make sure you take a costume. 

Each year, the carnival in Tenerife has a dedicated theme which all participants are recommended to follow. From movie stars to New York City the theme invites everyone to dress up and grace the streets with their vibrant costumes. Those participating in the gala and carnival parade enlist the help of local artisans who spend months creating elaborate costumes that sometimes are so big and heavy they require a vehicle to support them as the wearer parades the streets. 

While the costumes provide a visual feast, the heart of the carnival in Tenerife lies in the diverse array of events. The crowning jewel of all is the grand carnival parade, known as the Gran Cabalgata. 

The election of the carnival queen is a popular highlight. Contestants wear incredibly elaborate, impossibly heavy dresses and compete for the crown, awarded to the most beautiful, spectacularly dressed woman. This celebration has been dubbed an event of tourist interest by the Spanish government.

The carnival procession itself, however, is probably the most unmissable part of the celebrations. There’s always a theme, and people from all walks of life and all ages take part in the spectacular parade. This striking procession of floats, dancers and musicians snakes through the city streets and as the sun sets, the vibrant hues of the costumes fill the city with life creating an atmosphere that is nothing short of magical. The Latin rhythms float on the warm island breeze, inviting locals and visitors alike to join in and dance. From salsa and merengue to traditional Canarian folk songs, the music encapsulates the island’s dynamic spirit. 

This competition shows the talent of local musical groups known as comparsas. These singing groups wear incredible costumes and mainly sing about current political and social issues, often being pulled around on floats or trailers pulled by tractors. Murgas also take part in this celebration. A murga is the comic equivalent of a comparsa, with these groups singing songs that make the crowds chortle. The energy and vibrancy of these groups offer a glimpse into the intricate culture of carnival. 

During the carnival in Tenerife, you can witness a curious tradition called the mataculebra. This tradition came to the island at the end of the 19th century with people returning from Cuba who had learned these traditions from the slaves living on the island. This is a dance which represents good and evil and was a criticism of the slave culture that survived for so long in Cuba. It’s one of the biggest events of Carnival Monday.

When the parade is over, one of the last events of the festivities is the Burial of the Sardine, on Ash Wednesday. People set their sparkly costumes aside, get dressed up in black clothing, and a giant model of a sardine is paraded around the town. Once the sardine reaches the sea, it is then set alight and a firework display marks the end of the fun for yet another year. Expect to see people pretending to cry and mourn during this hilarious Tenerife carnival activity.

Carnival doesn’t just remain on the streets. The fun fair is a classic part of city life during carnival in Tenerife with children young and old joining in on the fun. With traditional rides such as the bumper cars and the Ferris wheel, the fair is a great way to partake in some family fun during the festivities.

If you’re planning on experiencing the carnival in Tenerife for yourself, then you’ll need to plan well in advance. This is one of the most popular celebrations in the world, so accommodation fills up quickly and can get very pricey if you don’t plan. It is also worth noting that the Spanish love to party and the festivities last all day and all night, well into the early hours of the morning. 

If you plan to attend with children, it is best to avoid the evening events and stick to the day carnival which is a family-orientated celebration complete with kid-friendly entertainment and food stalls. Since there are so many people in attendance, keeping an eagle eye on your belongings at all times is a must.

But, the most important thing of all is to have fun and dance like there is no tomorrow. The Tenerife Santa Cruz carnival is a fun-filled fortnight of parties and parades that showcase the magic and sparkle of the Canary Islands culture. 

When making your carnival plans, be sure to look for a city centre hotel such as the Occidental Santa Cruz Contemporáneo. This way you will be at the heart of the action and just a moment away from bed when you are ready to retire your dancing shoes. Being so close to the party does mean that you will also be close to the noise and the crowds so it is worth planning when choosing accommodation if you are sensitive to environmental noise during your rest time. It is also worth noting that all the major municipalities host their carnival celebrations with Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz, the Los Gigantes Carnival and Las Americas Carnival being some of the favourites on the island. If you are staying at Barceló Santiago, you will also be close to the action when looking for carnival activities on the island’s south coast.