Carnaval

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the largest and most renowned celebrations in the world, comparable to that of Rio de Janeiro, with which it shares spirit, rhythm, and passion. Held every year in February, it offers weeks of events that transform the city into a stage for boldness, color, and creativity. Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, this carnival combines tradition, art, satire, and community into an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.

It all begins with the galas, especially the election of the Carnival Queen, where the candidates parade in monumental costumes several meters high and weighing hundreds of kilos. Then come the competitions for murgas (satirical singing groups), comparsas, musical groups, and costumes. The streets of downtown Santa Cruz are filled with thousands of costumed people during the parades and, especially, during the Day and Night Carnivals, when the city never sleeps. It's a street carnival, where everyone is the protagonist.

Amidst the laughter and political satire, the rhythm of batucada music, the lights, and confetti, there are also solemn and symbolic moments, such as the Burial of the Sardine, a ceremony in which the farewell of Carnival is mourned in a humorous way. All this takes place in a cozy atmosphere, where Tenerife's pleasant winter weather accompanies this outdoor cultural explosion.

More than a party, it is a living manifestation of the Canarian identity: irreverent, hospitable, creative, and profoundly joyful.