🎭 Theme: “Latin Rhythms” (Ritmos Latinos)
The 2026 carnival celebrates Latin American rhythms including samba, salsa, merengue, and bachata.
📅 Overall Dates
January 16 – March 1, 2026 (Full carnival period)
February 11-22, 2026 (Main street festivities)
🗓️ Complete Schedule of Events
January 2026
- Friday, January 16 – Official Inauguration of Carnival 2026
- Thursday, January 22 – 1st Phase of Junior Murgas Contest
- Friday, January 23 – 2nd Phase of Junior Murgas Contest
- Saturday, January 24 – 3rd Phase of Junior Murgas Contest
- Sunday, January 25 – Festival of Choreographed Groups
- Monday, January 26 – 1st Phase of Adult Murga Contest
- Tuesday, January 27 – 2nd Phase of Adult Murga Contest
- Wednesday, January 28 – 3rd Phase of Adult Murga Contest
- Friday, January 30 – Final of the Murga Contests
- Saturday, January 31 – Contest of Musical Groups / Murgas Contest
February 2026
- Sunday, February 1 – Gala Election of the Junior Carnival Queen
- Wednesday, February 4 – Gala of the Senior Carnival Queen
- Thursday, February 5 – Comedy Song Contest
- Saturday, February 7 – Comparsas Contest (dance groups competition)
- Sunday, February 8 – Costume Contest and Rondallas Contest
- Tuesday, February 10 – Los Fregolinos Concert
- Wednesday, February 11 – Gala Election of the Carnival Queen (one of the main highlights)
- Thursday, February 12 – Festival of Zarzuela
- Friday, February 13 – Opening Parade (Cabalgata Anunciadora) – Official start of street carnival
- Saturday, February 14 – Rhythm and Harmony Parade (Ritmo y Armonía) – Comparsas dance competition
- Sunday, February 15 – Daytime Carnival (Carnaval de Día) – Family-friendly celebration
- Monday, February 16 – Carnival Monday street celebrations
- Tuesday, February 17 – Grand Carnival Parade “Coso Apoteosis” (Main Parade at 4 PM) – The biggest event
- Wednesday, February 18 – Burial of the Sardine (Entierro de la Sardina) – Symbolic end of carnival
- Thursday, February 19 – Festival of Rondallas
- Friday, February 20 – Children’s Carnival Parade
- Saturday, February 21 – Daytime Carnival (Carnaval de Día)
- Sunday, February 22 – Exhibition and parade of vintage/classic cars, end of carnival party, fireworks display
March 2026
- Sunday, March 1 – Piñata Sunday – Final weekend celebration marking the absolute end
🎪 Key Highlights & Main Events
Queen Election Gala (February 11)
Spectacular competition where candidates parade in elaborate costumes weighing over 100 kilos on a massive stage. This is one of the most glamorous events of the carnival.
Opening Parade (February 13)
Thousands of people and dozens of musical groups fill the streets in a colourful procession marking the official start of street festivities.
Rhythm and Harmony (February 14)
Dance troupes (comparsas) compete with dazzling choreography, elaborate feathered costumes, and infectious Latin-inspired music.
Coso Apoteosis – Grand Parade (February 17)
The absolute highlight featuring:
- The Carnival Queen and her court on magnificent floats
- Dozens of themed floats
- Energetic dance troupes (Comparsas)
- Satirical singing groups (Murgas)
- Brass bands
- Confetti, music, and fireworks
Burial of the Sardine (February 18)
A humorous funeral procession with “widows” and “mourners” symbolically ending the carnival by burning a giant sardine.
📍 Main Locations
- Plaza de España
- Plaza de la Candelaria
- Avenida Francisco La Roche (Avenida Anaga)
- Avenida Marítima
- Tenerife International Trade Fair and Congress Center
💡 Practical Tips
- Book accommodation early – Hotels fill up quickly
- Dress up – Costumes are essential; shops sell wigs, masks, and accessories
- Arrive early for parades – Streets get very crowded
- Use public transportation – Parking is extremely difficult
- Stay hydrated – Bring water
- Wear comfortable shoes – You’ll be walking and standing for hours
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is considered the second largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro and is a Festival of International Tourist Interest!
