The Guide & Schedule for Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2023

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Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

This is not so well known but the capital of Tenerife, the biggest island in the whole Canaries, holds the second biggest carnival in the world. It is no surprise that Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a twinned city with Rio de Janeiro – the host of the biggest carnival in the world – Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. Throughout the years with the growing tourism, the popularity of the event only grew.

In 1987 more than 250,000 gathered for the performance of Celia Cruz during the Carnival and it was registered by World Guinness Book Records as the biggest people gathering in an outdoor plaza to date. Though it was not acknowledged the same institution, it is well recognized that more than 400,000 people gathered during Day Carnival in 2019.

A Brief History of Carnival in Spain

The celebration of the carnival been in Canary Islands since the arrival of Europeans. Though considered to be a Christian event, it could be a continuation of some kind of pagan tradition to celebrate the return of light.

Today it is the biggest annual event held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but not everybody all the time liked the idea of carnival and wearing masks. Throughout history, there were several attempts to ban masks or the carnival itself. Despite all the attempts the celebrations persisted. Together with Cadiz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife continued to celebrate the carnival even during Franco regime when the event was banned, probably due to pagan origins. The resilience of people might be the reason why Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts such a big carnival these days.

Where to stay?

I’ve been to Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife only for The Grand Parade day but from what I saw – it left me with the impression that the city is partying for the whole duration of the Carnival. So, it depends on what you are after for but if fun is the goal – the closer to the city center – the closer to the action. If you are interested only in the parade part of the carnival – anywhere would do. Just have in mind that you’ll have to get there somehow. TITSA transportation company will have an increased number of buses operating, depending on the crowds.

Recommended locations: Plaza de España, Plaza Principe de Asturias, Plaza de la Candelaria, Fountain Square Weyler or anywhere else in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for quieter nights.

Santa Cruz Carnival Details

• Carnival theme: New York
• Location: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
• Date: Jan 20 – Feb 26
• Entrance: Free
• Accomondation: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Parade watching location: Plaza de España
• Main events: The Queen’s Gala (Feb 15), The Opening Parade of the Carnival (Feb 17), The Big Carnival Parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (21 Feb)

Carnival Map

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2023 Schedule

In 2019 when I was visiting Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the event I found it quite difficult to find relevant information except in Spanish. The schedule and location information are taken from the official carnival website(find the reference at the end of the article) and translated to English. Also, I added Google Maps directions to all the locations the event is taking place. I hope you find this useful because it was exactly what I needed in 2019 when I last visited the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Week 1

Friday Jan 20

• Opening of Carnival 2023

Week 2

Thursday, Jan 26

• 20:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 1 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses‘;

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Friday, Jan 27

• 20:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 2 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Saturday, Jan 28

• 20:00 – Children’s Murgas Contest: Phase 3 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Sunday, Jan 29

• 20:00 – Choreographic Festival – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

Week 3

Monday, Jan 30

• 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 1 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Tuesday, Jan 31

• 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 2 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Wednesday, Feb 1

• 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Contest: Phase 3 – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Friday, Feb 3

• 20:30 – Adult’s Murgas Final – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Saturday, Feb 4

• 20:00 – Musical Groups Contest – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Sunday, Feb 5

• 18:00 – Children’s Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

Week 4

Wednesday, Feb 8

• 17:00 – Elderly’s Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Friday, Feb 10

• 20:30 – La Canción de la Risa (Laughter Song Contest) – Guimerá Theater;

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Saturday, Feb 11

• 20:00 – Comparsas (Troupe Contest) – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Sunday, Feb 12

• 11:00 – Concurso Disfraces (Costume Contest) – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;
• 17:00 – Certamen Rondallas (Orchestra’s Contest) – Auditorium of Tenerife Adán Martín;

Week 5

Tuesday, Feb 14

• 20:30 – Performance of the Lyric Musical Group Los Fregolinos – Guimerá Theater;

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Wednesday, Feb 15

• 21:30 – Carnival Queen Election Gala – The Tenerife International Centre for Trade Fairs and Congresses;

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Thursday, Feb 16

• 20:30 – Performance of the Agrupación Lírica La Zarzuela of Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero – Guimerá Theater;

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Friday, Feb 17

• 20:00 – Announcing Carnival Parade 2023 – Starting from the Plaza de la República Dominicana and going through Avenida de la Asunción, Ramón y Cajal, Galcerán, Plaza Weyler, Méndez Núñez, Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina and ending at Avenida Francisco La Roche;
• 20:00 – Float Cars and Cars Contest – Avenida de Bélgica;
• 22:30 – Dances with performances by large orchestras – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;

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Saturday, Feb 18

• 17:30 – Rhythm and Harmony Carnival Dances;
• 18:00 – Parade of Rondallas – from Plaza Weyler to Avenida Francisco La Roche
• 19:00 – Performance of Rondallas – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 19:00 – Rhythm and Harmony Comparsas Contest – Avenida Francisco La Roche;
• 23:30 – Dances with performances by large orchestras – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;

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Sunday, Feb 19

• 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 12:00 – Performance of the Lyric Musical Group Los Fregolinos – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 13:00 – 20:00 – Day’s Carnival and Carnival Dances – Plaza Isla de La Madera;
• 17:30 – Shows on Different Stages – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;
• 22:30 – Dances with performances by large orchestras – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;

Week 6

Monday, Feb 20

• 17:30 – Shows on Different Stages – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;
• 22:30 – Dances with performances by large orchestras – Plazas del Príncipe and La Candelaria; and Avenida Francisco La Roche;

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Tuesday, Feb 21

• 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 12:00 – Performance of the Lyric Musical Group Los Fregolinos – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 16:00 – “Coso” Apotheosis of the Carnival – Avenidas de Francisco La Roche and Marítima;
• 20:00 – Dances with Performances by Large Orchestras – Ron Barceló Stage in the Plaza de La Candelaria;

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Wednesday, Feb 22

• 10:00 – Burial of the Sardine – Juan Pablo II Street > Méndez Núñez, El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina and ending at la Plaza de España. Burning of the Sardine in la Avenida Marítima;
• 10:30 – Dances with Performances by Large Orchestras – Plaza del Príncipe;

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Thursday, Feb 23

• 20:30 – Festival de Rondallas – Guimerá Theater;

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Friday, Feb 24

• 18:00 – Children’s Arena – Starting from Parque García Sanabria and going through the streets of El Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina
• 20:00 – Festival Award Winners – Plaza de La Candelaria;
• 23:30 – Dances with Performances by Large Orchestras – Stages of Plaza del Príncipe, Ron Barceló-Plaza de La Candelaria and avenue Francis La Roche;

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Friday, Feb 25

• All day until 20:00 – Day Carnival – All stages with performances;
• 21:30 – Dances with Performances by Large Orchestras – Stages of Plaza del Príncipe, Ron Barceló-Plaza de La Candelaria and avenue Francis La Roche;

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Sunday, Feb 26 – Pinata Sunday

• 10:00 – Great Contest in the City of Vintage Cars – avenue Francis La Roche;
• 11:00 – Performance of the Afilarmónica Ni fú-Ni fa – Plaza del Príncipe;
• 12:00 – Performance of the Agrupación Lírica La Zarzuela – Plaza del Príncipe
• 17:00 – Grand End of Carnival Party 2023 – Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero;
  
• 18:00 – End of Fiesta, tour of groups through the center of the city. At the end of the great fireworks display – Ron Barceló Stage in the Plaza de La Candelaria;

You May Be Also Interested in…

References & Useful Links

• Official Website
• Official Carnival Program
• TITSA Buses
• Weather Forecast
• Accomondation on booking.com

Media Attachments