Puerto de la Cruz starts its carnival week on Ash Wednesday
The Burial of the Sardine opens the street festivities, followed by the high heel race on Plaza del Charco and a parade of several hours on Saturday. Music and dance wind things down on Sunday.
Johannes Bornewasser is an author, journalist and editor-in-chief of Teneriffa News. He is regarded as a recognised expert on the Canary Islands. Bornewasser is also responsible for the editorial content of the website.
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Die amtierende Karnevalskönigin von Puerto de la Cruz überstrahlte alle auf dem Zug. Foto: Johannes Bornewasser
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Whilst Ash Wednesday marks the end of the carnival season in many places, in Puerto de la Cruz on Tenerife, the public holiday actually heralds the start of the real fiesta. With the „Burial of the Sardine„, which traditionally symbolises the end of Carnival and the start of Lent, the town in the north of Tenerife kicks off the street carnival with a funeral procession. Prior to this, Puerto’s Carnival Queen is chosen at a grand gala.
>>> Photos from the carnival in Puerto de la Cruz <<<
What is known as the „Tuntenlauf“ in Düsseldorf, Germany’s carnival stronghold, takes place in Puerto de la Cruz every Friday after Ash Wednesday: men dressed as women showcase their outlandish women’s costumes at the Plaza del Charco in the heart of the town.
The highlight is the high-heeled shoe race, in which participants must complete a course in groups and as individuals whilst wearing heels up to 20 centimetres high. More than 20,000 visitors turn out to watch the spectacle, to admire and cheer on the approximately 350 participants.
Grand Carnival Parade on Saturday
Even more spectators from all over the island then turn out on Saturday to watch the grand carnival parade. Also taking part – after a short break – is the prince and princess from the sister carnival stronghold of Düsseldorf.
The procession, which lasts several hours, winds its way for kilometres through the city. And the end of this carnival parade traditionally heralds the final official night of street carnival. The colourful festivities continue once more into the early hours of the morning.
On Sunday, the carnival in Puerto de la Cruz gradually winds down to the sound of music and dancing. But that is by no means the end of the carnival on Tenerife: in some parts of the south of the island, that’s when the real fun begins.
Take a look now: Photos: The best pictures from the carnival in Puerto
What else you need to know about Puerto de la Cruz:
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