The main part of Tenerife’s world-famous carnival takes place between 11 and 22 February 2026. When the world’s second-largest carnival gets underway, it’s chaos all round.
Carnival on Tenerife – just like in Rio!
From the smallest village right up to the capital of Tenerife, people party all night long across the entire Canary Islands. In 2026, too, the Fiestas in Santa Cruz and in Puerto de La Cruz will stand out in particular. You’ll find all the information and the exact dates below.
The carnival in Tenerife is considered the second largest in the world. Only Rio de Janeiro can rival Tenerife. Not even the Rhineland, which traditionally dominates the carnival scene in Germany, can hold a candle to the largest of the Canary Islands when it comes to this.
And even in the face of difficult economic conditions, the people of the Canary Islands refuse to let their „Carnaval“ be taken away from them. Even when the carnival was banned, it was still held regularly, disguised as a „winter festival“.
>>> You can find more information about the carnival on Tenerife here. <<<
Carnival in Santa Cruz, Tenerife
In the capital, Santa Cruz, political business takes a back seat during Carnival. The Plaza de España is lavishly decorated and set up with dozens of stalls and stands for the celebrations, which last several days. What is known as the ‚prince and princess‘ in Düsseldorf or the ‚Dreigestirn‘ in Cologne is traditionally the ‚Carnival Queen‘ in Tenerife. Once she and her court, as well as the ‚Children’s Queen‘, have been chosen, the parades begin.
The following week is dominated by music and costume competitions. Samba and masked groups parade through the whole city. Historical floats are also incorporated into the parades. The highlight is Shrove Tuesday: in the afternoon, the grand parade, the ‚Corso‘, finally takes place in Santa Cruz.
Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz
Whilst the carnival in the capital is drawing to a close, in Puerto de la Cruz things only really get going after the burial of the sardine (more on this below). Unimaginable in Germany, the actual farewell to Carnival in the north of Tenerife actually marks the starting signal for the fiestas.
For example, Puerto de la Cruz has even become an international tourist attraction thanks to its carnival. The grand parade there traditionally takes place on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday. Music groups, masked revellers and historical floats parade through the town centre. Samba and international delegations always provide a fitting backdrop. You can find everything you need to know about the carnival in Puerto de la Cruz here.
Ash Wednesday: The Canary Islands ‚bury the sardine‘
Another ritual of the Canary Islands is the „burial of the sardine“. This day is also celebrated throughout the island. Alongside the capital, Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos and La Orotava are particularly notable. The sardine is a huge fish puppet made from rags and papier-mâché.
In Santa Cruz, she is carried through the city on a throne. Widows, mourners and even ‚pregnant‘ men bid a tearful farewell to the carnival as she passes by. You can find all the background information on the Burial of the Sardine here.
Dates for the 2026 Tenerife Carnival
Carnival dates in Santa Cruz 2026
Here are the key dates for the 2026 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival on Tenerife, including the opening ceremony, gala, parades and family-friendly events:
- Saturday, 31 January 2026: Final of the Murgas competition (heats and qualifying rounds at the Recinto Ferial)
- Wednesday, 11 February 2026: Gala for the election of the 2026 Carnival Queen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Friday, 13 February 2026: Carnival opening parade & start of the street carnival
- Saturday, 14 February 2026: „Carnaval de Día“ – a huge street carnival festival for families
- Sunday, 15 February 2026: Further street events & festivities in the city centre
- Tuesday, 17 February 2026: Grand carnival parade „Coso Apoteosis del Carnaval“ – the highlight of the carnival
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026: Traditional Burial of the Sardine („Entierro de la Sardina“)
- Saturday, 21 February 2026: Second „Carnaval de Día“ – daytime festival with music, stage performances and street entertainment
- Sunday, 22 February 2026: Official end of the carnival & closing celebrations
Carnival theme on Tenerife 2026: „Ritmos Latinos“ (Spanish for „Latin American rhythms“)
Carnival dates in Puerto de la Cruz 2026
The Carnival in Puerto de la Cruz 2026 is all about
Mexican flair. Rhythm, colour and tradition characterise one of the most popular carnival celebrations in Tenerife:
- Friday, 6 February 2026: Royal Gala – the festive opening of the carnival
- Thursday, 12 February 2026: Gala for the election of the Adult Queen
- Saturday, 14 February 2026: Carnival in the streets – Start of the grand street carnival
- Monday, 16 February 2026: Parades („Recorridos“) and street events
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026: Traditional Burial of the Sardine
- Friday, 20 February 2026: „Little Mask: Put on High Heels“ (Mascarita ponte tacón)
- Saturday, 21 February 2026: Grand Finale of the Carnival
Note: The full official programme with details (all galas, competitions, music and dance performances) will be published in the coming weeks. The dates above are based on confirmed information. However, all details are subject to change.
Carnival on Tenerife – Photos and Information
Here you will find all further information and the latest news on Carnival in Tenerife. The official dates for the summer carnival in Puerto de la Cruz have not yet been finalised.
No comments on this article yet.