Hot samba and salsa rhythms, scantily clad dancers, lavish floats: it’s no wonder Tenerife prides itself on hosting the world’s second-largest carnival. When Carnival time in Tenerife rolls around, the island is in a state of emergency. There are celebrations as far as the eye can see.
Puerto de la Cruz is, alongside the capital Santa Cruz, the Carnival stronghold on Tenerife. Anyone staying in Puerto during Carnival season simply cannot avoid the ‚Fiestas‘ and the sizzling samba rhythms. Every February, the Canary Island is once again in a state of carnival frenzy. The celebrations continue until the beginning of March – in some cases non-stop, day and night.
Some elements, such as the election of the queen, the colourful parades and the lively dance parties, are similar to the events in Santa Cruz. What is unique to Tenerife, however, is the men’s race in high heels. It is very reminiscent of the ‚Tuntenlauf‘ (queer run) that takes place during Carnival in Düsseldorf, the carnival partner of Puerto de la Cruz. The ‚Coso‘ (parade) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is, however, the real highlight of the Canary Islands carnival season.
Grand parade on Shrove Tuesday
Things really get going on Shrove Tuesday. That’s when the Flower Queen, the ruler of the carnival on Tenerife, parades through the streets with her entourage in a grand procession. She wears a headdress over a metre high. Her costume can often only be afforded with the help of sponsors.
The revellers finally mark the end of the carnival frenzy on Ash Wednesday with the ‚burial‘ of the sardine. Made from rags and accompanied by mourners, it is carried through the streets on a throne. At the Plaza de España, the sardine is finally set alight. The carnival is bid farewell amidst loud bangs. Winter has been symbolically burnt away and the carnival is officially over. Until next year.
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