Have you ever gone to a contest, where different groups made up by dozens of people, compete on a stage singing lyrics created by them during 30 min? Have you ever seen the burial of a sardine made of cardboard and recycled paper? These are only two examples of unusual, but interesting, things you could enjoy during the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Carnival is one of the most important parties in Tenerife, especially the one from the capital city. Being the most famous in Europe and the second most important in the world, right after from Río de Janeiro. In fact, it entered the Guinness Book of Records when singer Celia Cruz gathered 250.00 people in the Plaza de España in 1987.
Thousands of people, dressed up in costumes take to the streets where the music, color, joy and glitter are the main characters. Musical groups, murgas, Carnival’s Queen Election and parades are some of the activities you could enjoy all over Santa Cruz.
The most detailed theory about it says, that it originates from the religious prohibitions for meat’s consumptions during Lent, but others affirm it was a pagan festivity against the rules and social requirements, becoming the expression of freedom, joy and unleashing.
That version has been maintained throughout the years because Tenerife’s carnival cannot be missing the laughter, music, jokes and party. Do not be surprised if you go to a supermarket and they assist you dressed up as Superman, or if you go to the bank and get assisted by a clown because every person from Tenerife carries Carnival in their veins.
This celebration arrived in Tenerife during the 16th century by spanish and Portuguese people, and years ago it became the International Tourist Interest Party. Leaving aside the religious origin., Carnaval is the reason of enjoyment, gathering and one of the favourite dates of people from Tenerife. And it is not just for islanders since a lot of people from the rest of Spain come to Tenerife for this celebration. This is not by chance, right?
Carnival’s Queen Election of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
There are three carnival queen elections: infant, adult and seniors, with the second-most, international impact. Candidates catwalk on the scene with big adornments made of feathers, plastic, metal or beads. These costumes are created by designers at a high cost, so consequently, a sponsor is needed in order to bear the expenses. Their approximate length is 4,5 m. and 5 m. width and can be heavier than 250 kilos. Surprising, but true.
The Burial of the Sardine
Have you witnessed the burial of a sardine? In Tenerife, we do it annually, to say goodbye to the Carnival festivity. This spectacle begins with the parade, which parodies a burial, with traditional mourners disconsolate crying and ends up with the sardine burning.
It is celebrated every Ash Wednesday and represents the burial of the past, committed weeks earlier. Don’t be scared if a ‘’widow’’ lays on your shoulder to ‘’cry’’. You just need to support her during this hard time she is going through at this moment. But after the burning. Don’t stop dancing! The party continues with orchestras in Plaza del Príncipe.
Aphotheosic Carnival Parade ‘coso’
The denominated ‘coso’ could last for hours, a big parade running through the maritime avenue of Tenerife’s capital. Different murgas sing their best lyrics, the Carnival Queen poses dazzling in the presence of her city, musical groups create the best music or troupe dance following the percussion’s rhythm. And not only them, but people from the township can also collaborate.
A mix of dance, music and happiness, characteristic of this celebration. Although if you prefer to not participate in this act and only enjoy it, you will be able to watch it from the long row of chairs enclosing the ‘coso’.
Day Carnival
Woman from a troupe dancing at the Day Carnival
The Day Carnival was created barely 10 years ago allowing families to enjoy the celebration with their children. A lot of musical shows are celebrated on the main streets of the capital city during the day. Two events of this style take place on Carnival’s first Sunday and second Saturday, coinciding with the last Piñata’s Saturday, announcing the end of the festivity. Such was the impact last year on the Juan Luis Guerra show that more than 44% of the island’s population attended.
Infant & Adult Murgas Contest
A murga is a large group of people singing their own songs created for the Carnival. They criticize different political and social-economic issues, and traditional rivalry with Gran Canaria, the neighbouring island. Their ingredients are humour and irony, based on popular songs whose lyrics have changed and are companied by a whistle.
Every year, adult and infant contests are performed to choose which murga has been the best, based on their customs, lyrics and play-acting. The contest is divided into steps and it ends with the final which decides the competition, with the adult contest being the most popular in Tenerife. There are also contests in the north of the island, where murgas compete from northern towns.
During these holidays you cannot miss the great fair with more than 80 attractions. Located next to the Maritime avenue in the capital, just in front of Santa Cruz’s bus station, it will open throughout the carnival party. Crazy pigs, ferris wheel, viking boat, crazy bulls and many other attractions.
But when you get out of there you will not be able to leave without trying the food of the numerous stalls in front of the fair: hot dogs, jacket potatoes and many more.
Is there a better way than to finish the party with more noise and colour? Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife concludes with the traditional fireworks on the sea pier, under the watchful eye of the people from Tenerife. Then every person will go back home, store the costumes in the closet and, sadly, continue with their routines. But don’t worry, as in less than 365 days the fun, music and joy will be back in Tenerife’s streets.
After reading all this, you too can celebrate the carnival in Tenerife. Would you allow yourself to miss it? Just bring your wig, glitter and anticipation to enjoy this unique event in the Canary Islands.
2021 Tenerife Provisional Carnival Program (15th January – 21st February)
15th January – Carnival’s Opening 2021, Parque Marítimo César Manrique (21:30 h.).
From 21st January to 23rd January – Infant & Adult Murgas in Recinto Ferial (19:00 h.).
From 25th January to 29th January – Adult Murgas in Recinto Ferial (20:30 h.).
31st January – Infant Carnival Queen’s Election Gala in Recinto Ferial (18:00 h.).
3rd February – Elder’s Carnival Queen’s Election Gala & Festival of Musical groups in Recinto Ferial (17:30 h.).
10th February – Great Carnival Queen’s Election Gala in Recinto Ferial (21:30 h.).
12th February – Carnival Opening Parade (20:00 h.).
14th & 20th February – Day Carnival (13:00 – 20:00 h.).
16th February – Carnival’s Apotheosic ‘Coso’ in Avenidas de Francisco La Roche y Marítima (16:00 h.).
17th February – The Burial of The Sardine (22:00 h.).
19th February – Infant ‘Coso’ (18:00 h.).
Carnival in the rest of the island
Puerto de la Cruz
Other townships do Carnival’s activities too like Puerto de la Cruz with its traditional Mascarita Ponte Tacón. It is a male marathon where the participants are required to dress up as women and run with at least 8cm high heels or platform heels. Yes, 8 cm. Definitely, one of the funniest parties during the Carnival of Tenerife, celebrated on 28th February this year.
If it seemed complex already, harder it gets when they have to jump obstacles or tread inside tires on cobblestone roads. You can already imagine the results: falls, sprains, broken heels or crazy fantasies. A celebration where the creativity is not missing, as some participants even get a washing machine on their heads or any other occurrence, apart from wearing 30 cm high heels.
Thousands of people will be attending the ‘coso’, which coincides with Piñata Saturday of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Floats, troupes and murgas…, many groups participate on the parade dressed up as any type of character. Moreover, this year’s Puerto de la Cruz will celebrate the Northern Murgas Contest, where the winner will participate in the big contest on the capital city. Are you really to miss?
Los Cristianos
The last Carnaval in Tenerife’s island is the one from Los Cristianos (Arona). One of main attractions is the Drag Queen Gala, a show where people dance with makeup and especially small dresses. Glitter, rhinestones, parody and satire are the best allies for these artists and the dance and scenography to rate this contest. These events are celebrated in other townships like La Perdoma (La Orotava).