Tenerife Carnival 2027: official program Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and Los Cristianos — Gala Reine, Drag, Gran Coso, Rua, Entierro de la Sardina. Complete guide for French-speaking tourists.
The reference guide — kept up to date
Full programme for all 4 towns, detailed budget, week-by-week planning and official dates confirmed by Santa Cruz City Council.
- 1.Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2027 Program
- 2.Puerto de la Cruz 2027 Program
- 3.La Laguna 2027 Program — Cultural Carnival
- 4.Los Cristianos 2027 Program
- 5.The murgas: understanding what we are looking at
- 6.Accommodation: book as soon as possible
- 7.Transportation during Carnival
- 8.Budget: what to expect
- 9.Practical advice
- 10.To go further
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is often described as one of the biggest carnivals in the world, compared to Rio de Janeiro's. In 2027, the official season starts on January 22 and ends on February 28. Several other towns on the island (Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and Los Cristianos) then hold their own programmes, offering very different atmospheres depending on your preferences — their 2027 dates below are still to be confirmed, as no official announcement matches Santa Cruz's.
Check out our full 2027 Carnival events calendar for the latest updates.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2027 Program
The chicharrero carnival remains the world reference. Here are the confirmed dates:
| Date | Event | Location | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 22 | Inaugural Gala | Recinto Ferial | free entry |
| Feb. 7 | Reina Infantil Gala | Recinto Ferial | €6 |
| Feb. 17 | Queen's Gala Adult | Recinto Ferial | €15 |
| Feb. 19 | Cabalgata Anunciadora | Centro, SC | free |
| Feb. 22 | Dragnaval — Drag Queen Gala | venue announced on official ticketing | from 15 € |
| Feb. 23 | Coso Apoteósico | Avenida de Anaga | free (no official paid grandstand) |
| Feb. 24 (to be confirmed) | Entierro de la Sardina | Av. Marítima | free |
The dates of the Carnaval de Día (daytime parades) are scheduled for February 21 and 27, 2027.
The Queen’s Gala
The election of the Carnival Queen is the most visually spectacular event. Each candidate parades in a monumental costume – sometimes more than 5 meters in height, several dozen kilos – designed by local artisans. Galas often last 5 to 6 hours. Book online as soon as sales open (usually December).
→ Gala de la Reina — complete culture sheet
Le Dragnaval — Drag Queen Gala
One of the most anticipated events of the world carnival: spectacular performances mixing dance, political satire and costumes as elaborate as those of the Queen's Gala. Irreverent, festive atmosphere at the Auditorio Adán Martín.
→ Gala Drag Queen — complete culture sheet
The Coso Apoteósico
The big parade on Tuesday (Martes de Carnaval, February 23) is the most attended free public event. Dozens of comparsas and murgas parade on Avenida de Anaga for several hours. Arrive two hours early to find a spot on the sidewalks.
→ Coso Apoteósico — complete culture sheet
The Entierro de la Sardina
Parody funeral procession with burlesque widows (the viudas) and cremation of an enormous papier-mâché fish on Avenida Marítima. Free and often more accessible than the evenings of the main week.
→ Entierro de la Sardina — complete culture sheet
La Rua — the street atmosphere of Mardi Gras
The official grand parade of Martes de Carnaval is called the Coso Apoteósico — "la Rua" isn't a second parade on the programme, but the term visitors and locals use for the costumed street atmosphere of that same day, February 23: no registration, no paying stands, the party carries on in the streets until dawn. It is the day when the chicharreros (residents of Santa Cruz) take back the city, after the departure of some of the tourists.
→ La Rua — complete culture sheet
Les comparsas — the Brazilian energy of the parade
To be distinguished from the murgas (vocal and satirical): the comparsas are the dance groups, of 80 to 200 people, who wear the most visual costumes and set the tempo of the Coso, to the rhythms of batucada and merengue. The dedicated competition is held at the Recinto Ferial at the beginning of February.
→ Comparsas — complete culture sheet
The Carnival of Día — the daytime version
The daytime parades (February 21 and 27, 2027) offer the most accessible version of the carnival: better visibility, looser crowds, temperature around 20-22°C. The ideal option for families, without a late night out.
→ Carnaval de Día — complete culture sheet
La Piñata — the return after Lent
A Santa Cruz specialty: in the 2027 calendar, delayed by two weeks, the Piñata falls on Friday, February 26, just before the official closing on February 28 — one last night of festivities, more local and spontaneous.
→ The Piñata — complete culture sheet
Puerto de la Cruz 2027 Program
⚠️ The Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna and Los Cristianos dates below are based on previous editions and have no official 2027 announcement equivalent to Santa Cruz's — check with the respective town councils before making plans.
The Puerto de la Cruz Carnival takes place simultaneously in a much more intimate atmosphere, along the seafront and Parque Taoro. Ideal with children or if you prefer to avoid the crowds of central Santa Cruz.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | Inaugural Gala |
| Jan. 31 | Gala Trono Infantil |
| Feb. 4 | Gala Reina Adulta |
| Feb. 6 | Cabalgata Anunciadora |
| Feb 10 | Entierro de la Sardina |
| Feb. 11 | Dragnaval |
| Feb. 12 | Mascarita Ponte Tacón (running in heels) |
| Feb. 13 | Gran Coso Apoteósico |
The Puerto de la Cruz Carnival ends earlier than the Santa Cruz Carnival, making it a great option if you're looking to experience the full schedule in a short week.
La Laguna 2027 Program — Cultural Carnival
La Laguna offers a more intimate format and very anchored in the Canary heritage, in its UNESCO-listed historic center.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 26 | Inauguration + Drag Gala |
| Feb. 27 | Main day |
| Feb. 28 | Apotheosis |
| March 1 | Entierro de la Sardina |
Los Cristianos 2027 Program
Los Cristianos (south of the island) extends the Carnival until mid-March, with a full program on the coast.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 6 | Gala Reina |
| March 8 | Cabalgata Anunciadora |
| March 12 | Dragnaval |
| March 14 | Gran Coso Apoteósico |
| March 15 | Entierro de la Sardina |
Handy if you're staying in the south and missed the events in Santa Cruz. The Los Cristianos waterfront offers a festive setting without the logistical pressure of the city center.
The murgas: understanding what we are looking at
Murgas are groups of 25 to 50 musicians who perform satirical songs on the political news of the year. They rehearse for months. Most of the lyrics are in Spanish, but the energy and reactions from the audience speak for themselves. The competitions at the Recinto Ferial last the entire second half of January.
→ The Murgas — complete culture sheet
Accommodation: book as soon as possible
For the main week (late February–early March 2027), accommodations in Santa Cruz are often full from September. The alternatives:
- Hotels in the center of Santa Cruz: practical but noisy and expensive. Reserve 6 months in advance.
- Outlying neighborhoods of Santa Cruz (Los Llanos, Avenida de Madrid): relative calm, 15 min walk from the parades.
- Puerto de la Cruz: good alternative if you have a car. The carnival there is more family-friendly, and the prices remain reasonable.
- Los Cristianos / Playa de las Américas: possible, but 1 hour drive from Santa Cruz — tiring on several evenings.
Transportation during Carnival
The parking lots in the center of Santa Cruz are unusable on gala evenings. Options:
- Tramway: serves Meridiano and La Trinidad, close to Recinto Ferial. Extended service on carnival nights until around 3 a.m.
- TITSA buses: reinforced lines from the main tourist areas.
- Taxi / VTC: waiting times double after midnight. Allow at least 30 minutes of delay.
Budget: what to expect
| Post | Free | Paid (range) |
|---|---|---|
| Coso Apoteósico | ✅ | Reserved viewing via organised tours: €40–75 (no official paid grandstand) |
| Cabalgata Anunciadora | ✅ | — |
| Carnival of Día | ✅ | — |
| Entierro de la Sardina | ✅ | — |
| Queen's Gala | — | €15 |
| Dragnaval | — | €15–60 |
| Reina Infantil Gala | — | €6–12 |
| Murgas competition | — | 8–20 €/evening |
Practical advice
- Attire: no costume obligation, but everyone appreciates the effort. A mask or hat is enough to get into the spirit. Bring a light jacket: 15–17°C at night in February-March.
- Safety: remain vigilant in dense crowds. Bag worn in front. The busiest areas are also the best monitored.
- Drinks: prices are skyrocketing at the festive kiosks. Take a bottle of water from your accommodation.
- Children: the mornings of Carnaval de Día are ideal. Avoid gala evenings (long, late, noisy).
- Official program: the 2027 Santa Cruz programme was published in June 2026 by the city council; check carnavaldetenerife.com for the latest updates.
→ See all Carnival 2027 events on TenerifePulse
To go further
- The Carnival of Tenerife — complete cultural guide: dates, history and advice for the entire period
- Gala Reina del Carnaval: the glamorous evening of monumental costumes
- Rua Carnaval: the popular Mardi Gras street atmosphere
- Comparsas: the dance groups who carry the show
- Murgas: satirical and humorous songs
- Gala Drag Queen: the festive and creative evening
- Burial of the Sardine: the emblematic closing ritual
?Frequently asked questions
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