Murgas are troupes of 30 to 40 singers who compose original satirical songs to mock politics, the year's scandals, and public figures, always with humor and identical costumes. It's the oldest and most authentically Canarian tradition of Carnival, born under Franco's dictatorship as a form of resistance disguised as celebration.
The authors have been working since October: writing lyrics in verse, Canarian wordplay that only locals truly catch, the year's theme. On stage, they're made up like sad clowns, wearing ridiculous costumes, and deliver everything with whistles and shouts. It's the scandals of the Cabildo, rental prices, mass tourism, the Carnival's satirical newspaper in song form. Each group prepares a repertoire of 4 to 5 songs. The best ones face off in the final for the title of Best Murga of Carnival.
- Los Cucas, the most decorated, classic style
- Monkeytos, young, irreverent, very popular
- Afilarmónica NiFú-NiFá, heir to the first murga (1954), the sharpest tone
The lyrics are in very colorful Canarian Spanish, difficult to catch everything as a foreigner. But listen to the audience's reactions: laughter, applause, whistles already tell you if it's hitting hard against the Cabildo or the hotels. Arrive 30 minutes early to find a good spot. Go to the preliminaries rather than the final if you want to see more groups without the pressure of sold-out seats.
- Santa Cruz, venue to be confirmed in the official program each year
- Entry: 5–15€ depending on the round
- Throughout Carnival (Jan–Feb)
- Shows start: 8:30 PM
- Full program at carnaval.santacruzdetenerife.es