Event Details
Tenerife Carnival 2027: One of the World's Greatest Celebrations
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is officially recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional and is widely regarded as one of the largest carnivals in the world, rivalling Rio de Janeiro. The 2027 edition runs under the theme «Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval» (Eternal Rome: The Empire of Carnival), with the official season opening on 22 January and the street carnival running from 19 to 28 February 2027. The centrepiece is the Coso Apoteósico parade on 23 February, a public holiday in Santa Cruz.
Key Dates 2027
- 22 January: Gala Inaugural – official opening ceremony of the Carnival season
- 23 January: First Concurso de Agrupaciones Musicales (Murgas competition)
- 17 February: Gala de Elección de la Reina – election of the Carnival Queen
- 19 February: Street Carnival begins; opening parade, float competition and first night dances
- 20 February: Certamen de Ritmo y Armonía – Comparsas competition
- 21 February: Concert by La Fufa and Los Fregolinos; first Carnaval de Día (daytime parade)
- 22 February: 4th Dragnaval Gala; street dances through the night
- 23 February: Coso Apoteósico – the grand carnival parade through the city centre (public holiday)
- 25 February: Inclusive Carnival and Festival de Rondallas
- 26 February: Children's parade (Coso Infantil) and Piñata Friday dances
- 27 February: Carnaval de Día and Saturday night dances (over 18 hours of continuous music)
- 28 February: Senior Carnival, vintage car show, concert, fireworks display – official closing
Highlights of Tenerife Carnival 2027
Gala de Elección de la Reina
The Queen Election Gala on 17 February is the most visually spectacular event of the entire Carnival. Candidates parade in extraordinary «Fantasías»: monumental costumes based on the annual theme, weighing up to 200 kilograms and rising several metres in height. The gala is broadcast live on Televisión Canaria, La 2 de TVE and the TVE International Channel.
Coso Apoteósico
The grand street parade on 23 February is the absolute centrepiece of Tenerife Carnival. Floats, comparsas and murgas process through the heart of Santa Cruz on a day declared a local public holiday. Hundreds of thousands of spectators line the streets for hours.
Entierro de la Sardina
The Burial of the Sardine takes place on the Wednesday in the middle of the street carnival week. Thousands of participants dressed as mourning widows accompany the symbolic sardine along the Avenida Marítima to the Plaza de España, where it is ceremonially burned in a spectacular firework finale. It is the most irreverent and unforgettable moment of the entire festival.
Dragnaval Gala
Now in its fourth edition on 22 February, the Dragnaval Gala is one of the most celebrated evenings of the Carnival, combining spectacular performances with massive street parties that last until dawn.
Theme 2027: Roma Eterna
The official theme of Tenerife Carnival 2027 is «Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval». All costumes, Fantasías, floats and stage designs are dedicated to the aesthetic of the Roman Empire. For visitors, this means extraordinarily elaborate historically inspired costumes across the streets and competitions throughout the festival.
Tickets & Admission
The majority of street events, including the Coso Apoteósico, street dances and Entierro de la Sardina, are free to attend. Paid tickets are required for grandstand seating at the Coso, the Gala de la Reina and selected indoor concerts. The full program and ticket information are available on the official website.
Visitor Tips
- Book accommodation several months in advance; hotels in Santa Cruz sell out around 23 February.
- February weather in Tenerife is mild, around 20 to 22°C during the day and cooler at night.
- Wearing a costume dramatically enhances the experience and is warmly welcomed by locals.
- The Gala de la Reina takes place at the Recinto Ferial; arrive early to secure good positioning.
- Paid grandstand tickets for the Coso Apoteósico offer significantly better views.
- The old town and Avenida Marítima are the main celebration zones and are easily explored on foot.
