| Event (2025 edition) | Date | What it is | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabalgata Anunciadora | 28 February, 19:30 | Opening parade with the Queen and her court, bands and floats | Plaza de la República Dominicana to Avenida Francisco La Roche |
| Children's carnival | 1 March, 17:30 to 21:00 | Children's celebration | La Noria |
| Ritmo y Armonía | 1 March, 21:00 | Troupe contest | Avenida Francisco La Roche |
| Day carnivals | 2, 4, 8 and 9 March | Daytime music and performances | City centre |
| Dragnaval gala | 3 March, 21:00 | Gala followed by street party | Plaza de la Candelaria |
| Coso Apoteosis | 4 March, 16:00 to midnight | The big parade with characters and contest participants | Avenida Francisco La Roche |
| Burial of the Sardine | 5 March, procession at 21:00 | Ash Wednesday procession, then the sardine is burned | Calle Juan Pablo II to Plaza de España, then Avenida Marítima |
| Sardina de la Inclusión | 6 March, 11:00 | Accessible version | Ends at Plaza de la Candelaria |
| Coso Infantil | 7 March, 18:00 | Children's parade | García Sanabria Park to La Marina |
| Closing | 9 March | Senior carnival 17:00 to 20:00, fireworks 22:00 | Plaza de la Candelaria |
Dates move each year with the calendar; use the pattern, not the dates. The official programme lists the current dates, times and venues, and the board advises buying tickets only through official platforms or authorised outlets.
How the carnival works
- Free events. Parades, day carnivals and many concerts are usually free. Galas and competitions in venues with limited capacity need tickets, sold through official channels, with prices announced there.
- Main areas. The events spread across the avenues and squares of central Santa Cruz: Plaza del Príncipe, Plaza de la Candelaria and Avenida Francisco La Roche.
- The Burial of the Sardine. It closes the celebrations on Ash Wednesday. After the procession, the sardine is burned on Avenida Marítima, and large orchestras play at Plaza del Príncipe from 23:30 to 03:00 in the 2025 programme.
- 2027. Ash Wednesday is 10 February 2027, so the Burial of the Sardine and the closing fall in the middle of February. The dates for the other events come from the official programme.
Practical planning
- Stay in or near Santa Cruz. The capital is 30 to 40 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz, 45 to 60 minutes from Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos, 15 to 20 minutes from the north airport and 50 to 60 minutes from the south airport (tourist board). Compare hotels by date in the Booking box.
- Use the tram. A tram links Santa Cruz with La Laguna.
- Pair it with the city. The Palmetum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00; MUNA is closed on Carnival Tuesday. See Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Palmetum.
- Add the north. Puerto de la Cruz lists its own carnival in February.
Weather in carnival weeks
February: average highs of 22 °C and lows of 15 °C; March: 22 and 16 (tourist board). See Tenerife in February and Tenerife in March.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying gala tickets from an unofficial seller. The board says to use official platforms or authorised outlets.
- Planning a museum visit on Carnival Tuesday: MUNA is closed.
- Basing the trip on last year's dates. The calendar moves; check the official programme.
FAQ
When is the Tenerife Carnival in 2027?
Ash Wednesday is 10 February 2027; the Burial of the Sardine takes place that day. The programme dates are in the official carnival agenda.
Is the Tenerife Carnival free?
Parades, day carnivals and many concerts are usually free. Some galas and contests need tickets.
Where is the main parade?
The Coso Apoteosis runs along Avenida Francisco La Roche in Santa Cruz.
What is the Burial of the Sardine?
An Ash Wednesday procession that ends with the burning of a sardine on Avenida Marítima, followed by orchestras at Plaza del Príncipe.
The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
