Carnival of Tenerife 2026: Latin rhythms, color and tradition in the heart of the Atlantic
13/02/2026
Events
The Carnival of Tenerife is one of the most iconic celebrations in the cultural calendar of the Canary Islands and one of the most internationally recognized festivals. Every year, the island transforms into a stage filled with music, color and creativity that takes over streets, squares and avenues. In 2026, the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival pays tribute to Latin Rhythms, an homage to dance, energy and the shared joy on both sides of the Atlantic.
For Abama Hotels, experiencing the Carnival is a unique opportunity to discover the island’s most festive essence, combining tradition, spectacle and the vibrant atmosphere that defines this special time of year.
Latin Rhythms: the theme of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026
The 2026 Carnival will revolve around Latin Rhythms, a theme that promises to fill the capital with Caribbean sounds, cultural references and a visually powerful staging. Salsa, son, mambo, bachata and merengue will inspire costumes, choreographies and performances that turn every corner into an open-air dance floor.
The official Carnival image reinforces this festive spirit. The winning poster, titled “Es más bello vivir bailando” (“Life Is More Beautiful When You Dance”), pays tribute to Celia Cruz, an undisputed icon of Latin music. The piece, created by young La Palma artist Héctor Expósito, was chosen by both popular vote and jury selection, becoming the visual emblem of an edition that celebrates life, rhythm and cultural diversity.
A calendar full of events and excitement
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026 will run from mid-January to late February, with a programme packed with events for all audiences. The festivities officially begin on 16 January with the Opening Gala and the presentation of the candidates for Carnival Queen, kicking off weeks of competitions, galas and street celebrations.
Among the most anticipated moments are the Murga Finals on 31 January, the Carnival Queen Election Gala on 11 February —featuring a performance by Puerto Rican artist Manny Manuel— and the spectacular Opening Parade, which will take over the city on Friday, 13 February.
Carnival is enjoyed intensely both day and night, with popular events such as the Daytime Carnival, taking place on Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 February, and the emblematic Coso Apoteosis parade on Tuesday 17, where floats, comparsas and performance groups fill Santa Cruz with rhythm and color.
Murgas, comparsas and living tradition
One of the great highlights of the Tenerife Carnival are the murgas—musical groups that combine humor, social commentary and vocal talent. Their competitions, both in children’s and adult categories, form part of the Carnival’s soul and gather thousands of followers each year.
Alongside them, the comparsas, rondallas and musical ensembles bring diversity and cultural richness to a festival that continues to evolve without losing its essence. Carnival isn’t something you simply watch; it’s something you live in the streets, surrounded by food stalls, kiosks and improvised stages that transform the center of Santa Cruz into a huge festive venue.
The Burial of the Sardine: satire and collective emotion
After the revelry comes one of the most symbolic events: the Burial of the Sardine, held on Wednesday, 18 February. This peculiar ritual, full of irony and theatricality, marks the end of the main days of Carnival. Mourners, widows and satirical characters accompany the sardine on its route —between laughter and mock tears— until it is finally burned.
In Tenerife, this event is not just a farewell, but a collective expression of the Carnival spirit that blends humor, critique and popular tradition.
An internationally acclaimed carnival
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 1980, making it the only celebration in the Canary Islands to hold such recognition. Its history, marked by decades of creativity and cultural resilience, has turned this festival into a global reference point, comparable to the world’s greatest carnivals.
From the first Carnival Queen election in 1935 to today’s massive galas, the Carnival has adapted to the times without losing its identity, becoming one of the most significant cultural expressions in the Canary Islands.
Experience Carnival from Abama Hotels
If you stay at Abama Hotels, whether at Las Terrazas de Abama Suites or Los Jardines de Abama Suites & Villas, you can enjoy the Tenerife Carnival without giving up the comfort and well-being of an exclusive and peaceful setting.
In addition to the grand Santa Cruz Carnival, the Carnivals of South Tenerife—such as the Los Cristianos Carnival or the Los Gigantes Carnival—offer a closer and more accessible alternative, with joyful and colorful celebrations that don’t require long travel distances.
The Tenerife Carnival invites you to let yourself be carried away by rhythm, creativity and collective joy, connecting with the island’s cultural essence and turning every visit into a unique and unforgettable experience.
For Abama Hotels, experiencing the Carnival is a unique opportunity to discover the island’s most festive essence, combining tradition, spectacle and the vibrant atmosphere that defines this special time of year.
Latin Rhythms: the theme of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026
The 2026 Carnival will revolve around Latin Rhythms, a theme that promises to fill the capital with Caribbean sounds, cultural references and a visually powerful staging. Salsa, son, mambo, bachata and merengue will inspire costumes, choreographies and performances that turn every corner into an open-air dance floor.
The official Carnival image reinforces this festive spirit. The winning poster, titled “Es más bello vivir bailando” (“Life Is More Beautiful When You Dance”), pays tribute to Celia Cruz, an undisputed icon of Latin music. The piece, created by young La Palma artist Héctor Expósito, was chosen by both popular vote and jury selection, becoming the visual emblem of an edition that celebrates life, rhythm and cultural diversity.
A calendar full of events and excitement
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026 will run from mid-January to late February, with a programme packed with events for all audiences. The festivities officially begin on 16 January with the Opening Gala and the presentation of the candidates for Carnival Queen, kicking off weeks of competitions, galas and street celebrations.
Among the most anticipated moments are the Murga Finals on 31 January, the Carnival Queen Election Gala on 11 February —featuring a performance by Puerto Rican artist Manny Manuel— and the spectacular Opening Parade, which will take over the city on Friday, 13 February.
Carnival is enjoyed intensely both day and night, with popular events such as the Daytime Carnival, taking place on Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 February, and the emblematic Coso Apoteosis parade on Tuesday 17, where floats, comparsas and performance groups fill Santa Cruz with rhythm and color.
Murgas, comparsas and living tradition
One of the great highlights of the Tenerife Carnival are the murgas—musical groups that combine humor, social commentary and vocal talent. Their competitions, both in children’s and adult categories, form part of the Carnival’s soul and gather thousands of followers each year.
Alongside them, the comparsas, rondallas and musical ensembles bring diversity and cultural richness to a festival that continues to evolve without losing its essence. Carnival isn’t something you simply watch; it’s something you live in the streets, surrounded by food stalls, kiosks and improvised stages that transform the center of Santa Cruz into a huge festive venue.
The Burial of the Sardine: satire and collective emotion
After the revelry comes one of the most symbolic events: the Burial of the Sardine, held on Wednesday, 18 February. This peculiar ritual, full of irony and theatricality, marks the end of the main days of Carnival. Mourners, widows and satirical characters accompany the sardine on its route —between laughter and mock tears— until it is finally burned.
In Tenerife, this event is not just a farewell, but a collective expression of the Carnival spirit that blends humor, critique and popular tradition.
An internationally acclaimed carnival
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 1980, making it the only celebration in the Canary Islands to hold such recognition. Its history, marked by decades of creativity and cultural resilience, has turned this festival into a global reference point, comparable to the world’s greatest carnivals.
From the first Carnival Queen election in 1935 to today’s massive galas, the Carnival has adapted to the times without losing its identity, becoming one of the most significant cultural expressions in the Canary Islands.
Experience Carnival from Abama Hotels
If you stay at Abama Hotels, whether at Las Terrazas de Abama Suites or Los Jardines de Abama Suites & Villas, you can enjoy the Tenerife Carnival without giving up the comfort and well-being of an exclusive and peaceful setting.
In addition to the grand Santa Cruz Carnival, the Carnivals of South Tenerife—such as the Los Cristianos Carnival or the Los Gigantes Carnival—offer a closer and more accessible alternative, with joyful and colorful celebrations that don’t require long travel distances.
The Tenerife Carnival invites you to let yourself be carried away by rhythm, creativity and collective joy, connecting with the island’s cultural essence and turning every visit into a unique and unforgettable experience.
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