Tenerife Carnival 2027: dates and programme

The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest in the world and the most famous in Spain: costume contests, murgas and comparsas on the stage, and then ten days in which the whole city celebrates in the streets – in shorts, at 20 °C. The short answer for 2027: the carnival opens with the inaugural gala on 22 January, the street carnival runs from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 February 2027, and the big Coso parade takes place on Tuesday 23 February from 16:00. The theme of 2027 is Rome.

Tenerife Carnival 2027: the key dates

Dates and times from the official programme of the City of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Fiestas de Santa Cruz) and the official carnival website (see sources). The city declared Carnival Tuesday, 23 February, a local holiday.

The 2027 carnival is two weeks later than in previous years. According to the city, the reason is technical: the carnival stage in the Recinto Ferial, the trade fair hall where the galas take place, could not be assembled in the time available.

The theme of 2027 is Rome – "Roma: El imperio del Carnaval" on the official website –, and the poster, "El legado de un imperio", is by the artist Nareme Melián. Expect togas, legionaries and emperors among the costumes.

The galas: stage before street

From late January, the carnival happens on stage in the Recinto Ferial: contests of the musical groups, the murgas (satirical choirs) and comparsas (dance groups with Latin rhythms), and the Queen galas, where the candidates present huge, elaborate costumes. Tickets for the galas go on sale in advance; the final of the murgas and the election of the Carnival Queen are the most sought-after.

In the streets: from Cabalgata to Piñata

The street carnival begins on Friday 19 February with the Cabalgata Anunciadora at 19:30, which starts at the Plaza de la República Dominicana and ends on Avenida Francisco La Roche by the harbour. Then the city centre turns into one big party for ten days:

• Night dances: stages and music in the streets around the Plaza de España and the harbour avenues, until the early morning.
• Carnaval de Día: on Sunday 21 and Saturday 27 February the party starts in the daytime – the most relaxed option for families and for anyone who does not want to stay up all night.
• Coso Apoteósico: on Tuesday 23 February from 16:00, the big parade with floats, comparsas and murgas moves along Avenida Francisco La Roche and Avenida Marítima.
• Piñata weekend: from Friday 26 February the carnival celebrates once more, with the children's Coso and a last daytime carnival, before the programme ends on 28 February.

Everyone is in costume – also visitors. You will feel underdressed without at least a wig or a mask.

Weather in February

Averages 2015–2024 for Santa Cruz de Tenerife from the ERA5 reanalysis (via Open-Meteo), rounded.

Around 20 °C in the day and 14 to 15 °C at night – warm enough for light costumes, but nights in the streets can feel cool, so bring a layer. YesTrip shows you the forecast for your actual travel days and suggests matching clothes in the packing list.

Getting there and getting around

From London, Tenerife is about four and a half hours by plane. Most international flights land at Tenerife South (TFS), about an hour by bus or car from Santa Cruz; Tenerife North (TFN), near La Laguna, is much closer to the capital and is served by flights from mainland Spain. Buses connect both airports with Santa Cruz.

If you want to see more of the island before or after carnival – the Teide, the north coast or Anaga –, a rental car in Tenerife^* (EconomyBookings) is the easiest way; leave it parked during the carnival days, when parts of the centre are closed to traffic. Tickets for the Teide cable car can be booked as tickets and tours in Tenerife^* (Tiqets). From outside the EU, a travel eSIM for Spain^* (Airalo) is usually cheaper than roaming; our eSIM price index compares the prices per gigabyte.

Where to stay

• Santa Cruz city centre: in the middle of the street carnival, loud until morning and booked out early.
• La Laguna: the old university town, a tram ride from Santa Cruz, calmer at night.
• The south coast: many hotels and the beaches, but about an hour from the carnival.

Rooms in Santa Cruz are scarce for the carnival week; book well ahead, or stay in La Laguna.

More than carnival

Tenerife in February is a winter-sun destination in its own right. Our guide to the best time to visit the Canary Islands compares the islands and seasons, and winter sun city breaks has more ideas. If you prefer a winter carnival in Europe, the Venice Carnival 2027 and the Cologne Carnival 2027 take place earlier in February.

In YesTrip, "What's on" lists festivals, events and holidays on the days of your trip, and you can add them to the day plan with one tap.

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