Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the Canary Island of the same name. It’s a city steeped in history and culture, with a number of fantastic attractions for visitors. From ancient botanical gardens to museums, cathedrals and more, there are plenty of things to see and do in Santa Cruz. However, there is one event that stands above all others in terms of popularity, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This two-week celebration takes place every February between Ash Wednesday and Fat Thursday (also known as Mardi Gras). It’s an incredible event that attracts people from all over the world, with 70% coming from outside of Spain. The festival features parades with elaborate costumes, music and dance performances, fireworks displays and other activities. If you want to experience this wonderful festival for yourself, read on to discover everything you need to know about the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
What is the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest carnivals in the world and is one of the most important cultural events in Spain. The festival takes place over two weeks in February each year and is celebrated in many cities throughout Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a colourful event that is a mix of culture, art, and history. It is a fantastic celebration that draws people from all over the world, with 70% of the visitors coming from other countries. The festival features parades with elaborate costumes, music and dance performances, fireworks displays and other activities. The celebrations are centered around the theme of the ‘Three Wise Men', who are thought to be the ones who visited Jesus in the manger. The celebrations begin with Carnival Sunday when people start to don costumes and take part in the parades. Visitors can expect to see processions of ornate floats, accompanied by dancers and musicians in extravagant costumes.
Activities during the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife features a wide variety of activities, which makes it the perfect event to attend with friends, family or your partner. Let’s take a look at some of the best Carnival activities you can participate in during your time in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
- Parades: The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife features a wide variety of colourful parades, which makes it a fantastic event to attend with friends, family or your partner. The parades feature ornate floats, accompanied by dancers and musicians in extravagant costumes, and are a great way to experience the culture of the city.
- Live music: There are a number of live music concerts during the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You can enjoy these live music events with your friends and family members, making it a truly memorable experience.
- Fireworks: Another fantastic Carnival activity is the fireworks displays. These events take place at night and are a great way to end a busy day. You can experience the fireworks display with your partner, making it a very romantic evening indeed.
- Street art: The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a great event to experience street art, which is a form of visual art that is displayed in public places. You can see the works of art during the Carnival and even participate in creating your own pieces of art.
- Traditional food and drink: Another fantastic way to experience the culture of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is through the traditional food and drink that is served at the event. You can try a variety of different dishes and beverages, such as paella, which is a Spanish rice dish, or sangria, which is a popular beverage made from wine and fruit.
Where to stay during the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
If you want to experience the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the fullest, you can book a hotel close to the city centre to make it easy to get around. Here are a few great hotels to consider staying at during the Carnival.
- Gran Hotel el Jadron: The Gran Hotel el Jadron is a wonderful hotel that is very close to the city centre. It’s close to the Cathedral, where many of the carnival festivities are held. This makes it a great choice for Carnival visitors. - Hotel La Miscelanea: Another great hotel to consider staying at during the Carnival is the Hotel La Miscelanea. This hotel is located in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is close to the Cathedral, making it an excellent option for visitors.
- Navajas Parador Hotel: If you want to stay at a luxury hotel during the Carnival, the Navajas Parador Hotel is an excellent choice. This hotel is located in the city centre, making it easy to get around without any trouble.
Conclusion
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the most important cultural events in Spain. It’s a fantastic celebration that draws people from all over the world. The Carnival features parades with elaborate costumes, music and dance performances, fireworks displays and other activities. If you want to experience this wonderful festival for yourself, make sure to visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife between February and March.