Tenerife Carnival 2027: New Dates and Where to Stay
Published by Pambnb 路 Practical guides for visitors to Tenerife
Carnival programmes are published in advance and can still change. Confirm dates with the organisers before booking flights.
If you plan your 2027, Tenerife Carnival 2027 trip the way you planned the last one, there is a good chance you will book the wrong week. Santa Cruz de Tenerife has moved its street carnival roughly two weeks later than the pattern most visitors expect, and the two biggest carnivals on the island no longer fall at the same time.
That is either a problem or an opportunity, depending on how early you work it out.
At a glance
Santa Cruz de Tenerife | Puerto de la Cruz | |
Opening gala | 22 January 2027 | Provisional: around 20 January 2027 |
Street carnival | 19 to 28 February 2027 | Provisional: expected to peak 12 to 14 February 2027 |
Big parade | During the semana grande, published as Tuesday 23 February | Provisional: Gran Coso expected on 13 February |
Theme | Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval | Bajo el Mar |
Scale | One of Spain's best-known and largest carnivals | An international carnival with a distinctive programme |
The important line in that table is the third one down. Based on the currently published and provisional dates, the two events are not expected to overlap. If you want to attend both, you may be able to do so. If you only want one, pick your dates deliberately rather than assuming carnival is a single week in February.
Why 2027 is different - Tenerife Carnival 2027
Carnival usually tracks the church calendar, working backwards from Easter. Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, which puts Ash Wednesday on 10 February, and that would normally place the main carnival days in the first half of February.
Santa Cruz decided otherwise. The city council moved the celebration two weeks later because the Recinto Ferial remains occupied by the PIT children's fair until 6 January, leaving too little time to build the carnival stage. The change also gives carnival groups, suppliers and other professionals more preparation time. The street carnival will therefore run from 19 to 28 February.
For visitors this means the usual shortcuts do not work. Last year's dates, a generic carnival calendar, or a guess based on Easter will all point you at the wrong week.
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the 2027 programme
The council has published its official programme. These are the dates that matter most to a visitor.
Date | Event |
22 January | Gala inaugural, the official opening |
23 and 24 January | Musical and choreographic group contests |
29 to 31 January | Children's murgas and rondallas |
1 to 6 February | Adult murgas contest, with the final on 6 February |
8 and 10 February | Children's queen gala and the seniors' gala |
13 and 14 February | Comparsas contest and costume contest |
17 February | Gala de Elecci贸n de la Reina, the queen election |
19 February | Cabalgata Anunciadora, the opening parade of the street carnival |
19 to 28 February | Semana grande, the street carnival |
23 February | Coso Apote贸sico, the main parade, as published |
21 and 27 February | Carnavales de D铆a, the daytime carnival events |
28 February | Closing programme, including the seniors' carnival, classic cars and fireworks |
The official programme places the Coso Apote贸sico on Tuesday 23 February. If your trip depends on this one event, check the latest official programme before booking because schedules can still change.
Two things visitors often underestimate: the Queen Election Gala on 17 February is a major ticketed spectacle, while the daytime carnival events are a more practical choice for families and anyone who does not want to stay out until dawn.
Puerto de la Cruz: the alternative in the north
Puerto de la Cruz runs its own international carnival. At the time of writing, its full 2027 programme had not been published by the council. Third-party calendars list an opening around 20 January, a Gran Coso on 13 February and a closing weekend around 14 February, under the announced theme Bajo el Mar. Treat those dates as provisional and confirm them with Puerto de la Cruz before booking.
Puerto de la Cruz is smaller and more compact than Santa Cruz, which can make it easier to navigate with children. It is also home to the Mascarita Ponte Tac贸n, the famous high-heel race and one of the carnival's most distinctive events.
If the provisional Puerto de la Cruz calendar is confirmed, a two-week trip in February could include its main weekend followed by Santa Cruz's semana grande. Check the final Puerto de la Cruz programme before building a trip around both events.
In the south, Los Cristianos holds its own international carnival, generally later than Santa Cruz. Dates for 2027 had not been published at the time of writing, so check with Arona if the south is your base.
Which one should you choose?
If you want | Go to |
The biggest possible spectacle | Santa Cruz, semana grande, 19 to 28 February |
Something manageable with children | Santa Cruz daytime and children's events; check Puerto de la Cruz's final family programme |
The famous parade | Santa Cruz, the Coso |
A distinctive local tradition | Puerto de la Cruz, for the Mascarita Ponte Tac贸n |
Beach in the day, carnival at night | The south, with a trip up to Santa Cruz for the big days |
Practical advice that actually helps
Book accommodation early. Carnival creates strong demand in and around Santa Cruz, while February is already a busy winter month across Tenerife. Prices can rise and the most convenient options may sell out months ahead.
Wear a costume. Not optional in spirit. In Santa Cruz during the semana grande, the people not in costume are the ones who look out of place.
Plan how you will get home. Special public-transport arrangements are normally announced for the busiest nights, and taxi queues can be long. Check the 2027 TITSA and Metrotenerife service notices before setting out.
Expect late. The street carnival is a night event. Things start much later than visitors assume and run until dawn.
Carry a little cash. Street bars and kiosks are not always set up for cards, and phone signal in a crowd of that size can be unreliable.
Take a jacket. February evenings in Santa Cruz are mild rather than warm, and you will be outside for a long time.
Consider the daytime carnivals if late nights are not your holiday. Same music, same costumes, in daylight, with families everywhere.
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Where to stay for carnival 2027
Accommodation in central Santa Cruz is likely to fill early, so staying elsewhere and travelling into the city can be a practical alternative.
For the Santa Cruz carnival, the north east of the island is the practical choice. Our Bajamar Seaside Retreat sits on the coast near the natural pools with a bus connection towards Santa Cruz, and the apartment with sea views and gym in Bajamar is a short walk away. If you want somewhere genuinely quiet to sleep it off, the Refugio Natural in the Anaga area is in the hills above the city with fibre internet and a private terrace.
If you would rather combine carnival with the south, the Golf del Sur apartment with its heated pools, and the Loft Brisas del Mar in Parque Albatros, put you near the beaches with the motorway north for the big nights.
On the west coast, Casa La Tosquita in Alcal谩 is a calm base if you plan to dip into carnival rather than live in it.
If you own a property in Tenerife
Carnival is worth a specific pricing decision rather than a default rate. Santa Cruz's semana grande falls at the end of February in 2027, during Tenerife's busy winter season.
Three practical points: set your carnival rates and minimum stay early; review demand separately for Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz once both programmes are final; and avoid leaving an awkward one- or two-night gap in the middle of the busiest dates.
If you want the full logic on how to price February and the winter season, we set it out in our guide to winter rental pricing for owners.
Frequently asked questions for Tenerife Carnival 2027
When is Tenerife Carnival 2027?
Santa Cruz Carnival opens with its inaugural gala on 22 January 2027, and the street carnival runs from 19 to 28 February. Puerto de la Cruz is provisionally expected to peak earlier, around 12 to 14 February, but its final council programme should be checked before booking.
Why are the 2027 dates later than usual?
Santa Cruz City Council moved the celebration two weeks later because the Recinto Ferial remains occupied until 6 January, leaving insufficient time to build the carnival stage under the traditional calendar. The change also allows more preparation time for participating groups, suppliers and organisers.
What is the theme for 2027?
Santa Cruz has announced Roma Eterna: El Imperio del Carnaval. Puerto de la Cruz has announced Bajo el Mar.
When is the main parade?
The official Santa Cruz programme places the Coso Apote贸sico on Tuesday 23 February. Check the latest official programme if your trip depends on it.
Do I need a costume?
Not formally, but you will enjoy it far more in one. During the semana grande most of the crowd is in costume.
Is Tenerife Carnival suitable for children?
Yes, if you choose the right events. Santa Cruz's daytime carnival and children's galas are the most suitable options for families. Check the final Puerto de la Cruz programme for its family events. The all-night street parties are generally less suitable for young children.
How far in advance should I book accommodation?
As early as you can, especially if you want to stay in or near Santa Cruz. February is already a busy winter month, and convenient carnival accommodation can go months ahead.
Can I see both carnivals in one trip?
Probably, if Puerto de la Cruz's provisional dates are confirmed. Its main events are expected in mid-February, before Santa Cruz's street carnival from 19 to 28 February. Confirm both programmes before booking a two-carnival trip.
Book your carnival week before it goes
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