Carnival in the Canary Islands: The must-sees

The Canary Islands is Europe’s Carnival capital. There’s no place in the entire continent where these festivities are so intense. In fact, if you’re travelling between January and March, you’ll sense a special joy in the streets. Carnival in the Canaries is an explosion of colour and joy! It’s as if the streets turn into a vibrant canvas full of costumes, floats and contagious music. No matter where you look, there’s always something to surprise you: the bands with their ingenious lyrics, the troupes with their spectacular costumes, and the parades with their dazzling energy. Best of all is that this carnival not only transforms the streets, it also transforms everyone’s spirits!

The most popular carnivals are those of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Maspalomas, although La Palma and Fuerteventura also have some unique events. In La Palma, the Fiesta de los Indianos involves a lot of baby powder and in Fuerteventura, the Achipencos regatta is a real blast on the water.  Two very special events that you can’t miss for anything in the world if you’re on the island. As a result, each island experiences carnival its own way, and they’re all unique. They’re all special. And they also have something in common, since the excellent climate allows them to be held outdoors, without worrying about the cold in the least.

Do you want to get caught up in the magic and joy of carnival? Pay attention to the most important dates to enjoy Carnival in the Canary Islands in 2024, and, if possible, don’t miss any of the celebrations.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the second most important in the world after Rio de Janeiro. Murgas (bands), comparsas (troupes), batucadas (samba) and floats fill the streets of Tenerife’s capital with fantasy. So important is this festival on the island that it has its own museum: La Casa del Carnaval.

In 2024 the carnival will revolve around the world of television, so you can start coming up with a themed costume. Think about the character of your favorite series, the cartoons from your childhood or the TV show that made history… Anything goes here!

One of the main highlights of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the Queen Gala, an emotionally charged event that basically kicks off the festivities and in which the Carnival Queen is elected. The contenders compete in spectacular fantasy outfits to claim their spot on the throne.

The most important events are held in the week from 12 January to 18 February. Take note:

• Friday, 12 January: Opening of the Carnival
• Sunday, 21 January: Dance Festival
• Friday, 26 January:  Final of the murgas competition
• Sunday, 28 January: Gala to elect the Children’s Queen.
• Wednesday, 7 February (at night):  Election of the Carnival Queen
• Friday, 9 February: Day of the grand Carnival Parade. The newly-elected Queen will preside over a parade animated by murgas, batucadas and comparsas.
• Saturday, 10 February: Joy takes hold of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  • In the afternoon, the comparsas (troupes) participate in the Rhythm and Harmony competition
  • At night, the grand celebration takes place. This celebration drags on until the early hours, and in the past it has brought together 400,000 people on the streets of the capital.
• Sunday, 11 February: The Day Carnival is an event for the entire family. Children, parents, teens and the elderly enjoy the magic of Carnival.
• Tuesday, 13 February: The farewell begins. The first farewell event is the Carnival’s Coso Apoteosis.
• Wednesday, 14 February: The Burial of the Sardine is a carnival parade that parodies a funeral procession and culminates with the burning of a symbolic figure, usually a sardine. During the event, the past is symbolically buried so the new can be born again even stronger. It’s a day of mourning, but also lots of humour, as the festivities draw to an end… but not entirely.
• Weekend of 16, 17 and 18 February: This Friday will see the Children’s Coso, and another day Carnival is scheduled for the 17th. It all ends on Sunday with performances by Ni Fú-Ni Fá and La Zarzuela.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival

The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an explosion of joy, music and colour. The streets of the island’s capital vibrate with joie de vivre and attract visitors from all over the world. The party dates back to colonial times and has evolved into an event of great cultural and tourist importance to the city. This year’s carnival is themed “The Carnivals of the World” and will be held from 25 January to 18 February 2024. 

It is known worldwide for, among others, its Drag Queen Gala. This irreverent and groundbreaking event has become an international bastion of joy and freedom. It’s an incredible show in which drag queens blur the gender line and create art.

Find out the key dates of this special Carnival, declared a Feast of International Tourism Interest, here:

• Thursday, 25 January: Carnival Opening Parade and pronouncement
• Saturday, 3 February: Final of the murgas competition
• Sunday, 28 January: Selection of the Drag Queen candidates
• Friday, 9 February: Carnival Queen Gala
• Tuesday, 13 February: Children’s parade and Family Carnival
• Friday, 16 February: Drag Queen Gala
• Saturday, 17 February: Great Parade and Carnival Night
• Sunday, 18 February: End of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival with the Day Carnival, Burial of the Sardine and the Presentation of the theme for 2025.

Maspalomas Carnival

If there’s one thing that characterises the Maspalomas Carnival is its strong international presence, as it’s celebrated in the south of the island, where, by the way, all the Princess hotels are located. You’ll have fun at all of its events, which have their big day with the Great Parade, where about 100 floats travel through the main streets of the tourist area, crowded with people who go out to enjoy the great carnival party.

This year’s Carnival will be held from 7 to 17 March 2024.The theme selected is “Memories of Television”, so get your most nostalgic costume ready and come have fun at the most international Carnival!

• Thursday, 7 March: Opening gala of the Maspalomas Carnival
• Friday, 8 March: Gala for the Carnival Children’s Queen
• Saturday, 9 March: Carnival Queen Gala
• Thursday, 14 March: Drag Queen Maspalomas Gala
• Saturday, 16 March: Great Carnival Parade
• Sunday, 17 March: Burial of the Sardine

La Palma Carnival

The capital of La Palma, Santa Cruz de La Palma, will be a sea of white on Monday, 12 February, as a homage to the locals who in the 19th century departed to Latin America in search of wealth and were fortunate in their attempt. To the point that when they returned, they made no effort in hiding it, by wearing elegant white linen suits, smoking Cuban cigars and boasting bags full of notes.

Los Indianos, the most popular carnival on La Palma, is a parody of those emigrants. It consists of wearing a white dress and carrying a tin of baby powder in your hand. The famous powder battle is one of the most important celebrations of the day.

And, if you’re asking yourself why this battle takes place, there are two theories. The first theory is that the arrival of a shipment of flour in poor condition at La Palma’s Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma was subsequently used as ammunition in this small powder battle. The second refers to a tradition inherited from the Cuban Abakuá, who “powdered” themselves on Carnival Monday to whiten their skin.

Fuerteventura Carnival

Make a note of this word: Achipenco. You’ll need it if you go to Fuerteventura to celebrate the Carnival.

Achipenco is the acronym for Artilugio Carnavalero Hydrodynámico Impulsado por Energía No Contaminante Obviamente (Hydrodynamic Carnival Device Driven By Non-Polluting Energy Obviously). In 1998 the Carnival Association “Así Andamos”  decided to embark on something different, and some of them, lovers of the sea, suggested organising a carnival parade in the water. And that’s how, 22 years ago, the event known as “Los Achipencos” began in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura.

This year, the famous “Achipencos Regata” will take place on Friday, 23 February. An opportunity to see a unique show featuring over 40 vessels.

Categories: Canaries, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Be inspired, La Palma, Tenerife