The Carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the local festival with greatest impact and appeal in the Canary Islands and, thus, it was officially awarded the title of International Tourist Interest festival in 1980 and appeared in the Guinness Book of Records in 1987 with the fullest public participation –more than 200 thousand people- in a dance outdoors.
These are considered the second most popular and internationally known carnivals ranking after the ones held in Río de Janeiro, Brazil.
Currently, the Carnivals of Tenerife are hoped to become World Heritage and therefore the first Spanish carnivals to be awarded this recognition.
The Carnivals of Santa Cruz de Tenerife have almost certainly their roots in the first European settlements, since the first references date back to the end of the 18th century. They appeared in the diaries of Lope Antonio de la Guerra and Peña in 1778, where they wrote about “comparsas” (dance troupes) and a great dance celebrated in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The carnivals represent an event full of rhythm, colour and, ultimately, authenticity that takes place in the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. They have been exported to several countries amazed by this series of spectacles starting at the beginning of February. The carnival combines various events such as ceremonies where the different Queens of the Carnivals are chosen, competitions of bands of street musicians known as “murgas”, “comparsas” and orchestras parading, etc.
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