The countdown to the 2027 Santa Cruz Carnival takes another step forward this Wednesday, 4 November, with the draw for the order in which groups will perform in next year’s competitions.
The draw takes place at 5.30pm in the auditorium at Espacio Cajasiete, chaired by the councillor for Festivities, Javier Caraballero.
For Carnival groups, this is rather like the Christmas Lottery, except nobody is hoping to win a few million euros. They’re hoping to avoid being first on stage… or perhaps get a slot when the audience is properly warmed up.
The draw will decide the running order for each group, and no doubt set off plenty of discussion in rehearsal rooms across the city. The number might be decided by the drum, but the songs, costumes and performances are still down to the groups themselves.
The artistic direction of all eight competition categories will be overseen by Yeray Piñero.
The draw starts with the senior groups, followed by the musical groups, choreographic groups, children’s murgas, comparsas, rondallas, Canción de la Risa and, finally, the adult murgas.
The adult murgas competition will have four qualifying rounds with six groups in each, followed by a final featuring eight. The children’s murgas will have two qualifying rounds, with eight groups in each.
Some familiar faces missing, with new arrivals joining the line-up
There are a few notable changes to the 2027 line-up.
Comparsas Rumberos and Valleiros will be absent, while Abenaura returns and Bella Mariana has secured a place in the competition.
Salsabor, the murgas Disimulados and Redoblonas, and Los Dibujos Animados se van de Fogalera will also be missing.
On the new arrivals list are Sabor a Diablos and Mamerecumbé, two musical groups with roots in the murga tradition.
The first competitions begin on 23 January with the musical groups. Once the draw is complete, every group will know exactly when it is due to take the stage, and the countdown to Carnival 2027 can properly begin.