Santa Cruz de Tenerife has unveiled the official programme for Carnival 2027, introducing several significant changes to the event calendar as preparations begin for one of the island’s biggest annual celebrations.
The “Eternal Rome: The Empire of Carnival” edition will run from 22nd January to 28th February 2027, with organisers condensing the programme into five weeks and introducing a revised competition schedule.
Four Major Changes for 2027
According to Santa Cruz’s Department of Festivals, the 2027 edition will feature four key changes:
- The Carnival will begin two weeks later than in previous years, breaking away from the traditional religious calendar.
- All official events will be condensed into a five-week programme.
- Musical Groups (Agrupaciones Musicales) will become the first competition of Carnival.
- The Rondallas Competition will take place before the official street celebrations, allowing it to remain at the Auditorio de Tenerife.
Councillor for Festivals Javier Caraballero presented the programme to Carnival groups this week and confirmed that registration for participating groups will open from 3rd to 20th July.
Carnival Begins on 22nd January
The festivities officially begin on Friday, 22nd January, with the opening gala and the presentation of candidates for the Adult, Children’s and Senior Carnival Queen competitions.
The following day, Saturday, 23rd January, the Musical Groups Competition will open the contest schedule for the first time. The event will also feature free admission.
Competition Calendar
The official competition programme includes:
- 22 January – Opening Gala
- 23 January – Musical Groups Competition
- 29–30 January – Children’s Murgas Competition
- 31 January – Rondallas Competition
- 1–4 February – Adult Murgas Preliminary Rounds
- 6 February – Adult Murgas Final
- 7 February – Children’s Queen Gala
- 10 February – Senior Queen Gala
- 12 February – Canción de la Risa Competition
- 13 February – Comparsas Competition
- 14 February – Fancy Dress Competition
- 17 February – Carnival Queen Gala
Street Carnival
The programme then moves into the traditional street celebrations:
- 19 February – Opening Parade (Cabalgata Anunciadora)
- 20 February – Rhythm and Harmony Parade
- 21 February – First Day Carnival
- 22 February – Dragnaval
- 23 February – Grand Carnival Parade (Coso)
- 24 February – Burial of the Sardine
- 25 February – Inclusive Sardine Event
- 26 February – Children’s Parade
- 27 February – Second Day Carnival
- 28 February – Piñata Sunday, bringing Carnival 2027 to a close.
The 2027 edition will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of Santa Cruz’s modern Carnival, celebrating four decades since the event became internationally recognised for its large-scale street festivities.