Tenerife Carnival 2025: Complete Guide and How to Get There By Ferry

Thinking of going to the Tenerife Carnival 2025? Then you've come to the right place! Today we have prepared a complete guide in which you can discover the key dates, the unmissable events (including parades and troupes) and, above all, how to get there by ferry to make the most of the experience.

Get ready to immerse yourself in an explosion of colour, music, and tradition that makes this carnival one of the most famous in the world. Read on and don't miss a thing!

Tenerife Carnival 2025 Schedule 

The Tenerife Carnival is held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the island. The most important official events take place in the city, such as the Queen's Election Gala, the Parades of Comparsas and Murgas, and the Coso Apotheosis.

The Tenerife Carnival 2025 will begin on January 31st with the Carnival Opening Gala and will end on March 9th with La Zarzuela, thus leaving more than a month of events and galas in which Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be the great protagonist of the Canary Islands. Here is the full program, although please note that it may be subject to change:

Weeks Event

History of the Carnival of Tenerife: Origins and Tradition

The Carnival of Tenerife, recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest, is held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is one of the most emblematic in Spain.

Its roots date back to the 18th century, when the tradition of dressing up became popular among the local population. Throughout its history, the carnival has overcome difficult stages, such as the Franco dictatorship, in which it changed its name to "Winter Festivities" in order to maintain itself. With the arrival of democracy, it recovered its splendour, becoming more multitudinous and incorporating the Canarian comparsas and murgas, which provide humour and social criticism of the country.

For weeks, the city is filled with music, dances and parades, crowning the Queen of Carnival as a great representative figure.

Tenerife Carnival Events

As you have already seen, the Tenerife Carnival is much more than a few days of festivities with costumes. The program is very extensive, and you can find a wide variety of events. Among the most popular are:

Queen's Election Gala: 26 February

This show is the most important and is the one that marks the official beginning of Carnival. The aspirants present themselves with impressive costumes that can even exceed 400 kilos in weight, and that have been created by important designers and sponsored by local companies.

The gala is a combination of music, dances and spectacle. It is even broadcasted live on television, making it one of the most followed events by the Canarians.

You can also find the Children's Queen Election Gala, held on February 16 and the Election Gala of the Queen of the Elderly, held on February 19.

Murgas Contest: February 14

The murgas are musical groups that, with humour and insight, criticize the political and social reality through songs. During the contest, each murga presents original lyrics and themed costumes. The final is usually one of the most anticipated events, since the most popular murgas gather many followers who sing their songs.

Comparsas Contest: February 22

The comparsas are in charge of giving the Carnival that Brazilian and Caribbean touch. Their choreographies stand out for the energy they exude, together with live percussion and colourful costumes. The groups play for the recognition of the best staging, thrilling the public with their impressive parades and dances.

Announcing Parade: February 28

The parade of Santa Cruz de Tenerife kicks off the party in the streets of the city. Floats, troupes, murgas, folkloric groups and more participants travel through the main avenues of Santa Cruz, flooding them with music and partying. It is the perfect occasion for Canarians and tourists to start enjoying the festive atmosphere that distinguishes Carnival.

Coso Apotheosis: March 4

It is one of the most attended events and is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday. It consists of a large parade in which the Queen and her Maids of Honor participate, as well as troupes, murgas and decorated floats, touring the streets in front of thousands of people. The Coso marks the peak moment of the festival, being an unforgettable experience during the carnival.

Burial of the Sardine: March 5

This event closes the Carnival with a touch of humour and fun. A giant sardine (usually made of papier-mâché) is "veiled" and then burned or buried, while some "widows" and "mourners" exaggerate their crying in a comical way. With this curious final parade, the celebration ends and remains pending until next year.

However, although this is the official end of the Tenerife Carnival, events are still held on the following days, thus extending the carnival with events such as the second day of carnival.

When is Tenerife Day Carnival?

In 2025 the day carnival will be held on March 3, where you can see the opening parade and the presentation of the queens, among other events. In 2025, a second day carnival will also be held on March 8.

What is the theme of the 2025 Tenerife Carnival?

The theme chosen for the Tenerife Carnival 2025 is ''Secrets of Africa'', as selected through the website of the municipal corporation of Tenerife. The official song of the festival is ''Soy Carnavaler'' by Moisés García.

Tenerife Children's Carnival 2025

The Tenerife Children's Carnival 2025 arrives full of joy and colour, designed especially for children and families.

Among the outstanding activities are the selection of the Children's Queen, where the little ones show their best costumes, and the Children's Coso, a vibrant parade with themed floats, music and dance that allows children to express their creativity. In addition, there will be art workshops, friendly competitions and educational shows on Canarian traditions.

This carnival offers an inclusive and fun atmosphere, combining entertainment and learning for the whole family to enjoy an unforgettable carnival experience.

The gala for the election of the Children's Queen will be held on February 16.

The Children's Bullring will be held on March 7.

Tips to make the most of the Carnival of Tenerife

If you want to make sure you experience the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife without problems, we advise you to follow a few tips:

Get to know the program: It is quite common to arrive at Carnival and it does not meet our expectations, especially if we are looking for a specific event and it does not take place during the days we visit the city. We advise you to take a look at the program in advance and go on the days whose events catch your attention the most.

Book in advance: Such an important international event can also give you surprises if you leave everything to the last minute. We recommend booking your accommodation and ferry/plane tickets in advance, as seats tend to fill up quite quickly and prices tend to rise with demand.

Dress up or wear comfortable clothes: If you have thought about not dressing up, we recommend that you reconsider, because when you see the festive atmosphere you will want to be immersed in it. Although as we have mentioned before you can find costumes in the city itself, we recommend that you plan it in advance to feel more comfortable. If you don't want to dress up... that's okay! Just make sure to wear comfortable clothes as the streets are quite crowded and you will have to move around in enclosed spaces.

Hydrate and eat well. The high temperatures, as well as the large crowds and dances will make you easily dehydrated. Don't forget to drink water and eat well to avoid surprises.

Take care of your belongings. As with every big crowd event, there are usually pickpockets in the vicinity waiting for a chance to steal your belongings. Take good care of your mobile phone and wallet and try to make sure that your costume has a safe place where it cannot be easily accessible.

Follow the official accounts. Once you are at the carnival, we recommend that you follow the official accounts of the carnival organization. Although not very common, there may be changes to the event schedule and this will be a pretty effective way to keep you updated on all the changes during the event.

How to get to the Tenerife Carnival by ferry?

The ferry is one of the most popular options to get to the carnival in Tenerife. If you are in the Canary Islands you can find a wide variety of routes from all the islands. In addition, at this time there are usually a greater number of crossings available, so you will also have greater regularity and schedules. The ferry is also an ideal means of transport if you want to travel by car to carnival.

The ferry routes to Tenerife for Carnival are as follows:

Ferries from Gran Canaria to Tenerife

Las Palmas – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Approximate duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Agaete – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Approximate duration of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Operators: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express.

Ferries from La Palma to Tenerife

Santa Cruz de La Palma – Los Cristianos. Approximate duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Santa Cruz de La Palma – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Approximate duration of 6 hours.

Operators: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express.

Ferries from El Hierro to Tenerife

Valverde – Los Cristianos. Approximate duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Operators: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express.

Ferries from La Gomera to Tenerife

San Sebastián de La Gomera – Los Cristianos. Approximate duration of 50 minutes.

Operators: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express.

Ferries from mainland Spain to Tenerife

Huelva – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Approximate duration of 33 hours and 30 minutes.

Cádiz – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Duration approximately 38 hours.

Operators: Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen Express. Please note that these crossings are long-term, and it will be advisable to book accommodation with both operators.

Ferry Schedule for the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

During Tenerife Carnival, ferry schedules can vary significantly due to increased demand. As we mentioned before, as the number of visitors increases, so too does the number of crossings and schedules available.

To ensure you get the latest information about ferry schedules to Tenerife Carnival, we recommend using the Direct Ferries price comparison engine. This tool will allow you to find the best travel options, compare prices and book your tickets quickly and easily.

Where to Stay During Tenerife Carnival?

Organising accommodation for Tenerife Carnival can seem like a challenge, but don't worry, there are many well-connected areas where you can easily stay and get to the main events. Here are the best areas to stay during carnival:

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Area

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife area is the busiest during carnival, offering a plethora of bars, restaurants, and a constant party atmosphere. Staying here will allow you to be very close to the main events, such as Plaza de España, Plaza de la Candelaria and García Sanabria Park. 

Advantages:

• Proximity to the main events of the carnival.
• Wide range of restaurants and nightlife.
• Greater festive atmosphere and cultural activities.

Considerations:

• Prices: Accommodations in this area are usually higher due to high demand.
• Quiet Alternative: The Health neighbourhood offers a quieter option and more affordable prices, while staying close to the centre.

La Laguna Area

The La Laguna Area is located about 8 kilometres from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is an excellent option for those looking for a cultural and tranquil atmosphere. Getting to the center of Santa Cruz from La Laguna is quick, with a travel time of approximately 15-20 minutes.

Advantages:

• University and cultural environment.
• Your own version of carnival, adding more activities and fun.
• More varied accommodation options and competitive prices.

Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas area

Located in the south of Tenerife, the areas of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas are known for their nightlife and beautiful beaches. Although they are about an hour from Santa Cruz, they offer a variety of accommodations and public transportation options for easy commuting.

Advantages:

• Excellent nightlife and daytime activities.
• Wide range of accommodation, from hotels to apartments.
• Easy access to public transport to get you to the carnival centre.

Considerations:

• Distance: They are a little further from the carnival center, but public transportation is efficient.
• Atmosphere: Ideal for those looking to combine the fun of carnival with relaxation on the beach.

Tips for Booking Your Accommodation

Book in Advance: The Tenerife Carnival attracts thousands of visitors, so it is advisable to book your accommodation as soon as possible to ensure availability and better prices.

Consider the Location: Assess how close you want to be to the main events and choose the area that best suits your needs.

Compare Options: Use price comparison platforms and check the opinions of other travellers to find the best option for you.

Where do I buy my costume for the Carnival of Tenerife?

We recommend that you prepare your costume in advance, as the creative process will immerse you in the experience from the start. You can either do it yourself or buy it if you don't want so many complications.

In case you haven't prepared anything... Don't worry! You are not the only one and such a massive event is prepared for cases like yours. Some popular alternatives include:

•  Downtown costume shops. Santa Cruz de Tenerife has a wide variety of shops in the centre, selling last-minute costumes. You can find these shops in the surroundings of Plaza de la Candelaria, Plaza de España and the nearby shopping streets
• Large bazaars and shops. Large establishments are also preparing for this time of year and you will have several options to get by.
• Street stalls. When you walk through its streets you can also find street stalls in costumes. If you find them and you're not in costume, there will be no excuses!