TENERIFE CARNIVAL
(FEBRUARY - MARCH)
Carnival is celebrated in every town and village on the island, but the most spectacular carnival celebrations are to be found in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz.
The Santa Cruz festivities are almost the island carnival as it attracts so many people from all over the island. There is a very complete programme of activities drawn up by the fiestas committee of each town council.
Carnival is celebrated in the street. Plaza de España, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is
decorated and many different kinds of stalls
and kiosks are set up, giving the area music and a festive atmosphere.. Once elections have been held for Carnival Queen, her Court and the Junior Carnival Queen, a
parade is organised to announce the beginning of Carnival.
The following week is a busy one filled with competitions between different kinds of Carnival groups, bands and dance schools: murgas, rondallas, comparsas, fancy dress competitions and a parade of antique cars. Carnival reaches a climax on carnival Tuesday , with the "coso" (a parade that starts in the afternoon, early evening.
The burial of the sardine is another ritual that is carried out in all the places we have mentioned, although the "burials" held in Los Realejos, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz are the best. The sardine is made from rags and cloths. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an enormous sardine sitting on a throne is carried through the streets on a float, followed by an entourage of mourners, pregnant men and widows in floods of tears and general hysteria.
The festivities end on the Saturday and Sunday after Carnival Tuesday, with the "Piñata Chica" and all its shows, street parties, parades and exhibitions.
The Santa Cruz festivities are almost the island carnival as it attracts so many people from all over the island. There is a very complete programme of activities drawn up by the fiestas committee of each town council.
Carnival is celebrated in the street. Plaza de España, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is decorated and many different kinds of stalls and kiosks are set up, giving the area music and a festive atmosphere.. Once elections have been held for Carnival Queen, her Court and the Junior Carnival Queen, a parade is organised to 
announce the beginning of Carnival.
The following week is a busy one filled with competitions between different kinds of
Carnival groups, bands and dance schools: murgas, rondallas, comparsas, fancy dress competitions and a parade of antique cars. Carnival reaches a climax on carnival Tuesday , with the "coso" (a parade that starts in the afternoon, early evening.
The burial of the sardine is another ritual that is carried out in all the places we have mentioned, although the "burials" held in Los Realejos, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz are the best. The sardine is made from rags and cloths. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an enormous sardine sitting on a throne is carried through the streets on a float, followed by an entourage of mourners, pregnant men and widows in floods of tears and general hysteria.
The festivities end on the Saturday and Sunday after Carnival Tuesday, with the "Piñata Chica" and all its shows, street parties, parades and exhibitions.
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