The Canaries.
The sun, the fine sand beaches, the volcanoes… And the carnivals.
Every winter, these festivities brighten up the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean and attract tourists from all over the world.
On the menu: dances, songs, parades, election of the Carnival Queen or... sardines.
So put on your prettiest (or spookiest) disguise and throw yourself into the festive atmosphere of the Canarian carnivals with our guide.
To discover
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Carnival in Tenerife, one of the most popular in the world
The Carnival of Tenerife is twinned with that of Rio de Janeiro.
Canary Islands
Dates 2023: from January 20 to February 26
It is not for nothing that Tenerife was elected in 2000 “Carnival Capital of the World”.
Between January 20 and February 26, the largest island of the Canary Islands hosts dances, songs and parades for a colorful carnival.
Paired with the carnival of Rio, it also borrows a lot from the Brazilian festivities.
The second most popular carnival in the world, it has adopted a new theme every year since 1987.
This year 2023, “New York City” is in the spotlight.
Tenerife Carnival opens with the gala where the Queen of the Festivities is elected – usually on the Wednesday of the first week of the event.
Each of the candidates for the title parades, carrying on her shoulders a spectacular costume.
The accoutrements presented to the public can weigh up to 400kg and measure up to three meters in height.
The following Friday, place to the "Cabalgata" ("parade") of hundreds of revelers ("carnivaleros") in the streets of the island.
The processions continue for several days to the rhythm of cadenced songs and verses satirizing the country's politics and social reality.
The carnival ends with the "Coso", parade of floats and the funeral of the sardine.
The fish, which represents the spirit of the celebrations, is carried through the streets in a carriage.
He is then burned as his chaperones weep around him.
But that's not the end of the festivities because the following weekend is honored "Piñata Chica" through a new series of shows, popular balls and parades.
Read alsoWhen to go to the Canary Islands?
Climate, weather, sites… The best period island by island
The carnival of Gran Canaria, parody songs, glitter and drag queen
At the end of a gala is elected the drag-queen of the Islas Canarias carnival
Dates 2023: from February 10 to March 5
The island of Gran Canaria hosts one of the oldest parties in the archipelago every year.
Celebrated since 1547 (at the time, in the form of a masked and costumed ball), the carnival of Gran Canaria has been classified as a festival of national tourist interest.
As in Tenerife, Gran Canaria elects its Festival Queen.
Then resound on the island the songs of music groups and the sound of feet hitting the ground to the rhythm of traditional dances.
Also rise the songs of the "murgas", these groups with satirical music accompanied by percussion.
The Queen of the festival is not the only one to be the subject of a competition: the best murgas is also elected.
Another characteristic event of the Gran Canaria festivities is the election of the carnival drag queen, which follows the Drag-Queen Gala.
A touch of modernity in this traditional carnival.
Read alsoWhen to go to the Canary Islands?
Climate, weather, sites… The best period island by island
The carnival of La Palma, all in white
In La Palma, the return of emigrants is commemorated by dressing in white and throwing talcum powder at each other.
Canary Islands
Dates 2023: from February 16 to 26
Contrary to the colorful festivities of the other Canary Islands, go to the island of La Palma for a festival all in white!
From February 16 to 26, the "Fiesta de Los Indianos" ("Indian Festival") is held on what is nicknamed "La Isla bonita" because of its beauty.
During the event, the streets are covered with talcum powder and the participants dress in white from head to toe to dance to the rhythm of guarachas and guajiras.
After the parade through the capital Santa Cruz, the authorities give a speech in front of City Hall.
The songs and dances can then resume, accompanied by many celebrations, from the "Fiesta de la Peluca" ("Festival of the wig") to the "Desfile de los Embajadores" ("Parade of the ambassadors" and Great Personalities), passing through comedy shows.
The festivities stretch over several days until the "Piñata Weekend", the last opportunity to parade in costume.
Finally, on February 25 and 26, the children's carnival puts an end to the island's festivities.
Read alsoOur selection of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands
Behind this program, it is the return of emigrants that is commemorated.
The inhabitants of La Palma who left to make their fortune in Central and South America, and who returned to the country covered with wealth, are particularly honored through the costumes of the revelers.
The white worn by the participants refers to the immaculate costumes worn by those who docked at the port of Santa Cruz.
What about talc?
This would be a nod to the sacks of flour then unloaded from the boats.
The carnival of Lanzarote, scary devils
Dates 2023: from February 13 to 22
One of the oldest carnivals in the Canary Islands, but one of the least known, is held on the island of Lanzarote.
There are many celebrations in the volcanic "black pearl" of the Canary Islands.
But those of Arrecife, capital of the island, with its parades to the rhythm of the batucada (very rhythmic music), are certainly stunning.
Not far from there, further inland, in Teguise, you can come across many "Diabletes de Teguise" (the "little devils of Teguise").
In white pants and tank tops with red and black diamonds, the participants also wear leather straps.
They proudly wear masks with two horns on them.
A stick and a bag complete this scary disguise.
These devils have their origins in the ritual dances of the mahos, the first Guanche indigenous peoples of Lanzarote.
These dances could celebrate the harvest as well as be used during competitions.
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The carnival of Fuerteventura: crazy people at the wheel
Dates 2023: March 23 to 26
The carnival of Fuerteventura has a particularity: each of the municipalities celebrating it chooses its own theme.
You are therefore spoiled for choice since the atmospheres and costumes will be varied on what is nicknamed the desert pearl of the Canary Islands.
In the north of the island, the carnival of Puerto del Rosario will delight young and old between March 23 and 26.
After the dances, songs and various competitions, it's time for the "achipencos" regatta, these boats made from mostly recycled materials, floating somehow in the bay of the city.
Please note that boats cannot be made from real boat materials under any circumstances – even surfboards are prohibited.
For the propulsion system, it's the elbow grease that is mobilized.
Another race, on land this time, planned: that of the "arretrancos", these rolling vehicles with varied themes and bright colors.
Attention: if you want to make your own "arretranco", plan a good braking system, a device to change direction and protections (helmet,
etc
).
Indeed, these small vehicles are propelled at full speed thanks to the inclination of the streets of Puerto del Rosario.
Still in the north of Fuerteventura, the town of La Oliva organizes, between March 2 and 12, the carnival of Corralejo – the largest town in the town.
In addition to the elections of adult and child carnival queens, the carnival drag queen is designated.
Tradition that began a year after the gala of the drag queen of La Palma.
In the south of the island, the municipality of La Pajara celebrates its carnival in four towns: Morro Jable, Costa Calma, La Lajita and its capital Pajara.
Many other towns such as Caleta de Fuste, Gran Tarajal, Tetir or Betancuria also have their own carnivals, with their own characteristics.
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The carnival of El Hierro: run away from the rams
The “Fiesta de los Carneros”.
Tourism experiences
Dates 2023: from February 17 to 22
The devils of Teguise aren't scary enough for you?
Come to El Hierro for a carnival rich in emotions between February 17 and 22.
On February 19 and 21, the “Fiesta de los Carneros” (Festival of the Rams) will be held, which brings together hundreds of men dressed in ram skins.
The parts of their bodies still visible (face, legs and arms in particular) are covered with black dye.
Unleashed in the streets, they run to catch anyone who gets in their way.
The goal ?
Coat the faces of as many people as possible with black.
Two other characters join the chase: a shepherd and the one nicknamed "El Loco", who screeches.
The tradition dates back to the Spanish Civil War.
This custom has almost been lost over the centuries.
It was Benito Padrón Gutiérrez, a resident of Frontera, who would have managed to maintain it by transmitting it to as many young people as possible as he grew older.
Successfully, then.
In his honor was born Benito Padrón Square in the village of Tigaday.
Read alsoThe Canary Islands, large format landscapes
La Gomera and its talc battle
Dates 2023: February 10-16 (San Sebastian); from March 3 to 11 (Valle Gran Rey)
On the island of La Gomera, carnival is mainly held in the capital, San Sebastian, between February 10 and 26, and in Valle Gran Rey between March 3 and 11.
One of the most anticipated events of the festival of what is nicknamed the magical island of the Canaries is the “Día de los Polvos de Talco y Añil” (“Indigo Powder and Talc Day”).
The celebration takes over the carnival of La Palma: the inhabitants dress in white and throw talc on each other.
There too are elected two queens, an adult and a child.
And, again, the “enterrio de la Sardina” takes place, the burial of the sardine, which marks the end of the festivities.
It follows the equally highly anticipated 'Gran Coso', the apotheosis of the carnival, during which a gigantic parade is held.
