Carnival in Tenerife
Tenerife is known for beautiful vistas, great nightspots and luxurious
resorts but you can't say you know Tenerife until you've been there for
Carnival.
This riotous festival is world-famous for its exuberance and
wildness and lasts for upto three weeks. It is only beated by Rio de Janeiro as
the top world destination for celebrating Carnaval. If you are in the
Canary Islands in February, and aren't afraid of a fiendishly good time, head to
Santa Cruz de Tenerife for one of the hemisphere's biggest celebrations.
Those who participate in Tenerife's Carnival take it very seriously; some
businesses cut back hours or even close while the festival is going on. The
dazzling costumes and endless dancing are part of the spectacle, and you should
definitely consider going in costume, because you might feel a bit out of place
in normal clothing. As much fun as the parades and street entertainments are to
watch, it's much more fun to join in. Go in drag or as your favourite cartoon
character. Don't be worried about being too flamboyant; with a strong emphasis
on cross-dressing and every person trying to outdo the next, you have nothing to
worry about.
No matter when you join in, you'll find lots to do, but there are a few events
you should definitely keep an eye out for. Purchase your tickets as early as you
can as they tend to go fast. The first real spectacle of the week is the Gala
Reina, the selection of the Carnival Queens. While the girls are lovely, the
main emphasis is on the costume ... it's easy to miss the contestant under the
feathers, beads and satin!
There are smaller, though no less extravagant
competitions for the children's Carnival Queen and for a seniors' Carnival
Queen. For a more performance-oriented show, try to hit the Drag Queen of
Carnival competition. This can be considered the most popular event, with each
contestant vying for the audience's attention and applause.
If you can't get tickets to any of the competitions, head to one of the
'Mogollones'. These open-air Carnival parties feature live entertainment and Latin
and Salsa music. With tens of thousands of attendees, this will be one of the
wildest parties you've ever attended. You can dance from eleven until dawn if
you want, just don't expect it to be quiet! Roaming the streets of Carnival,
you'll run into everything from clay pigeon shoots to vintage car shows.
Everyone has their own idea of what a party should be and they're eager to share
it with you.
After the competitions finish up, you can watch the 'Cabalgata', the Grand Parade
from the terraces. The winners of the competitions mount floats that are every
bit as extravagant as their costumes and they're joined by dance troupes that
have rehearsed for months. If you've come unprepared and if
need a costume in a hurry, you'll always find plenty stands selling masks and wigs.
The Tenerife Carnival is concluded with the Burial of the Sardine (El Entierro
de la Sardina) when a
thirty-foot paper mache fish get taken through the streets of Santa Cruz while
being mourned by male "widows" in miniskirts and fishnets. The burial
of the sardine is a custom celebrated because, as in hunting, there is a time
when one should not hunt, and therefore a time when one should not catch
sardines. The sardine prohibition comes at the worst time because as Catholics
cannot eat meat during Lent they are denied a good source of food. Hence the
mourning! The Burial of the
Sardine marks the end of the Carnival and as you head home, while you might be a
little tired of the non-stop partying, you'll probably planning for your return
next year! Although Carnival is celebrated most vehemently in Santa Cruz de
Tenerife, it is actually celebrated in every town and village throughout
Tenerife. Of the island's main holiday resorts it is Puerto de la Cruz on the
north coast where you'll find the biggest celebrations.
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