: Carnaval in Tenerife 2012

Carnaval in Tenerife 2012

Find your inner hippy and party

Still got a kaftan tucked away in the loft? Maybe you have a curly long wig from yesteryear? Or if not, just pop a flower in your hair and get ready to party at the world’s second biggest carnival after Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

Picture Credit: StarObs

Guests heading to Club La Costa World’s Tenerife resorts in February should think about packing some fancy dress and this year take part in one of the greatest street parties of the world, instead of just being a spectator. The theme for Carnaval 2012 in Santa Cruz is Flower Power: the 60s – plenty of scope to let out your inner hippy.

The streets are the scene of non-stop action, flooded with musicians and dancers, fabulously decorated floats and glorious costumes. Some key dates to watch out for are: Friday February 17th, the 7pm Carnival Parade and fireworks and Wednesday February 22nd, the Burial of the Sardine – a celebration associated with the end of carnival except here in Tenerife where there is a final weekend. On Sunday February 26th (last day), there is the annual Vintage Car exhibition in Plaza de Las Iglesias followed by a parade through the town, and a fantastic firework display in the evening.

Picture Credit: StarObs

Throughout the period there’s music and dancing in the main plazas and mini-parades each evening, plus the murgas competition – the singing groups who use witty lyrics to puncture the pomposity of well-known figures and politicians.

Santa Cruz may be the biggest Carnaval after Rio, but carnival fever infects every part of the Canary Islands and Spain.

Puerto de la Cruz has its own carnival highlight in the shape of the hugely popular High Heels Drag Marathon, which each year draws thousands of spectators. Heels are carefully measured to make sure they are high enough, costumes are grand and definitely more of a hindrance than a help as the competitors totter as swiftly as they can around the obstacle course. This year keen observers of the event will make their way to Puerto de la Cruz on February 24th.

And visitors to CLC World’s Costa del Sol resorts won’t be left out of the fun. In Malaga the grand carnival procession takes place on Sunday February 12th, and the streets of the city will come alive each evening from 6pm as masked revellers, bands and dancers throng through the historic old town.

The Burial of the Sardine, a Spanish ceremony representing a farewell to excess and the onset of Lent, marks the last day of Malaga’s carnival and takes place on Sunday February 19th. A parade of “mourners” dressed in black follow the model fish at each carnival and wail and keen until the fish is finally metaphorically buried.

Carnaval – proof positive that the Spanish know how to party!