Get out your mini-skirts and white boots, your hippy hair-bands, flares and psychedelic shirts! The 2012 Santa Cruz Carnival is already in full swing and it’s going to get louder, more colourful and even greater fun

Cost-cutting has failed to dent this annual spectacular which epitomizes everything about Carnival on Tenerife. You simply let your hair down and go with the flow, words which reflect this year’s theme of “Flower Power”.

Supporters have already been stunned by the colourful and ingenious costumes of the 1960s with the brightest of colours in abundance. The hippy era is back in style in Santa Cruz and you can be part of it in the fortnight to come.

As Mayor, José Manuel Bermudez says: “The Carnival is always spontaneous, noisy and colourful and for 2012, returns to its past.”

The Santa Cruz Carnival is admired the world over and is second only to the famous Rio Carnival. You will be totally amazed by the costumes and floats which are simply incredible. Organisers chose the theme of “Flower Power” because they felt this could more easily adapt to budget restraints.

The Carnival programme has already swung into action but the main events are yet to come, see below.

Remember, if you are planning a visit to Santa Cruz for the Carnival, leave yourself plenty of time as parking is very difficult and roads will be closed. You are best leaving your car on the outskirts and catching a bus, tram or taxi in. Similarly, even though you won’t want to spoil your 60s costume, take something very warm as the temperature can drop sharply at night and pack a waterproof coat or jacket just in case.

 

Programme of events

Wednesday, February 15th. 9.30pm. Election of the Carnival Queen, International Trade Fair and Congress Centre.

 

Thursday, February 16th. Operetta concert, 8.30pm, Guimerá Theatre.

 

Friday, February 17th. Carnival Opening procession from 8pm, leaving from la Plaza de la República Dominicana and then along la Avenida de la Asunción, Ramón and Cajal, Galcerán, Plaza Weyler, Méndez Núñez, Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina and ending in la Avenida Francisco La Roche. At 9pm Decorated floats, carts and car competition. 10pm. Dance and disco in Plazas de La Candelaria and Principe and Festival Vértigo in Plaza de Europa.

 

Saturday, February 18th. 5pm. Performances by Carnival groups at Campo Castro (Calle La Noria) and plazas del Príncipe, Europa and La Candelaria. From 8pm, Carnival groups, Avenida de Francisco La Roche. 11pm, dance and Djs and Festival Vértigo as above.

 

Sunday, February 19th. Performance by Ni Fu Ni Fa at 11am in Plaza del Principe. Noon , musical band performance, Plaza del Principe. From 1pm Top 40 Carnival Day. 6pm, live music and samba, Avenida Maritima. 5.30pm. Carnival groups Campo Castro (Calle La Noria) and plazas del Príncipe, Europa and La Candelaria. 11pm dance and Djs in Plaza de La Candelaria and Festival Vértigo in Plaza de Europa.

 

Monday, February 20th. 5pm, Carnival groups in location as above. 11pm. Dance and Djs as above.

 

Tuesday, February 21st. Ni Fu Ni Fa performance at 11am in Plaza del Principe. Performance by Los Fregolinos at noon, same location. MAIN CARNIVAL COSO begins at 4pm in Avenidas de Francisco La Roche and Marítima. Fireworks at 8pm and from 11pm, dance and DJs in Plaza de la Candelaria.

Wednesday, February 22nd. Burial of the Sardine ceremony from 9pm, through calle Juan Pablo II, Méndez Núñez, Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina and ending Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena, Avenida Francisco La Roche, followed by fireworks and at 11pm. dance and DJs and Festival Vertigo in Plaza de Europa.

 

Thursday, February 23rd. 8,30pm, Rondallas Festival, Guimerá Theatre.

Friday, February 24th. Song contest, Guimerá Theatre from 9pm. 11pm, dance and DJs in Plaza de La Candelaria and Principe and Féstival Vertigo in Plaza de Europa.

 

Saturday, February 25th. Carnival Day from 1pm. From 6pm, Children’s Carnival  in Avenidas de Francisco La Roche and Marítima. From 6.30pm, performance by Carnival groups in plazas Principe and La Candelaria. 11pm, dance and DJs in plazas Principe and La Candelaria and Festival Vértigo in Plaza del Europa.

 

Sunday, February 26th. 10am Classic car competition in Parque García Sanabria, leaving at noon for tour around the city. Static exhibition of classic cars from 10am in Avenida Francisco La Roche and Cuartel de Almeyda. At 11am, performance by Ni Fu Ni Fa in Plaza del Principe. Noon, band performance in Principe. From 5pm, Grand fiesta close of the Carnival. From 5.30pm, performances by Carnival groups in Campo Castro (Calle La Noria) and plazas del Príncipe, Europa and La Candelaria. 9.30pm, grand firework display in Plaza de España.

 

Please be advised that if travelling to Santa Cruz, check if possible all events, times and locations on www.carnavaltenerife.es where you will find the full programme (note for our readers, carnaval is the correct spelling in Spanish).