Festivals in Tenerife: Your ultimate guide to colorful celebrations

Fiesta de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day)

Forget Christmas being the main event. In Tenerife, the gift-giving star is January 6th, when the Three Kings arrive to parade through Santa Cruz, handing out sweets and waving to cheering crowds. Think Christmas… but with camels.

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

If festivals in Tenerife had a crown jewel, this is it. Santa Cruz Carnival is often called the second biggest carnival in the world (after Rio). Expect feathered costumes, samba dancers, live music, floats, confetti storms, face glitter, and afterparties that last until sunrise.

The schedule changes each year, but it always ends with the symbolic funeral of the sardine, a hilarious, theatrical, slightly bizarre ceremony that locals adore.

Fiesta de San José

A quieter celebration after the carnival chaos, this festival honors Saint Joseph with street fairs, food stalls, children’s events, and traditional Canarian music.

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Religion meets theatrics as processions wind through historic towns like La Laguna and La Orotava. It's solemn, beautiful, emotional, and a fascinating window into Canary Island culture.

Fiestas de la Cruz (Festival of the Crosses)

Entire neighborhoods decorate enormous crosses with flowers, fruit, and intricate designs. In Puerto de la Cruz, expect fireworks over the water, a local favorite.

Corpus Christi Flower Carpets

In La Orotava, the streets transform into jaw-dropping floral carpets. These temporary artworks are crafted from petals, volcanic sand, and natural pigments, and they’re so impressive that they’ve become one of the most iconic Tenerife festivals.

Fiesta del Carmen

A maritime procession celebrates the Virgin of Carmen, protector of fishermen. Boats are decorated, the Virgin is carried to sea, fireworks crackle across the sky, and the coastline becomes one big beach party.

Romería de San Roque

Probably the most delicious traditional festival in Tenerife. Locals dress in folk costumes, parade with carts overflowing with Canarian food, and yes, generous strangers may hand you free wine and grilled meat along the way. Tourist tip: Say yes.

Fiesta del Cristo de La Laguna

Held in La Laguna, this celebration blends religion, fireworks, markets, and outdoor concerts, a balanced mix of spiritual tradition and evening revelry.

Festival Internacional de Música de Canarias

One for classical music lovers. Orchestras and soloists from around Europe perform world-class concerts in Tenerife’s stunning venues, including the iconic Auditorio de Tenerife.

San Andrés

In Puerto de la Cruz, kids slide down steep streets on wooden boards while locals taste freshly opened local blends. Yes, it’s as chaotic and brilliant as it sounds.

Christmas & New Year’s Eve

Tenerife may be warm in winter, but expect lights, concerts, nativity displays, markets, and a huge New Year’s Eve celebration where everyone eats 12 grapes at midnight for luck.