Tenerife's Carnival

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The most massive, worldwide famous and colorful party of Tenerife is the Carnival. This dramatic and colorful festival, is organized every year for thousands of tourists and locals with one goal: fun.Murgas with members of painted faces and musical instruments made of reed and cardboard, delightful floats, beautiful queens, noisy processions and parades of elegant and colorful costumes, come together in this endless spree, held every February (or even March) and has acquired such importance which was declared Touristical Interest by the Secretary of State for Tourism of Tenerife.

The main feature of the Carnival of Tenerife is that it is a street party: the "Mogollon" are outdoor parties, in the street, meet thousands of people, many of them disguised, who dance to Latin music . Do not hesitate to participate: the climate is gentle and no doubt safe enough despite the crowd.

A tip: to participate fully, it is best to dress up with an unique custome. If you forgot to put in the bag a good costume, you can buy carnival items in shops, stores and bazaars in the streets del Castillo and Rambla Pulido. Although is not necessary to spend too much: just a comfortable shoe for dancing, walking and jumping and three or four details that carried with grace and imagination, enable you to get lost among the multitude of costumes on the street and join the party.

In addition to the street carnival, there is a more "official" Carnival that includes parades, shows and events more "formal" as the Carnival Queen election Gala or the Drag Queen election Gala, competitions of street bands with their songs and fine criticism irony, street musicians who perform opera, and comparsas (troupes) and musical groups.

A feature of the Carnival is that it is created a new poster for each edition. Great artists have made their contribution and even competitions have been held open for everyone to participate.

Since 1987, the party is thematized and every year a different theme i selected so sets and costumes turn around thies central theme: Rome, The Thousand and One Nights, Pirates, Cinema, Circus or Fashion have been some of the topics chosen .

What is the schedule of events repeated every year?

In September or October will be chosen the theme for the next year's Carnival and the poster that will represent it.

The Event of the Choice of Carnival's Queen, is celebrated on the Wednesday before the week of Carnival, once the previous contests have finished (adult and child murgas, rondallas (street musicians), comparsas (troupes) and musical groups). During the election of the Queen, the candidates parade in costumes of feathers and gems that can weigh over 100 kg, and require wheels to move them.

The previous Friday, it is proclaimed the arrival of the Carnival with the Cabalgata Anunciadora, a procession where murgas, rondallas and bands parade through the town announcing the arrival of the carnival, accompanying the Queen and her maids of honor. When the parade ends at the Plaza de Europa or the Cabildo (council), the festival begins where most people are dancing: on the street.

On Saturday, is the Carnival dance party: the main sites, if you want to join, is the Plaza de la Candelaria, Plaza del Principe and the streets of Villalba Hervás and Bethencourt Alfonso.

Monday and Tuesday, there are parties, dancing, parades and shows in main stages, besides the Coso, the grand cavalcade on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Burial of the Sardine is celebrated. It is a quaint ritual where they walk the streets of Santa Cruz, carrying a huge cardboard sardine and rags with a long procession of mourners, pregnant men and widows! among desperate weepings and cries until, finally, proceed tothe burning of the sardine.All of them, of course, dressed in mourning.

Saturday and Sunday of Piñata - last days of festivities, musical performances, traditional performance of the Ni Fu Ni Fa Afilarmónica and fireworks on Sunday, as the end point of the Carnival.

Some additional tips to avoid mishaps:

If you go with children, a good option is to put a very striking costume, enabling them to have them always in sight, especially when they are in mass celebrations in the street.

Do not forget your camera: original costumes abound in every parade or dance and you will want to show to your friends when you return home.

Bring warm clothes, February is still very fresh in Tenerife and since you lost yourself for hours on parties, shows and parades, always carry a medium coat to withstand the cold, especially at night.

With all this information and tips, we wish you a nice holiday in the next carnival.

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