Event Dates
From: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
To: Sunday, March 2, 2025
Carnival is the best time to experience the pink nightlife in Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz.
Carnival is the best time to experience the pink nightlife in Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz. The city hosts one of the biggest Carnival parties in Europe. The theme for 2025 is “Secrets of Africa”, so expect a lot of themed floats, costumes and performances.
- Visiting Tenerife for Carnival? Book your stay early! The AC Hotel is rated “Fabulous” and is just a short trip to the parties and the beaches. The hotel has a rooftop pool, fully equipped gym and stylish designer rooms.
The Gay Parties
- Gay visitors to Carnival in Santa Cruz can enjoy a dedicated LGBT+ zone located in Plaza de San Francisco is the with the support of the island’s LGBT association, Algarabía
- The gay events are typically held on the last 10 days of the carnival celebrations.
Plaza San Francisco
- Plaza de San Francisco is the hub of the gay carnival, where everyone’s visible, under makeup, sequins and wigs!
- Drinks are reasonably priced and the organisers host a fun event with camp music and several artists and performances.
- Events run for 10 days and nights.
La Alameda de la Libertad
- The Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena will host a safe space for the LGBTIQ+ community during the Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnivals.
- It is a space that has been presented under the slogan ‘La Alameda de la Libertad‘ and that once again has the organization of Global Canarias Events together with Clandestina nightclub and the Hoy me Otro Penca party.
- The square will feature bars, kiosks, food trucks and live performances.
Gay Bars Hosting Events
- Popular gay bars in Santa Cruz include, Heroes Bar for great cocktails, The Boss for cruising and Clandestina for Drag Shows and DJs.
- García Sanabria Park becomes a popular cruising area on carnival nights.
- Stay in the heart of Santa Cruz, just steps from the bars and restaurants at the Urban Anaga Hotel, featuring spacious designer rooms, highly-rated breakfasts and an excellent location.
Santa Cruz Carnival – Schedule of Events
- Wednesday 26th February 2025 – Election of the Carnival Queen, 21:30 at the Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos.
- Friday 28th February 2025 – Opening Parade, 20:00 – Starting at la plaza de la República Dominicana, ending at La Marina and la Avenida Francisco La Roche.
- Wednesday 26h February 2025 – Burial of the Sardine, 22:00 – at la avenida Marítima.
- Saturday 1st March 2025 – Daytime Carnival, 13:00 – Plaza del Príncipe, Ron Barceló-Plaza de La Candelaria and Avenida Francisco La Roche
- Sunday 2nd March 2025 – Parade of Vintage Cars, 12:00 – Francis La Roche Avenue, followed by the ending party – Prince’s Square 5:00 p.m. Grand End of Carnival Party 2024 with a spectacular firework display.
- You can pre-purchase tickets for these events in advance.
The Main Parade
- Tuesday 25th February 2025 – Rhythm, colour, flamboyance, luxury and of course the most brilliant spectacle are the fundamental ingredients for this Carnival.
- The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is the most “Brazilian” of all the Spanish carnivals. After all, Santa Cruz is the twin city of Rio de Janeiro.
- The highlight of the carnival is the main parade, el Coso, which takes place on the last Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday) of the event.
- Events kick off at 11:00 at Plaza del Príncipe and continue at 20:00 at the Ron Barceló Stage in the Plaza de La Candelaria.
Hotels close to the gay area in Santa Cruz
Stay close to the action in the centre of Santa Cruz by choosing one of these highly rated hotels:
Iberostar Heritage, Hotel Taburiente, Urban Anaga, Hotel Colon Rambla.
Find the best Tenerife hotel
Book now and Pay on arrival.
Iberostar Heritage is our editors choice
when we attend this event in Tenerife
For further information and advice on
Carnival in Santa Cruz visit The Website
Tenerife has a number of gay bars, clubs and saunas. In southwest Tenerife, the gay bars are concentrated in the Playa de las Americas. In the northeast, you’ll find gay venues in Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna (the university town) and Santa Cruz (the capital city).
Calle Dr. Jose Naveiras, 38, 38004 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
This stylish, urban hotel with a spa is located in a colonial-style building. Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey offers spacious rooms equipped with a flat-screen TV. Free high speed WiFi is available throughout.
Iberostar’s smart rooms feature hardwood floors and a modern décor. In-room amenities include satellite TV and a mini bar. Some rooms have a balcony with city views and a private bathroom including a bathrobe, slippers and a hairdryer.
Calle Dr. Jose Naveiras, 24A, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
This chic urban hotel is next to García Sanabria Park, in the centre of Tenerife’s
. It offers a gym, and with park and Atlantic Ocean views.The Taburiente Hotel's stylish, air-conditioned rooms have a TV and a safe. They feature wooden floors and have a private bathroom and
.Hotel Taburiente has 2 smart restaurants, serving Spanish dishes. There is a fashionable lounge bar with a glass-walled terrace.
Calle Imeldo Serís, 19, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Set in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 550 m from Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Hotel Urban Anaga offers accommodation with a restaurant, a fitness centre and a bar. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has newspapers and a fax machine and photocopier that guests can use.
The units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel all rooms are equipped with a wardrobe and a private bathroom.
Calle Viera y Clavijo, 49, 38004 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Located in the heart of Tenerife's
, this elegant hotel features free Wi-Fi and has an outdoor pool and charming gardens.The
is fronted by an impressive glass wall which continues around to the garden and outdoor terrace. From the interiors, you can enjoy the pleasant views over the Ramblas, which the hotel faces.Air-conditioned rooms have a plasma satellite TV, a minibar and a pillow menu. Non-smoking rooms and a laundry service are available.
Calle Bethencourt Alfonso, 29, 38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Apto Drago features 2 bedrooms, a living room with a TV, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided. Free WiFi and air conditioning.
Calle Imeldo Serís, 8, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Monkey house offers accommodation with a full kitchen The apartment includes 3 bedrooms, a living room, and 2 bathrooms with free toiletries and a shower. A living room with a flat-screen TV with cable channels is offered.
Calle el Pilar, 2, 38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Duplex penthouse in the heart of the city, on the 7th floor of an emblematic building in the city with impressive views of the sea and the skyline of the coast offering 3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen & bathroom with shower
Calle Candelaria, 7, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Casa Emblemática Topacio is set in a 100-year old building, this air conditioned accommodation offers a living area with a TV. There is a full kitchen with a dishwasher, a furnished terrace with BBQ, free WiFi and parking.
Av. Tres de Mayo, 71, Local 13, 38004 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
A gay men's cruising bar always busy and lots of fun
Av. la Salle, 11, 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Busy gay dico bar always full and lots of fun with regular shows
Calle Candelaria, 8, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Fun gay bar offering themed nights and DJs
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We have chosen hotels in Santa Cruz that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Tenerife Carnival is one of the largest carnivals to take place in Europe