Tenerife witnessed a spectacular turnout as over 400,000 revellers filled the streets of Santa Cruz to celebrate the final night of this year’s carnival, themed 'The Secrets of Africa'. Despite an overcast sky and intermittent showers, carnival-goers defied the weather to enjoy a Saturday filled with vibrant music, dancing, and joy.
The grand finale of this year's carnival kicked off at midday yesterday, Saturday, and continued into the early hours of this morning. The city came alive with music, as renowned international artists took to the stage in a marathon of live performances. The Santa Cruz City Council pulled out all the stops, ensuring an unforgettable experience with over 18 hours of continuous music and entertainment.
The main stage on Avenida Francisco La Roche drew massive crowds from as early as 3:30pm, with an energetic performance by international star Milly Quezada, followed by Fabrizzio Salgado. The excitement continued with the much-anticipated performance by Tito Nieves at 5:30pm, whose set lasted for an hour and a half before passing the mic to local favourite Pepe Benavente. Wilfrido Vargas brought his signature Latin beats to the stage at 7:30pm, and Renzzo El Selector kept the rhythm going as the evening progressed.
As night fell, the Avenida de Anaga hosted the charismatic Puerto Rican singer Elvis Crespo, who delighted fans with hits such as Suavemente and Píntame until 11:00pm. The Argentine band Ráfaga took over the stage shortly after 11:30pm, captivating the crowd with their popular cumbia tracks. The party continued into the early hours with The Rave Kulture and performances by DJ Jonay, Rozalia, and Baby D.
Meanwhile, the Plaza de La Candelaria showcased a different array of talent, including Arodi Llanos, who performed the official song of the 2025 Carnival. He was followed by the vibrant Carnaboom Latino show, featuring Soraya, Pepe Benavente, K-Narias, Jadel, Natalia (of Operación Triunfo fame), and Ray Castellano. The night also included performances by a series of orchestras, including Tímbara, Orquesta Acapulco, The Boys Machine, Revelación, Generación, and Sonora Olimpya.
Over at the Plaza del Príncipe, music lovers enjoyed performances by Orquesta Columbia, Orquesta Maraury, Orquesta Corinto, and Orquesta Acapulco, adding another layer of sound and celebration to the citywide party.
One of the highlights of this year's Carnival was the new addition to the programme, De La Habana a La Noria. Organised by the Centro Ifara district and the Autonomous Festival Organisation, this initiative brought Cuban rhythms to life with performances by Rumba Manigua, Sabor a Son, Los Trovadores de Cuba, and Clave de Son.
With the 18-hour music marathon concluded, Santa Cruz is now gearing up for today's Domingo de Piñata (Piñata Sunday). The festivities will continue with carnival groups and artists taking over the streets, culminating in the announcement of the theme for the 2026 Carnival. The day will also feature the second edition of the Carnaval Senior and the traditional fireworks display.
The 2026 Carnival theme will be revealed by Santa Cruz's mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, during an event at the Plaza de La Candelaria. The public has been voting on four thematic choices since 22nd February, selecting between Latin rhythms, Hollywood glamour, mystical myths and legends, or the vibrant world of Asian pop culture. The council introduced a robust voting system on the official website to ensure fairness, allowing only one vote per IP address.
For the Councillor of Festivities, Javier Caraballero, the public vote represents "the first step for every true carnival-goer" in preparing for the next edition of this iconic event.
As the 2025 Carnival draws to a close, Santa Cruz de Tenerife once again proves itself as a global capital of celebration, leaving residents and visitors alike eagerly anticipating what next year’s festivities will bring.
