Canary Islands Carnival Dates 2026: The Main Parade Days Tourists Actually Need

Main Carnival parade dates by island and resort

Lanzarote

• Carnival dates Arrecife (Main Parade / Gran Coso): Monday 16 February 2026 (theme: Children’s TV personalities from the 80s and 90s).
• Carnival dates Puerto del Carmen (Main Parade / Gran Coso): Saturday 21 February 2026 (theme: The Roaring 1920s).
• Carnival dates Costa Teguise (Main Parade / Gran Coso): Saturday 7 March 2026 (theme: Mexico). This sits inside the official Costa Teguise Carnival week (2 to 8 March). Final route and time normally appear in the full programme.
• Carnival dates Playa Blanca (Main Parade / Gran Coso): Saturday 14 March 2026 (theme: Gods of Olympia). The town’s Carnival runs 12 to 15 March, with the detailed parade info typically confirmed in the full programme.

Tenerife

• Carnival dates Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Main Parade / Coso Apoteosis): Tuesday 17 February 2026 (theme: Latin Vibes).
• Carnival dates Los Cristianos and Arona (Main Parade / Gran Coso): Sunday 15 March 2026 (theme: Space).

Gran Canaria

• Carnival dates Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Main Parade / Gran Cabalgata): Saturday 28 February 2026 (theme: Las Vegas).
• Carnival dates Maspalomas (Main Parade / Gran Cabalgata): Saturday 21 March 2026 (theme: Circus).

Fuerteventura

• Carnival dates Caleta de Fuste (main Carnival weekend): ends Saturday 14 February 2026.
• Carnival dates Corralejo (Carnival period): 5 to 15 March 2026. Main parade day is usually inside that window, and tends to be one of the busiest days of the whole resort.

What Canary Islands Carnival actually is (and why it runs for weeks)

Carnival here is not just “one weekend”. It’s a whole season of street parties, music, costumes, competitions, and big community build up. Traditionally it sits in the weeks leading into Lent, so it has that classic “last big blowout before the serious bit” energy.

Why Carnival feels like it lasts a month

• Every municipality runs its own Carnival dates, so events are staggered across the island. One town is peaking while another is just getting started.
• The big parades (Coso or Cabalgata) are the headline events, but they’re wrapped by loads of other stuff: gala nights, children’s events, daytime parties, and local tradition.
• Many Canarian carnivals also finish with things like the “Burial of the Sardine”, a playful ending ceremony that marks Carnival closing.

And just to underline how serious Tenerife takes it, the Carnival in Santa Cruz has major international recognition and pulls massive crowds year after year.

Lanzarote Carnival dates 2026: parade days by resort

Lanzarote is perfect for tourists because the biggest parade days are spread across the island, meaning you can catch one even if you miss another.

Carnival dates in Arrecife

If you want the capital’s biggest street day, Monday 16 February 2026 is the one. That’s the Gran Coso, with floats, groups, and the most “proper” Carnival atmosphere on the island. Theme is children’s TV personalities from the 80s and 90s, so expect a lot of nostalgia costumes.

Carnival dates in Puerto del Carmen

The main parade tourists look for here is the Gran Coso on Saturday 21 February 2026, running along Avenida de las Playas. Theme is the 1920s, so think Gatsby vibes, feathers, pearls, and old school glam.

Carnival dates in Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise Carnival runs 2 to 8 March 2026, and the theme is Mexico. The big parade day being shared locally is Saturday 7 March 2026, which makes sense as the peak Saturday of that Carnival week. If you’re planning around it, treat 7 March as your target day, and check the final official route and time once the programme drops.

Carnival dates in Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca’s Carnival runs 12 to 15 March 2026 and the theme is Gods of Olympia. The main parade date being circulated is Saturday 14 March 2026, with the full schedule usually confirmed closer to the event. If you’re booking days off work or planning travel, aim for the Saturday.

Tenerife Carnival dates 2026: parade days tourists search for most

Carnival dates in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

This is the big one. The main parade is the Coso Apoteosis on Tuesday 17 February 2026. Theme: Latin Vibes. If you only do one Tenerife Carnival day, do that one.

Carnival dates in Los Cristianos and Arona

If you’re staying in the south and you want the big local parade without going up to Santa Cruz, the main event is the Gran Coso on Sunday 15 March 2026. Theme is Space, and the whole Carnival runs 5 to 16 March.

Gran Canaria Carnival dates 2026: parade days by resort

Carnival dates in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The big parade is the Gran Cabalgata on Saturday 28 February 2026. Theme is Las Vegas, so it’s basically built for over the top outfits.

Carnival dates in Maspalomas

Maspalomas is later, which is handy if your holiday is in March. The main parade is the Gran Cabalgata on Saturday 21 March 2026, and the theme is Circus.

Fuerteventura Carnival dates 2026: what’s confirmed so far

Carnival dates in Caleta de Fuste

Caleta de Fuste’s Carnival is set around the second weekend of February, with the dates pointing to the weekend ending Saturday 14 February 2026.

Carnival dates in Corralejo

Corralejo’s Carnival window is confirmed as 5 to 15 March 2026. If you’re visiting inside those dates, you’re in the right place, and you’ll feel it in the resort even on the “non parade” days.

Quick planning tips for tourists (so you don’t overthink it)

• If you only want the main parade, show up mid afternoon, pick a spot, and stay put. The parade routes get busy and taxis can be slow.
• Bring something simple for costumes. Even a cheap wig, mask, or glitter makes you feel part of it.
• Expect road closures around the parade hours, especially in Puerto del Carmen, Arrecife, Las Palmas, and Santa Cruz.
• Double check the final timings the week before, because weather and logistics can shift start times even when the date stays the same.

FAQ: what people are searching for right now

What are the Carnival dates in Lanzarote 2026?

The headline parade dates are Arrecife 16 February, Puerto del Carmen 21 February, Costa Teguise 7 March, Playa Blanca 14 March.

What date is the main Carnival parade in Puerto del Carmen?

Saturday 21 February 2026 (Gran Coso Carnavalero).

What date is the main Carnival parade in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

Tuesday 17 February 2026 (Coso Apoteosis).

What date is the main Carnival parade in Los Cristianos?

Sunday 15 March 2026 (Gran Coso Apoteosis).

What date is the main Carnival parade in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

Saturday 28 February 2026 (Gran Cabalgata).