First there were the queens. Naomi Cabrera Pulido was crowned carnival queen in Santa Cruz (photo courtesy of Turismo de Tenerife)…

…And Esther Yanes García, the girl with the smile that could melt a creme egg, was crowned carnival queen in Puerto de la Cruz.

Then the Ministry of Sound rocked the capital and over 100,000 people took to the streets to dance the night away at carnival street parties (this was only one street)…

…and this group of larger than life Scots threatened to drink all the beer…and eat all the pies.

Talking of food, it’s no wonder those guys got to be so big when faced with stalls like this in Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz.

The surreal Burial of the Sardine with its wailing widows has been outdone in the sheer spectacle stakes in recent years by the most outrageous event of any carnival celebrations on Tenerife – the Mascarita Ponte Tacón (High Heels Marathon). 50,000+ turn up for this one. This is one of the few photos fit for family viewing.

The Gran Coso Apoteosis (closing parade) in Santa Cruz had its fervour dampened by rain, but it’s counterpart in Puerto de la Cruz a few days later enjoyed warm sunshine, so no soggy feathers for the dancers this time…

…and much more in line with what ‘tourists’ like these two expect when they come to Tenerife.

And finally the whole thing was rounded off with some more wild and wonderful street parties, but there’s no picture for these…this time the camera stayed in the bag and the notebook remained in the pocket so that we could do what everyone else was doing – let our hair down and enjoy the last big carnival bash of 2011.

Carnival in the north of Tenerife is over, but carnival continues in Los Gigantes and Los Cristianos during the second half of March.

Carnival on Tenerife hit top gear at the weekend. Although the opening round of parties are over, some of the most popular carnival events are still to come.

There are loads of carnival events on Tenerife to look out for over the next few weeks. So anyone with a yen to slip into the fishnets and little black number (men only on this occasion), really vamp it up at an unforgettable open air party or even simply enjoy the spectacle of a colourful carnival parade should take a note of the dates in our Carnival Agenda.

Carnival on Tenerife, Güímar

Güímar has the best carnival poster on Tenerife this year and enough to warrant a visit the town of the mysterious pyramids for their celebrations.

Main Dates: 11th to 26th March. More Information Here

Carnival on Tenerife, La Laguna

Not a lot of tourists seek out this carnaval, or many fiestas in the former capital city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna even though they hold some of the biggest parties there.

Main Dates: Between 5th and 12th March. More Information Here

Carnival on Tenerife, La Orotava

With a theme of the music from the 70s and 80s La Orotava could be a hippy and new romantic haven during carnival.

Main Dates: From 5th to 12th March. More Information Here

Carnival on Tenerife, Los Cristianos

Despite the carnival poster howler, the circus themed Los Cristianos carnival should be a lot of fun.

Main Dates: 25th to 28th March. More Information Here

Carnival on Tenerife, Los Gigantes

One of the best carnivals in south Tenerife, Los Gigantes has a Latino theme this year.

Main Dates: 13th to 21st March. More Information Here

Carnival on Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz

Not quite as big as Santa Cruz, but carnival in El Puerto involves tens of thousands of people and rocking street parties.

Main Dates: Between 3rd and 12th March. More Information Here

Carnival in Santa Cruz

The biggest, brashest and most exuberant celebrations are held in Tenerife’s capital city, Santa Cruz.

Main Dates: Carnival really hits its stride in Santa Cruz between 2nd and 13th March. More Information Here

With a theme of the music from the 70s and 80s La Orotava could be a hippy and new romantic haven during carnival.

Main Dates: From 5th to 12th March

Main Events
Carnaval Parade: The Coso Apoteosis takes place on Tuesday 8th March followed by a 70s and 80s inspired disco at 7.30pm
Time: 4.30pm
Location: From Cruz del Teide to Plaza la Paz

Burial of the Sardine (in La Orotava it’s called Quema de Crispín): Wednesday 9th March
Time: 9pm
Location: Calle From the football stadium to Plaza de la Constitución.

Closing Carnival Party: The Baile de la Piñata on Saturday 12th March is the time to wear your best carnival costume in La Orotava
Time: 11pm
Location: Plaza de San Juan Bautista

One of the best carnivals in south Tenerife, Los Gigantes has a Latino theme this year.

Main Dates: 13th to 21st March

Main Events
Fiesta Blanca Latina: Batukada performances and Latino bands on Sunday 13th March
Time: From Midday
Location: Plaza Buganvilla

Election of the Carnaval Queen and Gala: Thursday 17th March
Time: 9pm
Location: Plaza Buganvilla

Children’s Parade and Grand Ball: Saturday 19th March
Time: From 5pm
Location: Plaza Buganvilla

Closing Parade: Coso Apoteosis followed by masked ball takes place on Sunday 20th March
Time: From 5pm
Location: From La Pescadora roundabout to Plaza Buganvilla.

Burial of the Sardine followed by Widows’ Ball: Monday 21st March
Time: 9pm
Location: From the start of the village to the Hotel Los Gigantes.

Despite the carnival poster howler, the circus themed Los Cristianos carnival should be a lot of fun.

Main Dates: 25th to 28tht March

Main Events
Election of the Carnaval Queen: Friday 25th March
Time: 9pm
Location: Recinto Ferial

Parade and Grand Ball: Saturday 26th March
Time: From Parade 5.30pm, Carnival Ball at 11pm
Location: Parade from Cultural Centre, dance at the Recinto Ferial

Closing Parade: Coso Apoteosis followed by carnival dance on Sunday 27th March
Time: From 5pm
Location: From Paloma Beach Aptmts to the Recinto Ferial.

Burial of the Sardine followed by Widows’ Ball: Monday 21st March
Time: 8pm
Location: From Cultural Centre to Playa de Los Cristianos. The widows’ ball is at the Recinto Ferial

Not a lot of tourists seek out this carnaval, or many fiestas in the former capital city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna even though they hold some of the biggest parties there.

Main Dates: Between 5th and 12th March

Main Events
Election of the Carnaval Queen and Carnaval Gala: Sunday 6th March
Time: 8pm
Location: Plaza Mayor de La Verdellada

Opening Parade: Monday 7th March
Time: 5pm
Location: Calle Padre Herrera, Calle Molinos de Agua, Calle Obispo Pérez Cáceres, Calle El Puente, Calle Vicente Burgo Oraá, Casa del barco, Avenida La Salle, Francisco Afonso Carrillo and Plaza Mayor de La Verdellada

Burial of the Sardine: Saturday 12th March
Time: 8pm
Location: Calle Padre Herrera, Calle Molinos de Agua, Calle Obispo Pérez Cáceres, Calle El Puente, Calle Vicente Burgo Oraá, Casa del barco, Avenida La Salle, Francisco Afonso Carrillo and Plaza Mayor de La Verdellada

Not as big as Santa Cruz, but carnival in El Puerto still involves tens of thousands of people and rocking street parties.

Main Dates: Between 3rd and 12th March

Main Events
Election of the Carnaval Queen: Thursday 3nd March
Time: 9pm
Location: Plaza Europa

Burial of the Sardine: Wednesday 9th March
Time: 9pm
Location: From Avenida Colón through the town to the harbour.

High Heels Marathon: One of the unique highlights of Puerto’s carnival takes place on Friday 11th March
Time: 4pm
Location: Avenida de Francisco La Roche y Marítima

Closing Parade: Coso Apoteosis takes place on Saturday 12th March
Time: 4pm
Location: From Avenida Colón to Plaza del Charco and then Calle San Felipe.

There are street parties every night from 5th to 12th (except Thursday 10th) in Plaza Charco, Calle Perdomo and at Casa Aduana.

Surely the best carnival poster on Tenerife and enough to warrant a visit the town of the mysterious pyramids for their celebrations.

Main Dates: 11th to 26th March

Main Events
Las Burras de Güímar: Friday 11th March sees the town’s unique battle between shape-changing witches, demons and angels followed by the cremation of the sardine and a fancy dress ball.
Time: 9pm
Location: Plaza de San Pedro

Drag Gala followed by Disco: Saturday 26th March
Time: 9m
Location: El Puertito

The biggest, brashest and most exuberant celebrations are held in Tenerife’s capital city, Santa Cruz.

Main Dates: Carnival really hits its stride in Santa Cruz between 2nd and 13th March.

Main Events
Election of the Carnaval Queen: Wednesday 2nd March
Time: 9.30pm
Location: Recinto Ferial

Opening Parade: Friday 4th
Time: 7pm
Location:  Avenida Asuncionistas, Ramón y Cajal, Galcerán, Plaza Weyler, Méndez Núñez, Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina, Avenida de Francisco La Roche

Closing Parade: Coso Apoteosis takes place on Tuesday 8th March
Time: 4pm
Location: Avenida de Francisco La Roche y Marítima

Burial of the Sardine: Wednesday 9th March
Time: 9pm
Location: Calle Juan Pablo II, Méndez Núñez, Pilar, Villalba Hervás, La Marina finalizando and Avenida Francisco La Roche

There are street parties every night from 4th to 12th (except Thursday 10th) in Plaza Europa, Plaza Candelaria and on some nights Plaza Principe.

The big event to look out for this year is the Ministry of Sound concert in Plaza Europa from 11pm to 6am on Saturday 5th March

Tenerife Magazine’s round up of some of the most interesting news stories of the week in Tenerife.

La Gomera’s Parador is in La Laguna
Council workers in La Laguna have been checking out Google Maps and Tripadvisor recently and found amongst other things that a number of street names were incorrect. The street name confusion is understandable. Councils often changes street names, having to remove all references to Franco caused a whole string of new names, so it’s difficult for Google to keep up to date. What was worse though was that Google also showed a ‘flag’ locating San Miguel de Abona in La Laguna. Anyone who uses Google maps regularly will know this sort of geographical inaccuracy is not uncommon. Tripadvisor managed to top that one. According to the report, the travel advisory site had some hotels located in the south of Tenerife as being in La Laguna…as well as La Gomera’s Parador.

The end of Veronicas as we know it?
This is one of those ‘watch this space’ sort of news reports, but Arona council have announced the intention to give a facelift to an area of Playa de las Américas that they say is degraded i.e. Veronicas. There’s talk of demolishing buildings and starting afresh. Is this the beginning of the end of an era? Might be a mistake if the council throws out all of the bread and butter in favour of only prawn sandwiches.

The Luxury Iberostar Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz
Anyone who has been following our weekly news roundup may remember last year that we included a piece about the renovation of the grand old Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz back in May 2010. Then it was hoped the hotel would re-open by Christmas. Well, they didn’t quite make it, but the good news is that a date for reopening has now been set…provisionally. As long as everything goes to plan the new revamped super Iberostar luxury hotel (now 250 rooms instead of 289) will be ready for guests from September 2011. The casino may open a couple of months prior to that date. Let’s hope it will be worth the wait.

Cock of the north…well east
Police officers in Candelaria are facing a dangerous job this week. They’ve got the go ahead to capture four crowing cockerels that have been guilty of constantly interrupting residents’ sleep for the last two years. Everybody knows that it’s a cockerel’s job to let the farmer know when it’s time to get up, but these guys’ clocks are a bit out – they believe dawn arrives at 3am and start singing from then. Locals are looking forward to a good night’s sleep as soon as the four culprits are apprehended and thrown in the big hen house.

No TV in Palm-Mar
Tenerife can be a frustrating place to live for a number of reasons, but one of the main ones is that when something goes wrong, nobody accepts responsibility, or even wants to know. Take this ridiculous situation in Palm-Mar in Arona. Apparently two thousand people lose their TDT signal each night at midnight when the ‘generator’ responsible for transmitting the TV signal switches off. Residents have complained to the council who helpfully responded with a ‘nothing to do with us’. Then they tried the TV companies, but as there isn’t actually a fault with the signal, there was nothing they could do. So residents have been left without TV after midnight and unable to resolve their problem and unsure of which Pontius Pilate to approach next.

And finally the TIT (This Is Tenerife) of the week award goes to the Federación Canaria del Ocio (Fecao)

The federation, which represents bars and restaurants in the Canary Islands, has announced that it is urging its members to close their establishments on the 9th March – the day the Burial of the Sardine is held at Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz carnivals.

The protest is against the anti-tobacco law introduced on 2nd January this year and the loss of custom bars have experienced as a result. Fecao hope this action and future planned protests will make the government re-asses the severity of the law.
In the announcement the president of Fecao claimed that almost 100% of their clients were smokers. One hundred per cent! Where that statistic came from is unclear, but it does seem slightly suspect. Maybe he meant 100% of the people who were against the law were smokers.

It’s understandable that emotions run high regarding the subject of smoking, or no-smoking in this case, but much of the world has moved on years ago regarding laws relating to smoking in bars. There is not going to be a backward step, not from the more enlightened countries anyway. So it’s time to leave the playground guys and enter the big wide world outside. Shut your bars by all means if it helps you get things off your chests…we’ll all be at the Burial of the Sardine anyway.