Puerto de la Cruz Carnival: Dates, Events and the Mascarita Ponte Tacón
Mis à jour le 3 novembre 2026 · DoTenerife
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Puerto de la Cruz holds one of Tenerife’s liveliest carnivals, usually in February, with street parties around Plaza del Charco, parades, a Queen election gala and its world-famous Mascarita Ponte Tacón, a high-heels race run mostly by men in drag. The town also has a summer carnival in September. It’s smaller and more relaxed than Santa Cruz’s, and the streets of the old harbour make a great setting.
When is it?
| Year | Main dates |
|---|---|
| 2026 (for reference) | Opening Royal Gala 6 Feb; Queen gala 12 Feb; street carnival from 14 Feb; Burial of the Sardine 18 Feb; Mascarita Ponte Tacón 20 Feb; finale 21 Feb |
| 2027 | Not yet announced. Expect late February to early March, after Santa Cruz moved its street carnival to 19–28 February |
| Summer carnival | September (10–20 September in 2026) |
Dates change from year to year and can move for weather, so always check the town hall’s programme before travelling.
The Mascarita Ponte Tacón
The highlight of Puerto’s carnival. Contestants, mostly men in spectacular drag, sprint about 600 metres in towering heels from the San Telmo chapel to Plaza del Charco. Heels are measured before the race and prizes go to the fastest and the best costumes. In 2026 registration and heel measuring began at 8pm in Plaza de los Reyes Católicos, the race started at about 10pm, and there was music and DJs in the squares afterwards. Crowds are huge, so arrive early for a view along the route.
Other key events
- Royal Gala and Queen election: the formal opening and the glamour of the Queen gala.
- Parades (recorridos): colourful daytime and evening parades through the old town.
- Burial of the Sardine: the mock funeral, with “widows” in black, that marks the end of carnival.
- Street parties: music stages and DJs around Plaza del Charco and the harbour.
Tips
- Wear a costume — almost everyone does.
- Buses from the south to Puerto de la Cruz take about 1.5 hours; consider staying overnight in the north. See getting around Tenerife.
- Book accommodation early for the Mascarita weekend.
- Combine it with the bars in our Puerto de la Cruz nightlife guide.
Puerto de la Cruz
Questions fréquentes
When is Puerto de la Cruz carnival 2027?
The 2027 programme hadn't been published at the time of writing. Puerto de la Cruz usually holds its winter carnival in February, overlapping with or just after Santa Cruz's. With Santa Cruz's street carnival on 19–28 February 2027, expect Puerto's to fall around late February to early March. We'll update this guide when dates are confirmed.
What is the Mascarita Ponte Tacón?
Puerto de la Cruz's most famous carnival event: a race of around 600 metres in high heels, mostly run by men in drag, from the San Telmo chapel to Plaza del Charco. In 2026 it was held on Friday 20 February, with registration and heel measuring from 8pm and the race at about 10pm.
Does Puerto de la Cruz have a summer carnival?
Yes. The International Summer Carnival (Carnaval Internacional de Verano) runs in September; in 2026 it was scheduled for 10–20 September.
Is Puerto de la Cruz carnival family friendly?
The daytime parades and children's events are. Late-night street parties around Plaza del Charco get very busy and run into the early hours.