Tenerife comes alive year-round with a packed calendar of special events. In addition to Europe’s largest carnival, the island hosts music and film festivals, traditional celebrations and sporting events.
Sunblast Festival
The Sunblast Festival brings together thousands of people in Adeje, including top international DJs, for the Canary Islands’ largest electronic music celebration.
With an impressive technical setup, the festival showcases emerging talent and established names. Festival goers can anticipate multiple genres, including pop and urban.
Tenerife Grand Slam
The Tenerife Wave and Slalom Grand Slam event is held annually at Playa El Cabezo in El Médano. Organised by the Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA) and the Wave World Tour (WWT), it features Wave and Slalom X competitions.
Playa El Cabezo, is renowned for its waves and wind, making it a popular location for windsurfing. Exhibitions and educational events are held in parallel with the competitive windsurfing.
PheFestival
Puerto de la Cruz is the host city for this multifaceted and transformative festival embracing music, visual arts, gastronomy and a market that showcases fashion and local crafts.
Committed to sustainability, the PheFestival’s action takes place by the seafront, on an outdoor stage at the Explanada del Muelle. Anticipate the beats of multiple genres of music, from electronic expressions to indie pop.
Santa Cruz Extreme
Trail runners should mark October in their calendar for Santa Cruz Extreme. The longest of four events takes runners on a trail equal in distance to a marathon (42km), traversing the undulating but beautiful terrain of Anaga Rural Park.
Runners who do not wish to commit to the 42km distance can run in 10km, 18km or 25km versions.
Tenerife Peñón Fest
The Tenerife Peñón Fest (formerly Peñón Rock) is an annual indie, pop-rock, and alternative music festival. Following six years of rocking Puerto de la Cruz, the festival has relocated to Santa Cruz.
Alongside live alternative music performances, the festival also showcases local gastronomy and cultural activities
Tenerife Spartan Weekend
The Tenerife Spartan Weekend consists of three events for adults: a 5km Sprint, a 10km Super and the 21km Beast. Each features multiple obstacles, requiring participants to push themselves to demonstrate strength, determination and resilience.
The island’s black volcanic sand and rugged coastline provide the setting for an event that draws thousands of competitors. Young, aspiring Spartans have the opportunity to participate in a 1-3km race for kids.
Canary Islands Music Festival
Starting in January and continuing into February, soloists and orchestras perform at venues across the Canary Islands during the Canary Islands Music Festival, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s iconic Auditorio de Tenerife.
It is the islands’ only winter festival, with different concerts take place on each of the Islands.
Carnival in Tenerife
The Tenerife Carnival is the world’s second largest. Considered one of the best, it has been declared an Festival of International Tourist Interest and attracts thousands of visitors to Santa Cruz, the island’s capital. Music, dancing, parades and opulent costumes all feature in this popular event.
The Tenerife Carnival has two parts: contests and the open-air dances. A variety of competitions take place at Santa Cruz’s fairground, including the gala event during which the Carnival Queen is selected. Visitors can look forward to street music, including satirical troupes known as murgas and dancing and drumming by costume-wearing comparsas.
Fimucité
The Tenerife International Film Music Festival (Fimucité) is now into its third decade.
With workshops promoting inclusivity and renditions of cinematic music, the popular event features orchestral performances and piano recitals. Musicians belt out soundtracks and melodies from movies at public squares, in theatres and at the iconic Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz.
