Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival 2026 – Full Programme
Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival returns from 17 to 19 September 2026, bringing three days of carnival colour, music, costumes and family activities to the town.
The 2026 Carnaval de Verano begins with a Carnival exhibition at the Mercado Municipal on Thursday and Friday before moving to the Paseo de Martiánez for the main programme on Saturday 19 September.
Saturday is the biggest day, with salsa, children's activities, a family show, the first “Mascarita, pon la toalla” Carnival Race, a carnival parade, the Gala del Carnaval de Verano 2026 and a closing DJ session.
The gala will also include the presentation of the official poster for the Puerto de la Cruz International Carnival 2027.
Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival 2026 dates and locations
- Thursday 17 September: Carnival exhibition at Mercado Municipal
- Friday 18 September: Carnival exhibition continues at Mercado Municipal
- Saturday 19 September: Main Summer Carnival programme at Paseo de Martiánez
The detailed 2026 programme is therefore concentrated into three days, rather than the longer September date range announced earlier in the year.
Exact opening times have not been published for the Mercado Municipal exhibition, but the full Saturday programme has now been released.
Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September – Carnival exhibition
Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival begins at the Mercado Municipal with a Carnival exhibition running across Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September.
The exhibition brings some of the costumes and outfits associated with the town's carnival tradition into the market, providing a cultural introduction to the weekend before the main outdoor celebration on Saturday.
No exact public opening hours for the exhibition have been included in the programme released so far.
Saturday 19 September – full Summer Carnival programme
The main day of the 2026 Summer Carnival takes place at the Paseo de Martiánez, with activities running from midday until midnight.
- 12:00 – Salsa with Donantes de Rumba
- 12:00–15:00 – Children's activities
- 17:00 – Children's show
- 18:00–19:00 – I Carrera Carnavalera “Mascarita, pon la toalla”
- 19:00 – Carnaval de Verano pasacalles
- 21:00–23:30 – Gala del Carnaval de Verano 2026
- 23:30–00:00 – DJ session
With children's entertainment during the day and the parade and gala later in the evening, Saturday is designed as the main public celebration of the three-day event.
First “Mascarita, pon la toalla” Carnival Race
One of the new additions for 2026 is the I Carrera Carnavalera “Mascarita, pon la toalla”, taking place from 18:00 to 19:00 on Saturday.
The event combines sport, humour and the playful spirit of Carnival rather than presenting itself as a conventional competitive road race.
No additional participation or registration details have been included in the programme currently available, so anyone hoping to take part should check the latest Carnival announcements before attending.
Summer Carnival pasacalles
At 19:00 on Saturday 19 September, the Summer Carnival pasacalles brings the colour, music and street atmosphere of Puerto de la Cruz Carnival to the Martiánez area.
The parade follows the afternoon family programme and Carnival Race and leads into the evening Gala del Carnaval de Verano.
A detailed parade route has not been published in the programme currently available, so visitors should follow local directions around Paseo de Martiánez on the day.
Gala del Carnaval de Verano 2026
The main evening event begins at 21:00 and runs until approximately 23:30.
The Gala del Carnaval de Verano 2026 is the headline event of Saturday night and brings the three-day Summer Carnival towards its conclusion.
An additional highlight during the gala will be the official presentation of the poster for the 2027 Puerto de la Cruz International Carnival.
The programme released so far does not give a complete list of performers for the gala, so we have not added unconfirmed artist names.
Summer Carnival for families
Saturday afternoon includes a substantial programme specifically for younger visitors.
Children's activities run from 12:00 to 15:00, alongside the lunchtime salsa programme, before a separate children's show at 17:00.
This makes the earlier part of Saturday particularly suitable for families wanting to experience the Carnival atmosphere before the evening parade and gala.
Where is Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival 2026?
Mercado Municipal
The Carnival exhibition on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September takes place at the Mercado Municipal de Puerto de la Cruz.
Paseo de Martiánez
The main Saturday programme takes place around the Paseo de Martiánez, one of the most central visitor areas of Puerto de la Cruz.
Martiánez is within walking distance of many hotels and apartments in the town centre and is close to Avenida de Colón and Costa Martiánez.
Planning your visit to the Summer Carnival
If you only plan to attend one day, Saturday 19 September has by far the largest programme, beginning at 12:00 and continuing until midnight.
Families may prefer the daytime programme, while the pasacalles and Summer Carnival Gala form the main evening events.
Because the Saturday activities are concentrated around the Martiánez area, expect this part of Puerto de la Cruz to be busier than usual, particularly from the early evening onwards.
Individual timings and arrangements can still be subject to operational changes, so check the latest Carnival announcements on the day before travelling specifically for one activity.
The first look at Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2027
The Summer Carnival also provides the first major public step towards next year's main Carnival.
During Saturday night's gala, the official poster for Puerto de la Cruz International Carnival 2027 is scheduled to be presented.
The confirmed theme for Carnival 2027 is Under the Sea, with the principal gala and street dates already beginning to take shape.
See the confirmed Puerto de la Cruz Carnival 2027 dates and theme.
Frequently asked questions
When is Puerto de la Cruz Summer Carnival 2026?
The 2026 Summer Carnival takes place from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 September.
Where is the Summer Carnival held?
The Carnival exhibition on Thursday and Friday is at the Mercado Municipal. The main Saturday programme takes place at the Paseo de Martiánez.
What happens on Saturday 19 September?
Saturday includes salsa with Donantes de Rumba, children's activities, a children's show, the “Mascarita, pon la toalla” Carnival Race, a pasacalles, the Summer Carnival Gala and a closing DJ session.
What time does the Saturday programme start?
The first activities begin at 12:00.
When is the Summer Carnival parade?
The Carnaval de Verano pasacalles begins at 19:00 on Saturday 19 September.
When is the Summer Carnival Gala?
The Gala del Carnaval de Verano 2026 takes place from 21:00 to 23:30 on Saturday 19 September.
Are there children's activities?
Yes. Children's activities run from 12:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, followed by a children's show at 17:00.
What is “Mascarita, pon la toalla”?
It is the first edition of a Carnival-themed race combining sport, humour and carnival spirit. It takes place from 18:00 to 19:00 on Saturday.
Will anything be announced about Carnival 2027?
Yes. The official poster for Puerto de la Cruz International Carnival 2027 is scheduled to be presented during Saturday night's Summer Carnival Gala.