Spanish Holiday Destinations | Living in Spain | Spain Tourist Guide

It may not be as riotous as Rio.  But make no mistake – Carnival in the Canaries is a major event.  Effectively shutting down many businesses for weeks on end as the celebrations sweep across the islands.

Carnival first arrived in the Canary Islands in the 15th Century – imported by the Spanish conquistadors from Europe.  And for centuries served as a sort of social safety valve – enabling the have nots to let off steam before the advent and sacrifices of Lent.  Whilst also blurring the rigid social boundaries of the time with masks and costumes.

Today some would argue that little has changed.  As Carnival remains both deeply hedonistic and anti-authoritarian.  With many revellers opting for costumes that cock a snook at both their political represtantives and perceived social injustices.

That being said the main accent of Carnival is always on fun and excess.  And the Canarians have proved themselves highly efficient on both fronts over the centuries.  So much so that Carnival was in fact effectively banned on the islands by General Franco from 1936 through until the 1960´s. 

Carnival actually goes on for weeks on islands such as Lanzarote where the celebrations roll from one town to the next.  Effectively bringing much of local government and commerce to a halt.

The highlight of each Carnival event is always the main procession – which features a succession of themed and brightly decorated floats.  Which are often mobile platforms for a batacuda drum band or similar mass rhythm section.  With the noise levels taken to decibel busting levels as the procession wends its way through the throng.

Carnival kicks off in the island capital of Arrecife on February 17th until the 25th.  Before decamping for the main holiday resort of Puerto del Carmen where the whole party starts all over again from the 26th onwards.

Such is the scale of Carnival these days that many tourists plan their holidays in Lanzarote around this unique annual event.

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