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The Santa Cruz Carnaval with its gorgeous girls, stunning costumes, marching bands , music and happy mayhem is early this year and with this year's them being the world of magic, you may not be surprised to learn that Harry Potter himself will be in attendance.

Last years outgoing Carnaval queen is set to make a startling exit as Master Potter prepares the scene for the incoming queen. It all sounds magical indeed and with Daved Copperfield, who once 'vanished' the Statue of Liberty behind any actual wizardry that is going on, you can be ready for a spectacular show.

The main event - the one that everyone wants to attend is actually the culmination of a lot pre-Gala competitions to choose the winners from various child and adult singing groups, dancers and musicians

Preamble to Santa Cruz Carnaval

Carnaval Queen Candidates
It all kicks off at 9 pm on January 14th with the presentation of the Carnaval Queen candidates at the Nostre Señora de Africa Marke in Santa Cruz.

Infantil Murgas
The competition for the winner of the Infantil Murgas (child singing groups) follows in daily rounds from 16th to 18th of January in the carpark Parque Maritimo Cesar Manrique. These are slated to start at 8.00pm and finish at 10.00pm but this is Tenerife, so timing can be a bit ... elastic.

Concurso do Agrupaciones Musicales
Next it is the contest to find the best musical group. This takes place between 9.00 and 11.00 pm on 19th of January in the carpark of the Parque Maritmo Cesar Manrique.

Election of the Child's Gala Queen
These tiny girls in their fabulous costumes are incredible to see. They truly are allbreathtaking but one must be chosen as the Reina de La Reina Infantil - the Child Queen of Queens. Starting at 5.00pm, this event can again be seen in the carpark of the... you know that bit by now.

Concurso de Murgas Adultos
Ever onward, now it is the turn of the adult singing groups - the Adulto Murgas. Beginning with three daily events running 21 to 23rd of January and and starting at 9.00pm in the Parque Maritimo, the final phase of the contest skips a day and can be seen on 25th of January

Election of the Reina de la Tercera Edad
In other words, election of the Queen of the Third Age. Not something from Lord of the Rings but more fabulous and stunning girls only this time they are of a more vintage variety. Again in the Parque Maritimo and starting at 5.00pm through to 7.00pm on January 24th..

Concurso de Comparsas
This is the competition to choose the best amongst singing and dancing troupes. It starts at 8.00 pm in the carpark of the Parque Marítimo César Manrique on 26th January.

Concurso de Disfraces Infantiles y Adultos and Festival de Coreografico
There are two events on Sunday 27th and both are great fun. The first is the contest for the best child and adult disguise starting at 11.00 am and ending somewhere around 1.00pm. The lively Choreography Festival follows at 5.00 pm. Both are to be held in the ever popular Parque Maritimo de Cesar Manrique.

La Cancion de La Risa
The Laughing Song. We have a change of venue for this event for which I am sure the exhausted caretakers at Parque Maritmo will be eternally grateful. It will be held at the Teatro Guimera and starts at 9.00pm on January 28th.

Concierto de la Agrupación Lírico Musical Los Fregolinos
Sticking with the Teatro Guimar and starting at 8.30 pm enjoy Choral singing on January 29th.

Gran Gala de Elección de la Reina del Carnaval 2008
The election of the Carnaval Queen. You cannot believe how much emotion and rivalry and passion this event elicits. It should be a jaw-dropping spectacle that celebrates all the massive preparations that go into the whole carnaval. It usually is but not always as Pamala Heywood recounts in her scathing recounting of last year's event Gala Queen Event.

As Pamela says, that fiasco was in no way representative of the usual standard of what is now an international event, televised across the world. Don't miss this one if you are in town. We're back at the by now very familiar Parque Maritimo and the show starts at 9.30 pm.

The BIG ONE
So we've made it to the day you've all been waiting for, the Grand Gala Parade. Friday 1st of February, starting with an opening announcement at 8.00 am. The spectacular floats come first followed by the big bands and dancers.

If you are going to watch the Santa Cruz Carnaval parade here are a few tips:

Get there early.  Parking in the same timezone as Santa Cruz will be nigh on impossible if you don't get there sharpish. The seats in the bleachers fill up really fast as well.

Bring a cushion - unless you want a numb bum after a couple of hours.

Bring a hat, sunglasses and suncream. The weather may still be relatively cool in February, but if it turns out to be a scorcher you are prepared.

Bring a jumper - it can be quite cool in February, especially near the sea.

Bring some snacks and bottled water. There are kiosks to buy food and drink, but you will not wanting to be popping in and out of your seat too often.

Speaking of which bring some tissue or toilet paper  - for obvious reasons...

The floats, fabulous costumes and dancing troupes of the Grand Parade are certainly spectacular but the Santa Cruz Carnival is not simply a spectator sport. Toy shops have been ready for weeks with a range of disguises and body paint in preparation for residents and visitors alike to get in the party spirit.Think Halloween and go as your favourite celebrity, cartoon character or vegetable. Anything goes!

Celebrations of the Santa Cruz Carnaval go on all day. And night. If you can still do so, booking a hotel room in Santa Cruz for the night is a good idea.

Whew! Though the Grand Parade is really the highlight of the Carnival season, more events follow. Festivities focus on Santa Cruz to begin with but gradually spread out to other areas as each town and village celebrates its own fiesta.

One not to be missed is the Entierro de La Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) which takes place in various towns around the island. A tongue-in-cheek parade, with townsfolk decked out in black to mark the passing of the spirit of the carnival and seven witches which by the end of the parade have metamorphosed into donkeys... (Really!) A spectacular fireworks display closes the day. In Santa Cruz this event will be held on 6th February with the procession leaving from Plaza de la Paz at 9.00 pm.

Please note that all times, dates and venues given here are as announced in the official Carnaval de Tenerife website. If any of the events catches your fancy, I'd suggest checking on that site to be sure no details have been changed.

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