The City Council of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, through the Autonomous Organisation of Festivals and Recreational Activities (OAFAR), will mark the commencement of the Carnival 2025 on Friday, January 31, at the Paseo Teniente Francisco Grandi Giraud – opposite Plaza España.
There will be a total of 1,063 seats available for attendees, who can obtain their invitations on a first-come, first-served basis at the entry point on the day of the event, until all seats are filled. The doors will open at 8:30 p.m.
The mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasised the significance of this occasion, stating that it has attracted substantial interest from carnival enthusiasts in recent years. “We will gather all the candidates for queen in what promises to be a highly anticipated edition,” he remarked.
Festival Councillor, Javier Caraballero, expressed his appreciation for “the commitment of the candidates, designers, sponsors, and families over the past months. I am confident that this year’s standards will be exceptionally high.”
This year, Wendy Fuentes will once again host the inaugural event of the Carnival of the Secrets of Africa, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. and is expected to last approximately an hour. This occasion will serve as the launch for the edition, showcasing the 34 candidates competing for the title of Carnival queen across three categories, allowing the audience to learn the order in which they will participate in their respective contests.
To enliven the gala, the queens of Carnival 2024, Afro-Canarian performers, and the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival troupes will contribute to the festivities. Moreover, the hosts of the various events for this edition will be unveiled, kicking off a show that will commence with the 2024 queens and an overture designed to immerse the audience in the Secrets of Africa from the outset, featuring performances by notable artists like Marieme Abdoulaye.
Under the direction of Jep Meléndez, the event will be broadcast live on Radio Televisión Canaria throughout the Archipelago.