The carnivals in La Palma are a rich expression of traditions and celebrations that span several weeks. Each year, the themes reflected in the costumes and decorations of each municipality change, bringing freshness and novelty to the festivities. These themes are carefully selected by the festival committee, ensuring that each edition of the carnival has its unique stamp.
Carnivals in La Palma: A Dazzling Journey of Colors, Music, and Magic
The carnival in Santa Cruz de La Palma begins on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and extends until Piñata Sunday. The inauguration is marked by a children’s parade, followed by traditional street verbenas and the distinctive wig party. We cannot forget the Parade of Ambassadors and the emblematic Burial of the Sardine.
The unmissable day of Los Indianos: The Heart and Soul of La Palma Carnival
However, one of the most internationally recognized moments is Los Indianos Monday at the Santa Cruz de La Palma carnival. On this day, the entire city celebrates the return of the “Indianos,” islanders who emigrated to America and returned to the Canary Islands. The celebration is full of Caribbean music, evocative costumes, and a peculiar talcum powder battle that leaves a trail on O’Daly, Pérez de Brito, and Avenida Marítima streets.
In Los Llanos de Aridane the carnival also has its peculiarities. An old tradition, Las Viejas a Caballota, was reintroduced in 1993, featuring figures that combine masculine and feminine traits and dance a unique polka. Over the years, La Gran Polvacera, a verbena accompanied by a battle of colored talcum powders, has been gaining relevance in this municipality.
After Los Indianos Monday, the celebration doesn’t stop. The verbenas continue throughout the week, giving Palmeros the opportunity to show off their ingenious costumes, which in some cases take months of preparation. The carnival reaches another climax during the piñata weekend, when the costumes are showcased for the last time.
The closing act is the traditional Burial of the Sardine, celebrated in various municipalities such as Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Andrés y Sauces, and Barlovento. This symbolic act, representing the end of the festivities, involves the burning of a large sardine figure, accompanied by the dramatic lament of the “widows,” and ends with a dazzling display of fireworks and one final grand verbena.
Together, the carnival in La Palma is a fusion of traditions, music, changing themes, and creativity that enchants all who participate.
