Carnival in La Palma is much more than a celebration: it’s an explosion of colour, music, and tradition that fills every corner of the island with joy. For several weeks, Palmeran towns come alive with parades, open-air dances, concerts, and events designed for all ages, from the youngest to the young at heart.
Each year, the theme of the carnival varies by municipality, bringing freshness and originality to each celebration. These themes are chosen through a participatory process involving the local community and the festival commissions, ensuring an inclusive atmosphere full of local identity.
Essential Carnival Information
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| When it takes place | February or March (depending on the year) |
| Main municipalities | Santa Cruz de La Palma, El Paso, Los Llanos, San Andrés y Sauces, Barlovento |
| Main events | Los Indianos Day, La Polvacera, Wig Party, Sardine Burial, 60s Wedding, parades and open-air dances |
| Duration | 2–3 weeks (varies by town) |
| What to bring | White clothes, talcum powder, a wig, camera, and a strong festive spirit |
Why You Shouldn’t Miss La Palma’s Carnival
- Because during the main week of Carnival, there’s something happening on every corner, parades, concerts, open-air dances and more, every day across the island.
- The air vibrates with music and drums, batucadas and comparsas fill the streets with rhythm and energy.
- Because Los Indianos is unique in the world, a white cloud of talcum powder, Cuban music and elegant outfits, celebrated like nowhere else.
- Despite the crowds, the atmosphere remains relaxed, family-friendly, and safe.
- Because in the middle of winter, La Palma’s mild climate offers sun, beach and warm temperatures, dance in the morning and swim in the Atlantic in the afternoon.
- A burst of creativity: costumes and performances surprise every year with their humour and imagination.
- Because experiencing it is unforgettable, and photographing it, too. Every street becomes the perfect backdrop for Carnival memories.
Los Indianos 2025
Discover everything about one of the most beautiful festivals in Spain
Los Indianos: The Heart of La Palma’s Carnival
On Carnival Monday, the streets of Santa Cruz de La Palma transform into a parallel universe of Cuban music, white outfits, guayaberas and talcum powder. Everyone becomes an Indiano for a day, celebrating with humour the return of the once-exiled who made their fortune in the Americas.
Other Highlight Events of La Palma Carnival
- Queen of Carnival Election
📍 Los Llanos de Aridane.
Held in Plaza Juan Pablo II, this gala crowns both the Fantasy Queen and the Children’s Queen. It opens the Carnival festivities in the municipality and sets the stage for events like La Gran Polvacera and the Grand Carnival Parade. - Wig Part
📍 El Paso and Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Held on different days in each town, the event in Santa Cruz is especially popular and takes place in the main carnival grounds on the Friday evening before Los Indianos. It’s an all-ages celebration filled with humour, music and extravagant wigs.
- Los Indianitos: Carnival for Kids
📍 Santa Cruz de La Palma.
On the Sunday before Los Indianos, the central carnival grounds host “Los Indianitos”, a children’s version of the famous event. From 11am, kids take part in parades, games, confetti fights, talcum showers and creative workshops that pass on the island’s carnival spirit to the youngest generation. - The 60s Wedding
📍 San Andrés y Sauces.
A playful, nostalgic event inspired by the 1960s. A “wedding” procession marches through the streets to the rhythm of batucadas and folk music, ending with a community banquet and dance show in Plaza de Montserrat. Humour, memories and togetherness define this unique local tradition. - Drag Queen Gala
📍 Los Llanos de Aridane
One of the Carnival’s most dazzling and high-energy events. Renowned drag performers light up the stage with flamboyant costumes, lip-syncs and theatrical flair. Usually held right after the main Carnival weekend. - Sardine Burial
📍 Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Andrés y Sauces, Barlovento, Puntallana
This traditional closing act of Carnival features a giant sardine carried through the streets accompanied by “widows” in mourning, satire, music and a lively open-air dance. Particularly notable are the burials in Los Sauces, declared a Festival of Tourist Interest, and the lively versions in Santa Cruz, Barlovento and Puntallana.
