Casa del Carnaval

Situated in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Casa del Carnaval serves as a vibrant tribute to the island’s world-renowned carnival tradition, one of the oldest and most illustrious festivals in Spain. Officially inaugurated in 2017, the museum and cultural centre is housed within a modernist building specifically designed to preserve and showcase the historical legacy of the Santa Cruz Carnival, which first gained official recognition as a Festivity of International Tourist Interest in 1980. Within its halls, visitors can explore an extensive collection of costumes, masks, archival photographs, posters and audiovisual exhibits, some dating from the earliest documented festivities in the late 18th century. Notably, the carnival was suppressed during Francisco Franco’s regime, from 1937 until 1977, when it was revived with renewed vigour during Spain’s transition to democracy. The Casa del Carnaval not only preserves artefacts from these pivotal periods but also hosts thematic exhibitions highlighting key events, such as the crowning of the carnival queens and the celebrated Burial of the Sardine procession. Today, it stands as an essential point of reference for enthusiasts of history and culture, chronicling the evolution of a festival that continues to captivate both locals and international visitors every February.