Lanzarote Carnival 2026 already has confirmed dates, themes and early programs. From The Smurfs and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Arrecife to Mexican catrinas in Teguise, the Roaring Twenties in Puerto del Carmen, and the Gods of Olympus in Playa Blanca, the island is gearing up for almost two months of costumes, parades and revelry.

Tuesday, February 17 is a local holiday in Arrecife, Haría, San Bartolomé, Tías and Tinajo. Monday, February 16 (Carnival Monday) sees Arrecife’s Gran Coso, the island’s biggest parade.

Lanzarote Carnival 2026 Calendar

The island’s seven municipalities stagger their celebrations between February and March, allowing carnival lovers to enjoy multiple festivities:

• Arrecife: February 6-18
• Puerto del Carmen (Tías): February 19-22
• Haría: Late February (dates TBC)
• San Bartolomé / Playa Honda: February (dates TBC)
• Tinajo: March 6-8
• Teguise / Costa Teguise / La Graciosa: March 2-15
• Playa Blanca (Yaiza): March 12-15

Arrecife Carnival 2026

Dates: February 6-18, 2026
Theme: “1980s and 90s Children’s TV”
Gran Coso: Monday, February 16
Burial of the Sardine: Wednesday, February 18

The island’s capital will enjoy a nostalgia-filled carnival paying tribute to characters that defined several generations’ childhoods: The Smurfs, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds, Around the World with Willy Fog, Saint Seiya, Mazinger Z and the beloved clowns Gaby, Fofó, Miliki and Fofito.

The theme was chosen by public vote with 45% of votes (504 out of 1,121 cast). The murgas (satirical carnival groups) already know their performance order for the contests on Tuesday, February 10 and Friday, February 13.

Provisional program:

• Friday 6: Opening proclamation, Drag Gala, Street Party
• Saturday 7: Traditional Carnival, Daytime Carnival
• Sunday 8: Dog Carnival, Children’s Murgas, Senior Citizens’ Masked Ball
• Tuesday 10: Adult Murgas Contest (first round)
• Friday 13: Adult Murgas Final
• Sunday 15: Adult and Children’s Queen Gala
• Monday 16: Gran Coso Parade (from 6:00 pm)
• Wednesday 18: Burial of the Sardine

Puerto del Carmen Carnival 2026

Dates: February 19-22, 2026
Theme: “The Roaring Twenties”
Location: Avenida de Las Playas

Tías Town Council has chosen a theme promising glamour, jazz and endless fun. Festivals councillor Miriam Hernández highlights that “Puerto del Carmen Carnival has always been a benchmark in Lanzarote, and in 2026 we want it to shine brighter than ever.”

New for this edition: the return of Daytime Carnival and an enhanced Gran Coso parade along Avenida de Las Playas. The program will include murgas, comparsas, batucadas and floats.

Costume inspiration: Flapper dresses, feathers, sequins, top hats, suspenders, tuxedos, pearl necklaces and all the Art Deco style of the Charleston era.

Teguise, Costa Teguise and La Graciosa Carnival 2026

Dates: March 2-15, 2026
Theme: “Beautiful Mexico and Beyond – Day of the Dead”
Locations: Costa Teguise, La Villa de Teguise and La Graciosa

The winning theme promises a carnival full of soul, rhythm and passion, featuring the elegance of catrinas, decorated skulls, marigold flowers, papel picado (perforated paper) and altars full of life. All accompanied by mariachi music and the flavors of Mexican cuisine.

The theme was chosen by public vote with 196 votes (40.08%), beating “A World of Fantasy: Tales and Magic” (178 votes), “Legends of the Caribbean: Pirates and Corsairs” (75 votes) and “Legendary Texas” (40 votes).

Costume inspiration: Catrinas and catrines with skull makeup, charro hats, mariachi suits, Frida Kahlo, Mexican wrestlers, alebrijes.

Playa Blanca Carnival 2026

Dates: March 12-15, 2026
Theme: “The Gods of Olympus”
Location: Plaza del Carmen, Avenida Papagayo

Yaiza Town Council is betting on Greek mythology as the theme for the island’s southernmost carnival. Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Hermes and company promise majestic floats, epic costumes and plenty of fantasy.

Festivals councillor Daniel Medina highlights “the great success of Carnival 2025, with record participation.”

Poster contest: Deadline January 26, 2026. Prize: €1,200. Rules at yaiza.es.

Costume inspiration: Greek togas, laurel wreaths, tridents, Zeus’s lightning bolts, hoplite armor, Medusa, Pegasus, muses.

Tinajo Carnival 2026

Dates: March 6-8, 2026
Theme: “Vikings”

Tinajo municipality will celebrate an epic carnival inspired by Norse warriors. Festivals councillor Jonatan Pérez Olivero encourages everyone to “let their imagination run wild.”

Poster contest: Exclusive to ESO and Bachillerato students at IES Tinajo. Deadline January 12, 2026. New rule: use of Artificial Intelligence is not permitted.

Costume inspiration: Horned helmets, furs, axes, round shields, Viking braids, Ragnar Lothbrok, valkyries.

Haría Carnival 2026

Dates: Late February (TBC)
Theme: “Peter Pan in Neverland”

The northern municipality chose this theme with 37 out of 78 votes, beating “The Playmobil World” (17 votes) and “The Vikings” (24 votes). Mayor Alfredo Villalba highlights that “this theme will transport us to a world full of magic and fun.”

Costume inspiration: Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, Captain Hook, mermaids, Lost Boys, crocodiles with clocks.

San Bartolomé and Playa Honda Carnival 2026

Dates: TBC (usually early February)
Theme: Pending announcement

The municipality celebrates the traditional Burial of the Guachinango (a local fish) in Playa Honda as the grand finale. The full program will be published soon at sanbartolome.es.

Lanzarote Carnival: A Time-Honored Tradition

As tradition dictates, forty days before Christian Lent, carnival takes over the island. A time of laughter, dancing, satire and revelry where any costume goes and creativity rules.

Current personalities appear perfectly characterized. You might bump into a president, Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx or Jim Carrey’s Ace Ventura. But beware – the dark side wants its moment too: don’t be surprised if Darth Vader, Hannibal Lecter or Freddy Krueger are standing next to you having a drink.

Murgas and comparsas: humor meets social commentary

The murgas contest is one of the most anticipated events. A space for social and political satire where the front row – occupied by local politicians – receives more than a few costumed reprimands. Comparsas and batucadas energize the parades with rhythms that invite everyone to dance.

The Burial of the Sardine: the grand finale

Carnival lovers never want the party to end. However, as all good things must end, the festivities close with the Burial of the Sardine. A parade of mourning that processes along Arrecife’s seafront until the purifying flames consume the vices and excesses. The ritual symbolizes the return to order and regeneration.

Practical tips

• Plan your costume: With themes now confirmed, you have time to prepare something elaborate or buy what you need.
• Book accommodation: Carnival weekends are in high demand, especially in Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen.
• Arrive early for parades: The best spots to watch fill up quickly.
• Transport: Avoid driving if you’re celebrating. Special taxi services and buses run on carnival nights.
• Accessible areas: Arrecife provides spaces for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Official information

• Arrecife Town Council
• Tías Town Council
• Teguise Town Council
• Yaiza Town Council
• Tinajo Town Council
• Haría Town Council
• San Bartolomé Town Council

Last updated: January 6, 2026. This article will be updated as town councils publish their full programs.