Santa Cruz de la Palma will be starting Carnival tonight. If you’re staying in town, it’s a great spectacle, but you should probably buy ear-plugs, as the music will be loud, and most nights it will go on until about 2 am. On Monday there will still be people partying at dawn.
Where things are:
The Alameda Square is at the north end of town, next to the concrete ship.
The main carnival stage is on the sea-front car park – just follow the sound of music.
The Plaza España is just south of where the main street crosses El Puente – the main road perpendicular to the sea-front. Follow the main street until you find the crowd and the music.
The Post Office is at the southern end of the main street, Calle O’Daly. Come out of the port and turn left, or go to the tourist information office and look for the crowd.
The Cuadrilátero is a little difficult to explain. From the port, head along the sea-front for a block, then go one block inland.
The Balconies stage. Go along the sea-front until you see the famous, 17th century balconies
Avenida los Indianos is the main road heading south out of town, to the big roundabout.
Don’t Drink and Drive
The legal limit for blood alcohol in Spain is 0.05%, which is lower than the UK. It’s about two units of alcohol for most people, but a traditional rum and coke often contains three units. There will be extra buses and plenty of taxis.
Friday 12th
6 pm Kids’ Parade from the Alameda square to the main carnival stage, followed by live music at the stage.
10 pm Live music at the main carnival stage
Saturday 13th Ambasadors’ Parade
10 am Live music in the Alameda Square
6 pm Official reception and parade from the Post Office to the Alameda Square, with accompanying bands, followed by live music in the Alameda Square.
9 pm Concert by the Oxford Music Band in the Plaza España
11 pm Concert of music from the 60s and 70s in the Cuadrilátero
11 pm Live music at the main carnival stage
Sunday 14th
12 noon Live music in various bits of town
4 pm Football Derby in the stadium at the top of Avenida el Puente
6 pm Basketball match at the Miraflores stadium (out of town.)
7pm Batucada (lots and lots of drums) in the main streets
10 pm Live music at the main carnival stage
Monday 15th LOS INDIANOS
The big one! This is why some supermarkets are selling 25 kg sacks of talc. See here for an explanation and here and here for photos of other years. The ferry from Tenerife will arrive absolutely packed with foot passengers who’ve come to party. Don’t miss it unless you have lung problems. The local bus company is laying on lots and lots of extra buses.
10 am The waiting. People mill around the Plaza de España, officially waiting for the boat bringing the Indianos – their relatives back from Venezuela and Cuba. Live Cuban music until 12:30 pm
12 noon – 2 pm Local group Vrandan at the Balconies stage
12:30 pm More live Cuban music with a local carnival character, Tomasa the black lady
1:30 pm Dancing procession of the Indianos and Tomasa from the Plaza de España to the main Carnival stage.
2 pm – 1 am Live Cuban music pretty much everywhere.
5 pm THE PROCESSION from Avenida los Indianos to the Alameda Square
1 am – 6 am Live Cuban music at the main Carnival stage.
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