Historic: Public to Judge Santa Cruz Carnival Queen

The Santa Cruz City Council, through its Fiestas department, is launching a historic new plan for the 2026 Carnival Queen galas. For the first time ever, a member of the public will be part of the judging panel. This new initiative aims to boost public involvement in one of the city's most iconic events.

The public representative will be chosen through an open draw, which will happen after the registration period closes between January 19 and 22. People can sign up on the official website: www.carnavaldetenerife.com. Any adult who lives in Tenerife can register for this unique, first-hand experience.

Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez explained, "Carnival is everyone's festival, and we wanted to take another step to make sure citizens feel like an active part of the celebration. They won't just be spectators; they'll be directly involved in one of the most symbolic and popular moments of the program." The mayor added, "Allowing public participation on the jury strengthens the open, inclusive, and democratic spirit of the Santa Cruz Carnival. It's a celebration built by everyone and is a part of our shared identity."

Javier Caraballero, the Councillor for Fiestas, highlighted the strong support the proposal has received from within the carnival community. "Yesterday we met with the designers, and the idea was unanimously approved," he said, "which shows that the sector sees this initiative as an opportunity to bring the galas even closer to the public." Caraballero added, "This is something that has never been done in the history of the Carnival, and we are convinced that it will be well-received, that it will offer a different perspective, and that it is here to stay as another form of public participation and involvement."

The chosen public representative will join the judging panel for the Adult, Children's, and Senior Queens' election galas, sitting alongside professionals from the fields of design, fashion, and communication.