La Laguna Unveils Inclusive Cultural Carnival 2026, Adds Senior Day
La Laguna City Council has announced its 7th Cultural Carnival for 2026, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity with new events for seniors and a revamped 'Burial of the Sardine'.
The La Laguna City Council has announced the seventh edition of its Cultural Carnival. This year's celebration focuses on being inclusive and diverse, with a special emphasis on families and local community groups. New for the 2026 carnival are 'Mayores Don Carnal' – a day dedicated to seniors – and the return of the traditional 'Burial of the Sardine' parade.
Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez and Culture Councillor Adrián del Castillo shared the program details at an event, highlighting the carnival's importance to the city's cultural identity. The city aims to establish the festival as a leading event that successfully blends tradition with fresh ideas, ensuring everyone in the community can participate.
The Cultural Carnival 2026 will begin with an exhibition showcasing traditional masked figures. Titled ‘Traditional Carnival: Dancing Mascaritas like our Grandparents’, this exhibition is a collaboration between historian Néstor Verona and specialist Dulce Rodríguez. It opens this Thursday, February 26, at the Santo Domingo convent, offering a glimpse into the islands' festive heritage.
Outdoor activities kick off on Friday at 10:00 AM with the 'Inclusive Carnival'. This initiative, coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare, ensures the celebration is accessible to all. In the afternoon, Plaza del Cristo will host 'Mayores Don Carnal', a special event for the elderly, featuring performances by María Jesús and her accordion, and Rafael Flores “El Morocho”.
Saturday promises intergenerational fun, starting with a Grand Pirate Party in Plaza del Cristo in the morning. In the afternoon, the historic center will come alive with a traditional parade and a gathering of street music groups. The evening concludes with 'Carnival Night, Son and Wines', which combines Cuban music with local island wines, alongside the annual gathering of the Bambones carnival group in El Cardonal.
On Sunday, the 'Carnival Apotheosis' parade will make its way through the city center, featuring local dance and carnival groups, including Joroperos and Valleiros, who were winners in the Rhythm and Harmony competition. In the afternoon, the revamped 'Burial of the Sardine' will take place, starting from Plaza del Hermano Ramón, aiming for greater public participation. The grand finale is the Grand Masked Ball, with performances by orchestras such as Nueva Línea, King África, K-Narias, and Caracas Latin Brothers. The ball will conclude at 8:00 PM out of respect for neighborhood peace.
The city council expressed its gratitude to all participants and groups who contribute to the growth of this celebration. They emphasized its development into a responsible, diverse, and open event that successfully integrates tradition with innovative proposals.