Santa Cruz Murgas Final 2026 Set for Rare Saturday, Tickets Gone in 90 Minutes

The grand final of the Adult Murgas competition for the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival 2026 is set for this Saturday, January 31. Starting at 8:00 PM, the event will take place at the Recinto Ferial (Fairgrounds). This marks only the second time in the competition's history that the final will be held on a Saturday.

Following four preliminary rounds held from January 26 to 29, the judges have chosen the eight top-scoring murgas. These groups will now compete for the coveted Performance awards in what is one of the carnival's most eagerly awaited spectacles. Demand for the final was incredibly high, with tickets selling out just an hour and a half after they became available.

During the jury's deliberation at the Grand Final, the popular Tenerife orchestra Nueva Línea will take to the Recinto Ferial stage. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, through its Fiestas de Santa Cruz department, announced that the band will perform part of its repertoire to entertain the audience while the judges decide the competition's outcome. Nueva Línea has seen a surge in popularity over the past year, becoming a viral sensation with millions of views across social media. Their rendition of 'Noche de Copas' alone garnered over 40 million streams, making it one of the most listened-to songs in the country. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez praised the orchestra's long-standing involvement in the 'Chicharrero Carnival' and their current success. Fiestas Councilor Javier Caraballero added that their performance would help make the wait for the final results much more enjoyable.

El Cardonal's performance was a sharp critique of political and social issues, touching on topics like the Cabildo de Tenerife, public healthcare, and emergency services. Their second song used the idea of a 'healthcare lottery' to highlight problems in Canarian hospitals, ending with a strong defense of medical staff and a direct challenge to the regional government.

The veteran murga groups offered a critique of the education system and the challenges of emotional well-being, referencing issues like school bullying and healthcare. Their second piece explored social misunderstandings through relatable daily scenarios, such as traffic jams on the TF-5 highway and the housing crisis in El Toscal.

Icod's murga showcased a fresh artistic and musical approach. Their performance centered on what they called social, political, and economic 'simulations,' covering topics like the volcano, healthcare, and the management of La Palma. Their second song delved into the identity of northern Tenerife, the importance of its primary industries, and the differing views between the capital city and other regions.

Making their second consecutive appearance in the final, La Sonora blended social commentary with audience interaction. Their first song championed local businesses and the use of vouchers, while the second explored personal aspirations, emigration, and paid tribute to other murgas, with several parts led directly by the group members.

The Los Realejos murga defended their costume with a song that highlighted the limitations of the Carnival itself and broader structural issues in the Canary Islands, including housing, education, and tourism. Their second song used the metaphor of 'paper' to criticize local politics, job insecurity, and the shortage of resources in healthcare and support services for dependents.

After not reaching the final in 2025, Los Trónicos made a strong return with a performance that mixed humor, social criticism, and a passionate defense of the murga tradition. Their first song tackled everyday oddities and the undervaluation of local talent. The second transformed the stage into a platform for social protest, featuring direct accounts from various community groups.

Under new artistic direction, Ofra's murga dedicated its first song to contemporary societal anxieties, ranging from the erosion of traditions to issues like gambling, machismo, and hate speech. Their second piece explored overlooked areas of Santa Cruz and discussed topics such as healthcare, mental health, and the fading away of historical murga groups.

Ángel Cabrera's group presented a performance structured around two narratives: first, The Wizard of Oz, and then, a 'social boxing match.' Their songs tackled serious issues like gender violence, mental health, housing, squatting, sexual identity, and job insecurity, incorporating various individuals to represent real-life struggles.