Tenerife Carnival Queen Debuts Award-Winning Costume at Notting Hill Carnival

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival gained significant international exposure this Monday as its reigning queen, Carla Castro, joined the main parade at London’s Notting Hill Carnival. The Tenerife delegation showcased Icónica, the award-winning costume from the 2026 edition, bringing the festival’s signature style to the streets of the UK.

Participating in the 60th anniversary of the London event was more than just a tourism campaign; it was a major exercise in cultural diplomacy. The costume, designed by Alexis Santana, presented a significant logistical challenge. Standing over five meters tall, the structure had to be disassembled in the Canary Islands and carefully rebuilt for its London debut. The project required a team of more than 30 professionals, including architects, artists, and florists.

This exchange highlights the connection between two distinct but complementary traditions. While Notting Hill Carnival is rooted in Caribbean heritage, the Tenerife delegation—supported by the Santa Cruz City Council and the Island Council—brought the unique, months-long artisanal craftsmanship that defines their festival’s large-scale costumes.

For tourism officials, the event is part of a strategy to show British visitors that the Canary Islands offer much more than just sun and sand. By showcasing Icónica, Tenerife aims to highlight its rich cultural and creative heritage.

The bond between the two festivals has grown stronger since the president of Notting Hill Carnival, Ian Comfort, served as a juror at the Tenerife queen selection gala last February. Local leaders, including Island Council vice president Lope Afonso and Santa Cruz mayor José Manuel Bermúdez, view the collaboration as a way to celebrate how both festivals transform public spaces into stages for artistic expression. For Queen Carla Castro, the experience was a proud opportunity to represent Canarian talent and identity on an international stage.