Tenerife Cook Music Fest 2026: 600 New Jobs Created for Local Youth

The Tenerife Cook Music Fest has initiated its recruitment drive for the 2026 edition, drawing 2,500 applicants to a selection event held Saturday, June 20, at the Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Organizers aim to fill 600 positions, ranging from production staff and catering to hospitality roles, for the upcoming festival season.

Did You Know? The selection process for the 600 festival roles took place over an eight-hour window, running from 10:00 to 18:00, to accommodate the high volume of interest from local applicants.

The Economic and Social Impact of the Festival

According to festival promoter José María de la Cova, the event serves as a significant engine for local employment, with the majority of the 600 new hires sourced from the island’s youth population. Alfonso Cabello, vice-counselor of the Presidency of the Canary Islands, noted that the 2,500 applications represent a high level of interest from the local workforce, marking a first-time labor market entry for many participants.

The festival’s influence extends beyond temporary staffing. Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tourism of Tenerife, stated that the event positions the island as a premier international destination. Local officials, including Carmen Pérez of the Society of Development and Purificación Dávila of the Santa Cruz City Council, emphasized that the event acts as a bridge between the business community and job seekers, further stimulating the commercial activity of the city center.

Expert Insight: The concentration of hiring among the 18-25 age demographic suggests that large-scale cultural events are becoming critical entry points for youth employment in the Canary Islands. By integrating local labor into the event’s production chain, the festival creates a localized economic cycle that sustains commerce and hospitality sectors during the summer months.

What Happens Next

With the selection process underway, the festival is preparing for its three-day run scheduled for July 16, 17, and 18 at the port area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Given the projection of over 80,000 attendees, the 600 newly hired staff members will likely be central to managing the logistics and operations required for an event of this scale. Moving forward, the success of this hiring model could inform future collaborative efforts between the Sociedad de Desarrollo and local event promoters to continue utilizing major cultural gatherings as direct tools for regional economic development.

Edwin Rivera Tenerife Cook Music Fest 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people applied for the 600 available positions?
A total of 2,500 individuals submitted applications online and attended the selection day on June 20.

What types of jobs are available at the Tenerife Cook Music Fest?
The festival is hiring for various roles, including waiters, hostesses, production staff, office support, and general festival staff.

When and where will the festival take place?
The event is scheduled for July 16, 17, and 18 in the port area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

How might the integration of youth employment into large-scale cultural events reshape the labor market in the Canary Islands?