Maspalomas International Carnival

Maspalomas Carnival and Parade

The Canary Islands are a land of contrasts and traditions but above all of influences from all the visitors who every year decide to come to the archipelago on holiday or to live. All this influence can be clearly seen in the south of Gran Canaria: varied gastronomy, Canarian fusions with other countries, people of different cultures and nationalities.

All this development has made Gran Canaria one of the favourite destinations for holidays or long stays here. In the south of the island we have multiple entertainment areas and festivals throughout the year, as well as the culmination of Canarian culture: The Carnival.

For the Canarians Carnival is not just another party: it is a way of life. The groups prepare themselves a year in advance to have everything perfect in the carnival season. And this is not only a custom among the older ones, since children there are already "murgueros" and "comparsistas" who live these celebrations with illusion and emotion. 

In Maspalomas the Carnival is already 40 years old! 

As every year, a theme is chosen and this year's theme is Los Musicales. The Color of Broadway will be, without a doubt, the center of the costumes of the Canaries and visitors who dare to participate in the well-known Parade: a parade full of lights, colors, feathers and masks that will travel the streets of Playa del Inglés to the rhythm of floats with music.  Thousands of people come every Carnival to enjoy this incredible and exciting experience, letting themselves be carried away by the culture and enjoyment of the Canary Islands. To the rhythm of Batucadas (groups of dancers and music), with the laughter left by our favourite Murgueros and their criticism of politicians and society, with the majesty of our Carnival Queens (including the Children's and Senior's Queens) and with the more than renowned Drag Queens with their dizzying heels, Maspalomas Carnival is preparing to welcome more than 300,000 people.

The dates for its celebration are from March 5th to March 15th.