Carnival Las Palmas
de Gran Canaria 2026

Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2026

On the island of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas Carnival is one of the oldest and most traditional festivals on the Canary Islands, filling the city streets with an explosion of colour, joy, music, and dance.

• The return of the Carnival this Summer for a one-off celebration will fill Las Palmas. Book your hotel early. Stay close to all the Carnival activities in the centre of town at the Occidental Las Palmas, a 4 star hotel with spacious modern rooms offering stunning views of the city.

Carnival 2026

• Next Edition: Saturday 24th January 2026 – Sunday 1st March 2026.
• The 2026 celebrations are all about the fun and flash of Las Vegas, the city famous for legends like Elvis and Sinatra
• Las Palmas Carnival is a massive festival filled with music, dance, costumes, and parades, attracting visitors from around the world.
• Events include the Carnival Drag Queen Gala, costume parades, music troupes, and floats, parading through Las Palmas at all hours, day and night.
• Carnival in Las Palmas has been celebrated since 1574. The event attracts visitors from Spain and beyond for a week of memorable events.
• Upgrade your Las Palmas stay at the Royal Hideaway a 5-star grand deluxe hotel, a luxurious hotel  with stunning views, fantastic service and world-class amenities.

Where is the Carnival celebrated?

• Las Palmas Carnival is celebrated across the city, with street parties and events in various locations. Official events and galas are hosted in Santa Catalina Park. Between the Cruise Ship Pier and Las Caneras Beach, the park is the nerve centre of Las Palmas Carnival. Events are held in a large outdoor setting. Las Palmas Carnival attracts more than 500,000 people.
• Stay close to the park at The Lumm Hotel with large rooms, modern decor and just a short walk to the stage shows.
• The Carnival stage features a spectacular 400 sq metre LED screen with giant scenes in keeping with the annual theme. Each year the stage set and scenery wow visitors with shows and performances broadcast live on Spanish TV. The Drag Queen gala is one of the most anticipated events, and people queue for hours to get a seat to watch the show.

Opening Parade (Cabalgata)

• Saturday – Awaiting dates – The Carnaval kicks off with a grand parade featuring floats, dancers, and musicians.
• It’s a spectacle of color and energy that sets the tone for the festivities.

Queen Election Gala

• Friday – Awaiting dates – The election of the Carnival Queen is a highlight of the celebrations.
• Contestants in elaborate costumes compete for the title of Carnaval Queen.
• The creativity and craftsmanship of the costumes are astounding.

The Drag Queen Gala

• Sunday – Awaiting dates – A Pre-drag event – Candidate Selection, from 8.30 pm
• Friday – Awaiting dates – The Drag Gala, from 9.30 pm.
• Both events are held at Santa Catalina Park.

The Grand Parade

• Saturday – Awaiting dates –  The Gran Cabalgata (The big Carnival parade) will start at 5 pm.
• The Carnival parade of floats runs for approximately seven kilometres, beginning at the Castillo de La Luz and ending at San Telmo Park.

Full Schedule

• To be confirmed.

Gay Las Palmas

• Stay close to the old town at Veintiuno, a boutique adults-only hotel with a fantastic terrace, great breakfast and friendly staff.
• Less famous than its flamboyant gay sister, Maspalomas, the gay scene in Las Palmas is a little more low key with several gay and gay-friendly terrace bars popular with a variety of gay guys, locals and visitors.
• Head to Las Terrazas de Mariana de Pineda, an avenue of bars with outdoor terraces filled with gay locals and visitors. Other districts worth visiting include the commercial street Triana and the historic district of Vegueta.

Popular Gay Bars

• Instinto Bar – Busy gay bar with drag shows, great cocktails and friendly bar staff.
• Motown Bar – Funky gay cafe with a full bar and disco music.

Recommended Hotels in Las Palmas

The following hotels are close to the Carnival celebrations and a short ride to the bars and clubs:

BULL Reina Isabel    AC Hotel by Marriott    Design Plus Bex Hotel    Maresía Canteras