Carnival Las Palmas
de Gran Canaria 2023

Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2023

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 2023

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.

The dates for the 2023 Carnival have yet to be confirmed, however the theme has been announced, “Studio 54” – an allegory that will turn all the events in the coming programme into a great disco from the 1970s.

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. Each year 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. For a truly luxurious escape, consider the Royal Hideaway a 5-star grand deluxe hotel with stunning views, fantastic service and world-class amenities.
• 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.

Las Palmas Carnival Schedule 2023

Awaiting the confirmation of dates for the forthcoming carnival. Key events include:

• Carnival Proclamation and Official Opening.
• The Body Makeup contest.
• The Carnival Queen Gala.
• The Drag Queen Gala

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 bars include

• Abuela Bar Las Palmas – Small gay bar near the beach with a popular terrace.
• Motown Bar – Funky gay cafe with a full bar and disco music.
• Black Door – Gay Cruising Bar men only

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action

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