Event Dates
From: Friday, February 7, 2025
To: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
On the island of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas Carnival is one of the oldest and most traditional festivals on the Canary Islands.
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 2025
- Next Edition: Friday, Feb 7th to Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 – The 2025 carnival is themed “The Olympics”
- 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 March 1st – 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 February 28th – 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 February 16th – A Pre-drag event – Candidate Selection, from 8.30 pm
- Friday March 7th- The Drag Gala, from 9.30 pm.
- Both events are held at Santa Catalina Park.
The Grand Parade
- Saturday March 8th – 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
- Friday, February 7 Presentation of Candidates
- Thursday, February 13 Announcing parade
- Friday, February 14 Adult Costume Contest, Carnival Night
- Saturday, February 15 Child Throne, Carnival Night
- Sunday, February 16 Murgas and Children’s Comparsas, Drag Preselection
- Monday, February 17 First Phase of Adult Murgas
- Tuesday, February 18 Second Phase of Adult Murgas
- Wednesday, February 19 Third Phase of Adult Murgas
- Friday, February 21 Comparsas Competition, Carnival Night
- Saturday, February 22 Final of Adult Murgas
- Sunday, February 23 Canine Carnival, Great lady
- Monday, February 24 Integration Gala
- Tuesday, February 25 Body Makeup Contest
- Friday, February 28 Queen’s Gala, Carnival Night
- Saturday, March 1 Carnival parade, Day Carnival, Carnival Night
- Sunday, March 2 Choreographic Carnival, Meeting of Batucadas and Comparsas
- Monday, March 3 Carnival Monday, Allegory 2026 Presentation, Carnival Night
- Tuesday, March 4 Children’s Carnival, Family Carnival
- Friday, March 7 Drag Queen Gala, Carnival Night
- Saturday, March 8 Great Parade, Carnival Night
- Sunday, March 9 Day Carnival: Widows in the Sun, Burial of the Sardine
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
Book early your hotel & stay close to
all the fun next to the gay bars
AC Hotel by Marriott close to all the fun
offering a great pool and stylish rooms.
For further information and advice on
Carnival Las Palmas, The Website
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-fiendly terrace bars popular with a variety of gay guys, locals and visitors.
C. León y Castillo, 330, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Design Plus Bex Hotel features a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The property is situated a short distance from Parque de Santa Catalina. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a shower. Guest rooms at Design Plus Bex Hotel include air conditioning and a wardrobe. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
C. Eduardo Benot, 3-5, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Located 300 m from Las Canteras Beach, AC Hotel Gran Canaria offers a gym and an outdoor pool. Rooms have a balcony with city views. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. The air-conditioned rooms have wooden flooring and functional modern design. They all include satellite TV and a pillow menu. A coffee machine is also available.
C. Alfredo L Jones, 40, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Located on the beachfront of Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas, Reina Isabel has a rooftop pool, a free spa and gym, and a sun terrace overlooking the Atlantic. Free parking and Wi-Fi. All air-conditioned rooms at Hotel Reina Isabel feature parquet floors and a balcony. They are equipped with flat-screen satellite TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
C. León Tolstoi, 1, BAJO, 35010 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
All modernly decorated rooms in the hotel are equipped with a TV and a ceiling fan. The private bathroom is fitted with a shower. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Featuring a Balinese Bed, guests can enjoy a drink on the terrace at Maresía Canteras Urban Hotel. Speaking English and Spanish at the reception, staff are always on hand to help.
C. del Gral. Vives, 65, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas
Trendy gay bars with regular drag shows
Calle Dr. Grau Bassas, 36, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Gay bar. Nice atmosphere and music from de 60, 70 y 80 (back to our roots). Comida and nice cold internacional Beers ,Cocktails, Drinks
C. Mariana Pineda, 9, 35007 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Gay bar in the heart of Las Palmas. Whatever your gender identity, ethnic origin, religion, age or nationality: Abuela Loves You.
Open six days a week from 19:00 hours / 7 pm. Sundays closed.
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We have chosen hotels in Las Palmas that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
A taste of what to expect at one of the biggest Carnival events in Europe.