The Maspalomas Carnival has its 2026 queen: Estrella Jiménez de Bruin was crowned Reina del Carnaval Internacional de Maspalomas on Sunday evening at the Centro Comercial Yumbo in Playa del Inglés. Her fantasy "Alquimia", designed by Josué Saavedra Suárez, transformed the stage into pure gold. CITA News, your Gran Canaria news source, reports on the most glamorous night in the south of the island.

Acrobat Becomes Queen

Estrella Jiménez de Bruin is no ordinary carnival queen. The half-Dutch, half-Canarian acrobat and dancer from El Tablero runs a children's acrobatics school with her partner Leví — "Los Kids de Leví y Estrella". When she applied for the gala, she was almost booked as an acrobat for the opening show — until the organisation realised she was a contestant.

"My partner opened the gala and I closed it," Estrella said on Monday. Since childhood she has been part of Maspalomas Carnival — in opening acts, at the Cabalgata, at the Yumbo. This year she fulfilled her childhood dream: the crown.

Queen Gala — The Facts

Queen 2026: Estrella Jiménez de Bruin

Fantasy: "Alquimia"

Designer: Josué Saavedra Suárez

1st Lady: Norma Ruiz Brito ("Raffinato")

2nd Lady: Coraima Martín Sánchez

Stage: 220 m² LED, 100 light points, circus theme

220 Square Metres of LED and an Open-Air Circus

The gala transformed the Yumbo's Plaza Central into a giant circus arena — fitting the 2026 carnival motto "El Circo". Ten contestants competed, presented by Raquel Sánchez Silva and Miguel Ángel Guerra. The technical setup was impressive: nearly 100 light points and over 220 square metres of LED screens simulated a glowing circus dome. Acrobats, equilibrists and jugglers accompanied the performances.

Musical highlight: Dominican singer Miriam Cruz had the audience dancing with her hit "La Loba". The comparsas Kisamba and Baracoa provided the rhythm for an unforgettable night.

The Gran Cabalgata Is Coming

The queen's coronation marks the emotional climax of Maspalomas Carnival — but the biggest event is still to come: the Gran Cabalgata on 21 March, the grand carnival parade through Playa del Inglés. Thousands of visitors, dozens of floats and the full colour of the south are expected.

More information from the Ayuntamiento de San Bartolomé de Tirajana (Maspalomas).