March 26, 2026, Centro Comercial Yumbo, Playa del Inglés

Drag Avalon wins the Gala Drag at the Carnaval Internacional de Maspalomas 2026

Twice Storm Therese had forced the cancellation of carnival's biggest night in Maspalomas. On Thursday evening it finally happened: 1,700 spectators filled the Yumbo Centre in Playa del Inglés, and Drag Avalon — real name Osvaldo Cabrera Rocha — took the crown with the fantasy "Y entonces florecí cuando nadie más me miraba" (And then I bloomed when no one was watching).

The results

Winner: Drag Avalon (Osvaldo Cabrera Rocha) — "Y entonces florecí cuando nadie más me miraba"

1st runner-up: Drag Armek (Pedro Llomar Miranda González) — "Yo no nací para reinar, nací para ser eterno"

2nd runner-up: Drag Ígnea (Sergio Encinoso Domínguez) — "Dame un grr, ¿un qué?"

3rd runner-up: Drag Acrux (Neftalí Betancor Rodríguez) — "Quien no arriesga no gana… ¿Y tú apuestas por mí?"

4th runner-up: Drag Sequins (Samuel José Torres Ojeda) — "Lo que el bisturí se llevó…"

Mónica Naranjo brings the house down

The gala, themed around "El Mundo del Circo" (The World of the Circus), offered far more than the twelve contestants' competition. Mónica Naranjo, who had landed on Gran Canaria on Tuesday and had to wait out the storm, delivered a live performance that had the Yumbo shaking. María Isabel also took the stage. The evening was hosted by Roberto Herrera and Drag Sethlas (Borja Casillas).

Tribute to the emergency services

Before the competition began, organisers and audience paid tribute to the emergency services who had worked non-stop during six days of Storm Therese. The obertura, directed by Josué Quevedo, combined the circus theme with an emotional edge. Drag Elektra, the 2025 winner, bid farewell to the crown in a final stage performance.

Street parties cancelled, Cabalgata on Saturday

Despite carnival's return, security services remained on alert: the Thursday night mogollones (street parties) were cancelled as emergency plans in San Bartolomé de Tirajana remained active. The programme continues on Friday with the Gala del Turista, Saturday brings the Gran Cabalgata, and Sunday's Entierro de la Sardina will close the 2026 carnival.

Maspalomas proves: carnival is stronger than any storm

Drag Avalon's victory is symbolic of the night's message: blooming when no one expects it. After a week in which Gran Canaria was in a state of emergency, the Maspalomas carnival has proven that no storm can keep it down.