How will the parade affect holidaymakers and residents?
On Saturday, 20 February 2027, the Gran Cabalgata will make its way through Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. According to the official carnival portal, the city will "come to a standstill" on that day: more than 100,000 mascaritas and around one hundred decorated floats and carrozas will take part.
Anyone travelling in the capital that day should expect significant traffic disruption. The route runs from Plaza Manuel Becerra to Parque San Telmo and is more than seven kilometres long. The Ayuntamiento has not yet published specific road closures or diversions.
For visitors from the south of Gran Canaria, this means: anyone wanting to see the parade should arrive early and plan to use public transport. Anyone not attending the parade should avoid the city centre that afternoon and evening.
Which route does the Gran Cabalgata take?
The Gran Cabalgata starts at Plaza Manuel Becerra and ends at Parque San Telmo. This is confirmed by the official carnival portal lpacarnaval.com. The route is more than seven kilometres long.
The Ayuntamiento has not yet published specific details of individual streets, parking restrictions or closed junctions. Details of special timetables for the guaguas (local buses) are also still missing.
How is Carnaval 2027 structured overall?
The Carnaval de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 2027 is themed "La música" and runs from 22 January to 28 February. This was announced by Héctor Alemán, the city's councillor for Carnaval, and Josué Quevedo, the artistic director.
The artistic director put the programme at four daytime events and five night-time events. Around 85 percent of the artists are expected to come from the Canary Islands. The Gala de la Reina is being moved from the traditional Friday to Monday, 8 February.
The Gala de la Gran Dama will in future take place on Fridays, on 5 February. Two consecutive Fridays are dedicated to the drag programme: the pre-selection on 12 February and the Drag Gala on 19 February.
What is new in 2027?
The main parade and the Burial of the Sardine are being separated. The parade takes place on 20 February, while the Burial of the Sardine will not take place until Sunday, 28 February. The city is therefore spreading the programme across two weekends.
Carnival Tuesday falls on 9 February. On 21 February there will be a senior citizens' carnival with music and dancing for older carnival-goers.
What information is available about prices and tickets?
The announcement published so far by the Ayuntamiento does not mention any admission prices, ticket sale start dates, registration deadlines or access restrictions. The specific venues had also not been fully announced at the presentation.
Details of free and paid events, traffic arrangements, closures and tickets must therefore be checked against the later official programme. This also applies to the Gran Cabalgata on 20 February.
The city has received the Eventsost certification for the carnival. According to the Ayuntamiento, it confirms the introduction of a sustainability strategy in the planning, production and operation of the event.
What happens after the parade?
After the Gran Cabalgata on 20 February, the carnival continues. The senior citizens' carnival is planned for Sunday, 21 February.
The final major concerts and carnival nights are scheduled for Friday, 26 February, and Saturday, 27 February.
On Sunday, 28 February, the carnival ends with the Burial of the Sardine.