Maspalomas Carnival: Final Week — Drag Gala, Cabalgata & Naranjo

The Maspalomas Carnival 2026 enters its spectacular final week — and southern Gran Canaria becomes the epicentre of one of Europe's largest carnival celebrations from March 25 to 29. Following the weather-related postponement caused by Storm Therese, all remaining highlights of this year's edition under the theme "El Circo" (The Circus) have been concentrated into five intense days across Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Here is everything visitors and residents in the Canary Islands need to know.

Drag Gala: Mónica Naranjo Headlines at CC Yumbo

The rescheduled carnival highlights kick off on Wednesday evening, March 25, with the legendary Drag Queen Gala at the Yumbo Shopping Centre. Twelve finalists — including well-known names such as Hefesto, Sequins, Acrux, Shiky and Armek — compete on the main stage for the title of Drag Queen of the Carnaval Internacional de Maspalomas 2026.

Spanish pop icon Mónica Naranjo serves as the headline musical guest. Tourism councillor Yilenia Vega has described Naranjo as the perfect embodiment of the "strength, audacity and freedom" that define the Maspalomas Carnival. The gala will be broadcast live on Televisión Canaria.

Gran Cabalgata on Saturday: Up to 370,000 Visitors Expected

The week's absolute highlight is the Gran Cabalgata parade on Saturday, March 28, starting at 5:00 PM. The procession, featuring a maximum of 110 licensed floats, runs from El Veril through Avenida de Italia and Avenida de Gran Canaria to Avenida Touroperador TUI near the Maspalomas Lighthouse.

The parade was originally scheduled for March 21 but had to be postponed by one week due to Storm Therese. The storm brought wind gusts of up to 123 km/h to Gran Canaria and left numerous roads in the island's south impassable. The decision by San Bartolomé de Tirajana's municipal council to prioritise the safety of an estimated 370,000 attendees was widely welcomed.

Last year's edition attracted exactly 370,000 people to the parade route in Playa del Inglés — a figure that makes the Maspalomas Carnival one of the largest open-air events in all of southern Europe and underscores its significance as a premier tourist attraction in the Canary Islands.

Safety Measures: New Rules for Floats and Visitors

Organisers have implemented a tightened safety framework for 2026. For the first time, all float registrations must be processed through the digital platform GESTICAB. On the day of the Cabalgata, police and fire services will conduct a technical inspection of every vehicle from 9:00 AM on Avenida de la Unión Europea — only those passing the check will be cleared to participate.

New prohibitions include glass containers, pyrotechnics, flame throwers and open cooking on floats. All generators must run on diesel rather than petrol and be equipped with automatic fire suppression systems. The measures are part of ongoing efforts to maintain the carnival's status as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Canarias at the highest safety standard.

Storm Therese: Why the Postponement Was Necessary

Storm Therese caused significant damage across the Canary Islands between March 18 and 22. On Gran Canaria, more than 65 litres of rainfall per square metre were recorded in San Mateo within 24 hours, and ten roads across the island's interior remained closed on Monday. The island's reservoirs in the central and southern highlands, however, saw a welcome increase of 700,000 cubic metres within a single month — a silver lining for the island's water supply.

In addition to the Cabalgata, the Drag Gala, Carnaval Canino, Tourist Gala and Sun Carnival were all rescheduled. The decision was made by the Concejalía de Festejos under Yilenia Vega in coordination with the municipal emergency plan (PEMU) and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria's insular emergency plan (PEIN).

Sardine Burial: The Emotional Finale on Sunday

The traditional closing ceremony takes place on Sunday, March 29, with the Entierro de la Sardina — the symbolic burial of the sardine. The funeral procession departs at 7:00 PM from Avenida Estados Unidos at the Yumbo Centre and concludes at Anexo II of Playa del Inglés beach. A tribute concert honouring Dominican merengue legend Juan Luis Guerra provides the musical send-off at 9:00 PM.

For visitors unfamiliar with southern Gran Canaria, the Gran Canaria Tourism Guide offers a comprehensive overview of travel, accommodation and activities. Those staying beyond the carnival will find the KM.0 Fair at Parque del Sur on the same weekend (March 28–29) — a market showcasing local produce from 16 municipalities across the island.