Maspalomas Carnival 2026: The Complete Guide to Gran Canaria's Biggest Festival

The Maspalomas Carnival — officially the "Carnaval Internacional de Maspalomas" — is one of the most important festivals in the Canary Islands, designated a Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Canarias. Every year in February or March, Playa del Inglés and the Yumbo shopping centre transform into a giant stage for nearly two weeks: galas, parades, music, costumes and a Cabalgata that regularly attracts over 300,000 visitors. CITA News, your news portal for Gran Canaria, follows the Maspalomas Carnival with up-to-date coverage and this evergreen guide.

Maspalomas Carnival 2026: "El Circo" Theme

The 2026 edition runs under the theme "El Circo" — the circus. The theme shapes the decorations, floats, gala performances and the entire visual identity of the carnival. The Yumbo's Plaza Central was transformed into a giant circus ring with over 220 square metres of LED screens and nearly 100 lighting points.

The 2026 carnival started on 10 March and extends — with interruptions due to Storm Therese — through to the end of March. CITA News documented the "El Circo" theme and opening in detail.

Programme: Galas, Cabalgata and Highlights

The full 2026 carnival programme spans nearly two weeks with daily events. The key highlights:

The Queen's Gala is the emotional centrepiece. In 2026, Estrella Jiménez de Bruin — a half-Dutch, half-Canarian acrobat from El Tablero — was crowned Queen. Her "Alquimia" fantasy, designed by Josué Saavedra Suárez, captivated judges and audience alike. Read our full coverage of the Maspalomas Carnival Queen 2026.

The Drag Queen Gala is the carnival's most internationally recognised event — a spectacle of glamour, performance and provocation that positions Maspalomas globally as an LGBTQ+ tourism destination. In 2026, the gala was postponed to 25 March due to Storm Therese. Star guest: singer Mónica Naranjo.

The absolute highlight: the Gran Cabalgata, the grand carnival parade through Playa del Inglés, is the largest carnival procession in the Canary Islands with over 300,000 visitors and 115 floats. In 2026, the Cabalgata was postponed from 21 to 28 March due to Storm Therese — full details in our Cabalgata update.

Beyond the major galas, there's the Carnival Canino (costume competition for dogs), the Gala del Turista (designed for tourists), the Mogollón parties (street parties in the Yumbo) and the traditional Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) as the symbolic end of carnival season.

Updated 2026 Schedule (After Postponements)

Why Maspalomas? History and Significance

The Maspalomas Carnival has existed since the 1970s and has evolved from a local festival to an international event. San Bartolomé de Tirajana — the municipality covering Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés — invests substantial resources annually in the carnival, which serves as an economic engine for tourism in the south of Gran Canaria. Hotels, restaurants and shops report record revenues during the carnival period.

The carnival is deliberately timed to follow the Las Palmas Carnival, which typically starts two weeks earlier. This allows visitors to experience both. While Las Palmas is considered the culturally "weightier" carnival, Maspalomas scores with its tourist infrastructure, weather and atmosphere in the Yumbo.

Tips for Tourists and Visitors

Getting there: Playa del Inglés is about 30 minutes from Gran Canaria Airport via the GC-1 motorway. During the Cabalgata, parts of Avenida de Tirajana are closed — plan alternative routes. Public buses (Global) run regularly but are overcrowded on Cabalgata days.

Accommodation: Hotels in Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas are in high demand during carnival weeks. Early booking recommended — especially for Cabalgata night and the Drag Gala. Many hotels offer special carnival packages.

Costumes: There's no dress code, but costumes are expected and celebrated. Many shops in the Yumbo and Avenida de España sell costumes, wigs and accessories. Creativity knows no limits — from elaborate ball gowns to improvised group costumes.

Safety: The Maspalomas Carnival is considered safe. The municipality deploys additional police and security personnel. Nevertheless: minimise valuables, watch for pickpockets, and at major events like the Cabalgata, know the emergency exits. During weather warnings — as in 2026 with Storm Therese — always follow official instructions.

Weather: The carnival takes place in late winter. Daytime temperatures are usually 20–24°C, dropping to 15–17°C in the evening. Rain is rare but not impossible — 2026 showed that Storm Therese can significantly disrupt the carnival.

Carnival and Tourism in the South

For Maspalomas and the entire south of Gran Canaria, the carnival is more than a festival — it's an economic driver. San Bartolomé de Tirajana has one of the lowest unemployment rates in its history, driven by tourism. The carnival amplifies this: hotels are fully booked, restaurants report record revenues, and international coverage puts Gran Canaria in the headlines as a travel destination.

All CITA News Carnival Coverage

This guide is regularly updated. Last update: 28 March 2026. After the Cabalgata takes place, we will add post-event coverage and photos.

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