Weekend in Gran Canaria: Fetish Pride finale, Big Bang and Falete

The highlight of the weekend: Pride finale and Pilar festival

The Maspalomas Fetish Pride enters its final days: the 14th edition runs 1–12 October around the Yumbo Centre, and this second weekend brings pool parties, socials and the major club nights at Club Kiki.

Meanwhile Las Palmas celebrates the end of the Fiestas del Pilar in Guanarteme. On Friday, singer Falete performs in the Plaza del Pilar (21:30, free), and because Monday 12 October is a public holiday, the festival extends to the closing concert by King África at 16:00. For seated music, the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus; for vintage fans, the Big Bang Vintage Festival in Parque San Telmo offers free entry.

Friday, 9 October

Las Palmas. At Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča sings «Garanča canta Strauss y Falla» with the Filarmónica de Gran Canaria at 20:00. In Parque San Telmo the Big Bang Vintage Festival opens at 16:00 (through Sunday, free). In Guanarteme, Falete takes the stage at the Fiestas del Pilar, Plaza del Pilar, 21:30, also free. Teatro Víctor Jara presents «Maridaje» with Germán López and Augusto Báez at 20:30. The Alboroto announces a «Fiesta Argentina»; the club has not disclosed time and price.

The south. Opening weekend of the second Pride phase: during the day, the Puppy & Handler Pool Party at Basement Studios (10:00–20:00, €15); from 17:00, the «Puppy Gran Canaria 2026» election (free); evenings, European Clubs Socials at Tom's Bar (20:00–23:00). The Factory hosts «BOUND» (21:00–~04:00, €10 including drink), Zoo Men's Bar presents «Pups After Dark» from 21:00 (€10 including drink). NOXON runs «Leather vs Rubber».

Agüimes. As part of the Fiestas del Rosario, «Noche de Guateque» with 70s and 80s music plays on Plaza del Rosario at 20:30.

Saturday, 10 October

Las Palmas. At the Hotel Santa Catalina, pianist Mariam Chitanava performs at Santa Catalina Classics, 20:00. Los Gofiones at the Auditorio are sold out according to promoters. Big Bang Vintage Festival continues from 16:30 into its second day, and Guanarteme's Pilar programme continues. In Parque Santa Catalina, «Fleje de Flow Fest» is listed for Saturday and Sunday; we could not verify an organiser.

The south. The day of Pride pool parties: «The Big Pool Party» at Tropical La Zona (12:00–18:00, €20 online), evenings the Rubber Poolside Social at Basement Studios (21:00–23:00, free) and the bar gathering «Skins, Punks and Friends» at Bar Junior (19:00–21:00). Night belongs to Club Kiki: «HardOn – Fetish Pride Edition» from 23:00–06:00 (€15). Alongside The Factory with «SKINTIGHT» (21:00–~04:00, €10 including drink), Zoo Men's Bar with «Gear Night · After Dark» from 21:00 (€10 including drink) and NOXON running «Masters and Cigars». Permanent venues remain the Cruise Bar (since 1994), Tom's Cruising Bar and Strong Construction on the ground floor; Sauna Enjoy Maspalomas on Avenida de Tirajana is the only sauna in the south.

Sunday, 11 October, and Monday holiday

Sunday begins at Basement Studios with the Closing Pool Party (10:00–18:00, €15). In the evening Zoo Men's Bar hosts «Bear Den · One More Sunday» (from 21:00, €10 including drink), Club Kiki presents the «DILF» closing party (23:00–06:00, €15) — a second source places this on Monday, so check with the organiser beforehand.

In Las Palmas, pianist Fred Hersch performs at Teatro Pérez Galdós at 19:00 for Jazz Otoño; Teatro Guiniguada presents the Ensemble Sonido Extremo (VI Festival Contemporáneo) at 19:00. In Guanarteme comes the Romería honouring the Virgen del Pilar and near midnight the fireworks at Las Canteras beach.

Monday, 12 October (National holiday). The Pilar festival closes in Guanarteme with the procession at 13:00, community paella and concert by Tacones Rojos at 13:30, and King África's closing concert at 16:00; all performances are free.

Las Palmas: weekend clubs

The capital's weekend nightlife spreads across three districts. In Vegueta and Triana, the bars around Calle Mendizábal and Plaza de Santa Ana fill up from late evening. The best-known venue is The Paper Club on Calle Remedios: a hall for around 400 people, programming between indie concerts and DJ nights. Alongside it the mainstream club Alboroto, open Saturdays until five in the morning, and the rooftop terrace La Azotea de Benito at Centro Comercial Monopol, Fridays and Saturdays 5 pm to 2 am.

This weekend the neighbourhood focus is clear: in Guanarteme, just behind the beach, the Fiestas del Pilar run until the public holiday on 12 October — with Falete on Friday, Romería and fireworks on Sunday, and King África on Monday. Those wanting to continue after the festival can reach Guanarteme on foot from the Canteras mile. The Alboroto announces a «Fiesta Argentina» on Friday.

Around Parque Santa Catalina, Chester draws a young crowd with two floors and commercial music. The subculture corner is served by El Baladero, a cultural association with electronic series such as Aurora. Very few venues charge entry — you pay at the bar.

The south: Yumbo, CC Cita and the lifestyle scene

The Yumbo Centre is marked by the Pride finale: four storeys, largely LGBTQ+, open to all. Drag shows run every night: at Ricky's Cabaret Bar with the main show around 22:30 with free entry, at Sparkles Show Bar on the second floor with karaoke from 21:00 and show at 23:00, and at Chez Funny Boy's, Buddies, Centre Stage and Terry's. The evening begins on the terraces of Spartacus, Eiffel, Voulez Vous, Gran Café Latino or Adonis; the Wunderbar plays Eurovision Night on Fridays. After midnight Mykonos and Coco Loco take over, finally Mantrix until 06:00, weekends with minimum spend. Those seeking commercial charts find them at Kasbah Centre.

Steps from the Yumbo, in the heart of Playa del Inglés, sits CC Cita — the hub of the south's lifestyle and swinger scene. The largest club of its kind is the Swingers Club Secret in the basement: Reggaeton and Spanish House, over 500 guests on busy nights, Friday and Saturday 22:00–05:00. Fun4all is quieter, with several playrooms and its own BDSM room, Saturdays with «Dirty Disco Night» from midnight. Add the meeting points HOTSPOT on the second floor (daily 20:00–02:00, Fridays with live DJ), the Comeback Bar (20:30–01:00, no playrooms), Plan B, Tantra and Majestic GC, formerly Mario's Bar. In nearby CC Sandia, Infinity SW Club is open. Entry from 18 everywhere; ID required.

The Cruise and fetish scene runs special programmes for the Pride finale: The Factory behind Yumbo Spar with «BOUND» Friday and «SKINTIGHT» Saturday (each 21:00–~04:00, €10 including drink), Zoo Men's Cruising Bar with themed nights across all three days (from 21:00, €10 including drink) and NOXON on the first Yumbo floor with «Leather vs Rubber» and «Masters and Cigars». Permanent addresses include the Cruise Bar (since 1994), Tom's Cruising Bar and Strong Construction on the ground floor; Sauna Enjoy Maspalomas on Avenida de Tirajana is the only sauna in the south.

And live music: Café Mozart 2 in CC Anexo II is the top venue for live music and the Sunday-morning session. Tipsy Hammock Bar on Paseo Costa Canarias serves craft cocktails and music until 02:00 on the roof terrace. Café Bolle Jan in CC Cita brings drag and live music from 22:00; the Irish bar Dunes & Tunes in Maspalomas fills after dark, and Cafe del Mar Meloneras on Plaza del Faro offers open-air early evening.

FAQ

Where can I find the Maspalomas Fetish Pride schedule?

The official programme runs 1–12 October; tickets for pool parties and club nights are available online through organisers and sometimes at the door. Many bar socials are free.

What's happening on 12 October, the public holiday?

In Guanarteme in Las Palmas, the Pilar festival ends on Monday with procession, communal paella and concerts through King África's performance at 16:00; all events are free.

How late do the clubs stay open?

Moma Club in Las Palmas is open Fridays and Saturdays until 06:00; Club Kiki in the Yumbo Centre runs the Pride parties from 23:00–06:00. Drag shows in the Yumbo begin around 22:30.

What's the entry fee for Big Bang Vintage Festival?

Entry in Parque San Telmo is free according to the schedule; the festival runs 8–11 October.