February is the month when one of the most famous Carnivals in Spain is held in Gran Canaria. Carnival of Las Palmas (Carnaval de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) is taking over the streets of the city with its colors, smiles, dances and lots of visitors from all over the world. It is definitely worth visiting for all the sorts of tourists. There are plenty of attractions and events for kids, nightlife party or music lovers, dancers, just watchers and even pets. Yes, yes – there is a specially dedicated pet-carnival!
Everyone is dressing up at the time of the Carnival – salespersons in the supermarkets, grand daddies and grand mothers in the parks and streets, locals and visitors, students, kids, dogs and cats. Prepare to feel it – Carnavaaaal!
Where to get your carnival costume?
You can buy your costume in almost any of the shops in Las Palmas during the carnival time. So starting from the little Chinese shops in Puerto de Canteras distric and finishing with the big super market chains like Hiperdino, Carrefour, Mercadona. There is one specialized carnival costumes shop on the up floor in El Muelle shopping centre. El Muelle is located in Puerto, just opposite the Santa Catalina square.
Locals are more precise and they usually make their own costumes quite in advance. This lets them be unique and participate in the contests!
Events of Las Palmas Carnival include:
- concerts and contests in Park of Santa Catalina,
- The Parade along the city of Las Palmas (6-7 km. distance), which starts in Las Canteras beach,
- Drag Queen Gala,
- Theme nights,
- and the spectacular closure event – the Burrial of the Sardine in the sea with a lot of dramatized tears and fireworks.
