Gran Canaria’s weather by month events calendar is dominated by two massive celebrations: Carnival in Las Palmas and Maspalomas Pride. Both draw six-figure crowds and rank among the largest events of their kind in Europe. Beyond those headliners, the island has a deep calendar of religious fiestas, food festivals, music events, things to do in Gran Canaria and sporting competitions spread across all 12 months. Here is what to best time to visit plan your trip around.
Major Events and Festivals in Gran Canaria
Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The biggest event on the island, drawing 200,000+ people over three weeks in February or early March (dates shift annually with the Easter calendar). The main events are the Drag Queen Gala (televised nationally, tickets EUR 20 to 35), the Gran Cabalgata parade (Saturday, free, along Avenida Jose Mesa y Lopez), and the Burial of the Sardine (the closing ceremony on Ash Wednesday, a mock funeral parade ending with a giant papier-mache sardine set on fire at Las Canteras beach). The daytime Carnival (Carnaval de Dia) on the final Saturday fills the streets of Vegueta with free concerts and street parties from noon to midnight. Costumes are essentially mandatory for the night events. Book accommodation in Las Palmas 3 to 4 months ahead, hotels fill completely.
Maspalomas Pride
One of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ Pride events, held over 10 days in the second week of May. Pride draws 100,000+ visitors to Playa del Ingles and the Yumbo Centrum, the heart of the island’s gay scene. The main parade (Saturday afternoon, free) runs along Avenida de Tirajana with floats, dancers, and music. The Yumbo Centrum hosts nightly pool parties, drag shows, and DJ sets. The Pride Beach Party at kiosk 7 on Playa del Ingles runs daily from noon. Most events are free; some club nights require tickets (EUR 15 to 30). Accommodation in Playa del Ingles books out 3 months ahead. The Yumbo Centrum has over 50 bars and clubs that stay open until 6am during Pride week.
Traditional Events and Festivals in Gran Canaria
Fiesta del Almendro (Almond Blossom Festival)
Held in Tejeda over the first two weekends of February. This festival celebrates the blossoming of the almond trees that blanket the central highlands in white and pink. Expect folk music (Canarian timple guitar), traditional dancing, local wine tastings, and almond-based sweets sold from street stalls. The central event on the main plaza is free. Tejeda sits at 1,050m elevation and can be chilly in February, bring a jacket. Combine with a hike to Roque Nublo, the trailhead is 5km from town.
Bajada de la Rama
A unique water-throwing festival in Agaete on August 4. Thousands of people carry pine branches from the mountains down to the sea while being drenched with water by residents along the route. The procession starts at 9am from the Ermita de las Nieves and arrives at the Agaete pier around midday. The event has pre-Hispanic origins as a rain-making ritual. Wear clothes you do not mind getting soaked and protect your phone in a waterproof pouch. The town of Agaete also has natural rock pools (Las Salinas) and excellent seafood restaurants at the port.
Romerias (Pilgrimage Festivals)
Throughout the summer (June to September), most towns hold a Romeria, a traditional pilgrimage where locals dress in Canarian costume, decorate ox-drawn carts, and parade to a local shrine with music, dancing, and free food and wine offered to spectators. The largest is the Romeria of Teror (September 7, eve of the Virgen del Pino feast day) which draws 50,000+ people. Other notable ones: Santa Brigida (late June), Valsequillo (late September), and San Mateo (late September). All are free to attend. Expect grilled meat, papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce), and free-flowing local wine.
neighborhoods guide Music, Film, and Cultural Events in Gran Canaria
WOMAD Las Palmas
The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival comes to Las Palmas for three days in early November. Set in the Santa Catalina Park and the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, WOMAD features performers from Africa, Latin America, and Asia alongside workshops, food stalls, and a global crafts market. All concerts and most activities are free. The festival draws 30,000 to 40,000 visitors. The 2025 lineup included artists from Senegal, Colombia, India, and Spain. Check the official WOMAD Las Palmas website for exact dates, typically the second weekend of November.
Las Palmas International Film Festival
Running for two weeks in late March or early April, this is the Canary Islands’ most important film event. Screenings take place at the Cine Monopol and the Perez Galdos Theater in Las Palmas, plus the Guiniguada Theater in Vegueta. The program focuses on independent cinema, with a strong Latin American and African selection. Individual tickets cost EUR 4 to 6; a 10-film pass is EUR 35. Most films are in original language with Spanish subtitles. The closing night awards gala is the main red-carpet event.
Festival de Musica de Canarias
A classical music festival held across all the Canary Islands from January to February. The Gran Canaria leg features performances at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas and the Perez Galdos Theater. The program includes symphony orchestras, chamber music, and solo recitals. Ticket prices range from EUR 15 to 40 depending on the performance. The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, perched on the Las Canteras seafront, is worth visiting for the architecture alone.
Sporting Events and Festivals in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria Marathon
Held in late January, the Gran Canaria Marathon starts and finishes at Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas. The course runs along the coastal Avenida Maritima with ocean views for most of the 42.2km. There are also half-marathon, 10km, and 5km options. Registration costs EUR 35 to 55 depending on distance and how early you sign up. About 4,000 runners participate. The weather at race time is usually 15 to 20°C, ideal for running.
Transgrancanaria
One of Europe’s toughest trail running races, held in late February or early March. The classic route covers 126km from Agaete in the north to Maspalomas in the south, crossing the entire island with 6,500m of cumulative elevation gain. Elite runners finish in 13 to 14 hours; the cutoff is 30 hours. There are also shorter distances: Marathon (42km), Advanced (65km), and Half (21km). The race is part of the Spartan Trail World Championship. Spectators can watch the start in Agaete and the finish at the Maspalomas lighthouse.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing World Cup (PWA Gran Canaria)
Pozo Izquierdo on the east coast hosts a round of the Professional Windsurfing Association World Cup every July. The wind here is among the most consistent in the world, regularly blowing 30 to 40 knots. The event runs for 7 to 10 days (exact dates depend on wind conditions). Spectating is free from the beach. Pozo Izquierdo is 10km south of the airport. Even outside the competition, this spot attracts windsurfers year-round and has a laid-back surfer village atmosphere.
