Oh my goodness! Though the south should remain dry and sunny, strong winds are expected from the north, even the possibility of some mountain snow by the time we start into next week. Until then it’s one mighty weekend ahead with Carnival season starting in the capital, Las Palmas. Almond blossom festivities up in Tenteniguada village and Valsequillo, a short drive inland from Telde. Flower Power celebrations in Arguineguin throughout the weekend as well as historic cars cruising around on Saturday, and much more besides… here are some of our selected highlights for you to enjoy this last weekend in January!
26-28 January, Las Palmas
Carnaval de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Its the opening weekend of the Las Palmas Carnival with this year theme being Magic and Fantastic creatures. The festivities are from 26 January all the way through to the grand parade on 17 February and the “Burial of the Sardine” on Sunday 18 February (by which time the southern carnivals will have begun!)
On Friday, at 20:30, which is half an hour before the official start of the festivities at Plaza de Santa Ana, a parade that will leave from Plaza de Cairasco in the direction of Vegueta to summon the mascaritas to the proclamation announcer, comedian Kike Perez.
21:00 Pregón, the opening ceremony. The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria takes to the streets in the historic center of the city. Plaza de Santa Ana will host the proclamation that will announce the most multitudinous party of the capital of Gran Canaria. Mascaritas, murgas and comparsas, candidates for Queens, drags, the traditional characters of the carnival … everyone will meet in Vegueta to celebrate the festival of transgression and liberty as Winter comes to a close. At 22:00 The music group ‘Efecto Pasillo’ will offer a concert.
On Saturday, at 19:00 at the main stage in Parque de Santa Catalina the children’s comparsa dance troupes. This event is one of the proofs that the carnival feeling is experienced from a very young age. The groups perform before an audience that applauds not only the rhythm, the choreography and the costumes, but also the energy and enthusiasm with which the children face the staging of a year’s work.
On Sunday , Children’s costumes festival at 11:00 on stage in Plaza Santa Catalina.
Sunday morning is dressed in light and color on a day in which families and their children are the main protagonists. Ingenuity, fantasy and a good handful of imagination are the mian ingredients of a day, open to all children previously registered in the different categories of the parade – both groups and individuals. (Free entry until seats complete.)
On Sunday evening starting at 20:00 on stage in the Parque Santa Catalina, the Grand Dame is to be chosen among the most veteran candidates. (Free entry until seats complete).
27-28 January, Valsequillo
Ruta del Almendrero en Flor 2018 en Valsequillo
This year’s Almond Blossom Route in Valsequillo, one of the most traditional celebrations in the Canary Islands, is happening in the rural municipality located in the eastern mountains of Gran Canaria, about 20 minutes up from Telde.
Saturday 27 January, Día de Turista in Tenteniguada 11:00-15:30
A well attended event in this tiny traditional village with plenty to do and see including a market and traditional artisans, folkloric performances and Canarian music, tasting of typical Canarian dishes and various indigenous games.
Sunday 28 January, Almond Blossom route 10:00-16:00
The Almond blossom route visits 4 points within the municipality, La Barrera, Valsequillo casco, Las Vegas and Tenteniguada. An authentic chance to experience local communities on a very festive day surrounded by the blossoming almond trees which herald the coming of Spring.
Pig roasts: in La Barrera, Las Vegas and Tenteniguada
Exhibition of local/indigenous animals : Valsequillo casco (the main village)
Popular music : in Valsequillo casco
Folkmusic and dancing: in Valsequillo casco
A Threshing exhibition: in Las Vegas
27-28 January, Mogán
‘El poder de las flores. Paz, amor y solidaridad’
The town hall of Mogán is celebrating between January 27-30 the Day of Peace in Arguineguin with multiple activities for the third consecutive year within the scope of the project ‘The power of flowers. Peace, love and solidarity‘,
Saturday 27 January. Activities start at 17:30, at Plaza Pérez Galdós with a gathering of several NGOs (non profit associations) who will participate, with workshops and a multitude of activities related to the world of circus. In addition, there will be clowns who will act to energize the afternoon as “messengers of peace.” That same night at 21:00 attendees can enjoy a free music festival with performances by the Municipal Artistic Schools, the African band Nayaband, a hip hop group; Material de Contrabando and the music of Los Coquillos.
Sunday 28 January will start with a tour of the Olympics-styled solidarity torch, which will depart from Plaza de Pino Seco crossing through several points in Arguineguín, passed relay style between members of various groups and sports clubs from around the municipality of Mogán. Arriving at the David Jimenez Silva Sports Complex to light a flame of peace in a giant cauldron, the Manifesto for Peace will be read and multiple sports and leisure activities for the whole family will begin, gathered within the ‘Olympics for Peace’ initiative.
Among these physical and sports activities between 11:30-14:30 you can participate in paddle tennis, basketball, games with inflatables in the pool, spinning and zumba classes, among many other activities. (spinning and zumba classes will require prior registration, which can be done in the Sports Complexes of the municipality, while the rest of activities will be freely accessible.)
Saturday 27 January, Mogán
Rally clásico de Mogán
The 8th edition of Mogán classic rally on Saturday will depart and finish at Paseo de Los Marrero in Puerto de Mogán.
The first section will take place between 12:00 and 14:40, covering 65.5 km divided into six regularity sections. After a lunch stop in Artenara, the second part of the itinerary includes another six sections with a total of 95.5 km to arrive around 19:20 back to Puerto de Mogán for a comforting toast.
At 20:30 the trophies will be handed out, both the Clásico de Mogán and the Gran Canaria Classic Cup.
The Cordial Mogán Valle Hotel and the Paseo de los Marrero in Puerto de Mogán will be the official headquarters. The morning starts at 9:00 with the verifications and the day will end at 20:30 with the delivery of trophies.
This is a regularity event for historical vehicles and first scoring round of the regional championship of the XV Clásica Canary Islands 2018 and of the XII Classic Cup Gran Canaria 2018.
Saturday 27 January, Puerto Rico
Foam Party Angry birds Activity park
The whole family will get a little extra treat in the afternoon, for no extra cost, if you head on down to Angry Birds Activity Park on Saturday where there is a Foam Party happening (weather permitting) as the start of their spring time celebrations. Remember the ticket lasts all day, so you can come and go as you please… and they are open to 8pm at weekends.
Residents who bring their NIE/Residencia certificates will also benefit from special discounts and 2 for 1 invitations to further events later on in the season, and can even enter the Spring competition to win a Family Periodic Pass, giving up to 4 family members, who live here in the canary islands, the ability to come to the park as many times as they want to for a whole year!
Sunday 28 January, Parque Sur, Maspalomas
A Walk in the park with Lilly Rikhter
Join Lilly for a free hour of stretching and training in the south park at 12:00. Bring a yoga mat or a towel and water with you.
Russian fitness star, Lilly, has built up quite a following over the last two years offering free fitness and stretching every Sunday in the sunshine. You will feel amazing!
Sunday 28 January, Teror
Mercadillo de Teror
The surroundings of the Basilica del Pino is transformed every Sunday by the “Mercadillo de Teror”, one of the oldest street markets on the island with two centuries of history behind it.
The geographical situation of the municipality and, above all, the social impact of the cult of the Virgen del Pino, have turned the Market throughout its history into a meeting point for people from all over to sell and buy, from the typical products of the area, such as sausages, sweets, cheeses and bread, to textiles, crafts, religious items etc.
The Casco de Teror was declared a holiday park in 1932, so in addition to the Market -which has 140 stalls-, every Sunday the establishments of the historical centre open their doors and add to the commercial activity. The Market of Teror is part of the historical-commercial heritage of the municipality, maintaining a tradition of being outdoors in the open air around the Basilica, although it has also been adapted to current times. Market from 09:00-15:00
