The Canary Guide Weekend Tips 15-17 March 2019

Enjoy the Ides of March on Gran Canaria with weather predictions for these last days of sub-tropical winter looking warm and bright, with possible light breezes, an occasional little cloud wandering past and just a touch of hazy calima bringing saharan sand in the air. There are plenty of Carnival festivities happening with the southern carnival season starting this weekend, as well as a major  cheese fair in the mountains, a road rally and not forgetting that Sunday is to be full of leprechaun, shamrock, fiddlers and the wearing of the green for our infamous St.Patrick’s Day celebrations.

14-17 March, Maspalomas
Carnival Internacional de Maspalomas

The southern tourist heartland of Maspalomas starts their Carnival festivities this weekend. You can see the full program here. The Theme For This Year is “Maspamoon”, in hommage to the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing in 1969, in which Maspalomas played an integral role.

On Thursday, the Inauguration, the Maspalomas Carnival Opening Gala, starting at 21:00 in the centre plaza of the shopping centre Yumbo.

On Friday there are free dance workshops at 19:00 in Yumbo and at 21:00 the Atodo Ritmo “in full swing” show and at 23:00 Mogollón street parties where everyone dresses up and enjoys the warm evenings of music and drinking.

On Saturday, starting at 17:00 Children’s Carnival and later at 19:00 Election of the Child Queen and in the evening at 23:00 Mogollón, an after party with music.

On Sunday at 21:00, Maspalomas chooses its Queen for the Carnival 2019. The gala starts at 21:00 on the main stage in the shopping centre Yumbo.

Our favourite health and fitness guru Lilly Rikhter is also participating as a candidate so get your cheering gear on and give her some support.

15-17 March, Mogán
Pre-Carnival festivities in Mogán

The main Carnival celebrations in Mogán are happening between 26-31 March, but there are some festivities starting this weekend to get you in the mood.

In Playa de Mogán! ? at Plaza Doctor Pedro Betancor León.
On Friday at 21:00 Ballet Sensacion presents : Las Vegas- show.
On Saturday at 21:00, lovely street parade with dancers and rhythmic music, followed by a party at the plaza.
On Sunday at 18:00 the children’s costume party with carnival pancakes, chocolate, games and workshops.

In Motor Grande, Puerto Rico
On Friday, as part of the neighborhood Carnival program, there is a children’s costume party at the Plaza between 18:00-20:00.
Chocolate And Carnival Pancake, Carnival workshops, games and animation as well as carnival fashion catwalk.

16-17 March, Artenara
II Feria Europea del Queso Artenara

The 2nd edition of European Cheese fair, organised by the Commonwealth of North, is held this year in the municipality of Artenara up in the mountains,

Opening hours on Saturday 10:00-19:00 and on Sunday 10:00-15:00

This Fair is organised in collaboration with the European Cheese Route Association, which was born in 2014 with the aim of joining efforts from different European local entities to make cheese a strategic axis of local economic development. The Commonwealth of North of Gran Canaria was integrated into this network of municipalities in April 2017.

During the weekend in Artenara you can taste and buy cheese from Cabrales (Asturias), Casar de Cáceres (Cáceres), Mahón (Menorca), Idiazabal (Basque Country), Villa Luenga del Rosario (Cádiz), Ripollés (Girona), Nisa and Fundãu (Portugal), in addition to the Commonwealth of Northern Gran Canaria and the rest of the Canary Islands.

There is also a cheese making workshops, music performances, artisan beer, wines.

16-17 March, Santa Lucia de Tirajana
Carnival in Santa Lucia

Carnival celebrations in Santa Lucia come to and end this weekend with the last of the festivities in Vecindario. The theme for this year festivities is “The big apple” New York.

On Saturday, Carnival Mogollón, the big Carnival party and procession parade with 40 floats. Departing from Cruce de Sardina (post office area) at 19:00 followed by a Verbeda de Carnaval (after party) in the Plaza de San Rafael with Grupo Acuarela and Grupo Arena.

On Sunday, the “Cabalgatilla” with all the carnival dance and music groups, Drag winner 2018, mascaritas etc , this one is more aimed at families. The carnival parade starts at 12:00 and will depart from Doctoral to Plaza de San Rafael and will be followed by the Burial of the Sardine.

Saturday 16 March, Teror
Carnival in Teror

On Saturday, Teror celebrates a Family Carnival Day.  The theme for this year carnival is Caribbean.

There is a lively street parade that will depart at 12 noon, from Plaza del Puente del Pino to Plaza de Sintes, continuing with the Marc Anthony Tribute Concert ‘Viviendo’, at 13:00 in the Plaza de Sintes. Children’s activities  from 16:00 to 19:30 in Plaza de Sintes, with inflatable, games, mechanical bull and threads.

At 20:15, the 3rd edition of the high heel obstacle course, with teams of 3 members. The race is from Calle Riego to Plaza del Pino, where the participants must pass two tests, one in a team and another individual.

And that night, from 21:00, there will be the Cremation of the Sardine, to end the Carnival celebrations to be followed by a lot of music with a concert of “Miuelle Viejo” and “Los 600”; and the night will be closed with Verbena de la Sardin, by DJ Promaster and Güira Latina.

At the same time, around 20 bars and restaurants of the municipality  are participating with a Carnival route of “pincho y tapa”. The route will run from 12:00-16:00, with a free bus service. ( a free bus service that will depart from Avenida Venezuela, next to Parque de Sintes Park. ) Pincho and drink will be offered for €2,50.

Saturday 16 March, Santa Brigida
XXXV Rallye Villa de Santa Brígida

Rally this Saturday and this time the 35th edition of the Rally Santa Brigida. And when there is a rally going on it also means road closures in the area. The road will be closed 30 minutes before the start of each of stages.  On Saturday there will be 7 stages in four sections, and the fun starts at 09:00.  More information can be found here.

And the map for the rally here

Saturday 16 March, Santa Maria de Guía
Carnival in Guía

On Saturday, the Plaza Grande and Las Huertas will serve as the setting for the Family Carnival, an appointment with fun that will start at ten in the morning and will continue until seven in the evening with gymkhana, parades, parade of costumes catwalk, workshops, holly powder party, masterclass of zumba carnavalera and live music.

The theme for carnival 2019 is Journey through time, time travel.

Sunday 17 March, Las Palmas
St.Patrick’s Day

All Irish bars ( and many others ) on the island will have special day celebrations on Saturday.

Here are few ideas where there is for sure some good vibes and celebrations :

In Puerto Rico, All the bars and the shopping centers will be in the festive spirit, just like the 19th hole and pretty much all others.
Pub Durty Nellys in Aqua de la Perra, Puerto Rico
In Playa del Ingles, the big one is going to be in the “Irish centre” the Shopping center Aguila Roja
The Old Brogue in shopping center Playa del Cura
Las Palmas :  St. Patrick’s Day in el Mercado del Puerto starting at 17:00
An in Playa de Mogán Jungle Rock

Sunday 17 March , Agaete
Tradicional Mercado Artesanal

Agaete shows its best products in the Artisan Market . The month of March welcomes the traditional Craft Market that takes place in the neighborhoods of Puerto de las Nieves on Sunday from 11:00 to 16:00.

Discover the handcrafted products enlivened by Trio Canteras, who will be responsible for entertaining the morning in the emblematic coastal neighborhoods.

The Artisan Market, takes place in the municipality on the second Sunday of each month, is organised by the Town Council of Villa de Agaete, through the Department of Crafts, and has the collaboration of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through the Foundation for Ethnography and the Development of Canarian Crafts (Fedac).