The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 24-26 February 2023

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is celebrating a month of carnival until 5 March 2023. The glamorous era of the legendary New York nightclub «Studio 54» is the theme for this year’s festivities.  Though every type of costumery is to be expected!

See more events for Carnival Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 

This Weekend in Santa Catalina: 

On Friday 24 February: Gala de la Reina at 21:00. The “Studio 54” Carnival will crown its most disco Carnival Queen. (ticketed event)

Saturday 25 February: The Carnival parade at 18:00 and later at 22:00, concert by Carlos Baute

Sunday 26 February:
at 12:00 The Canine Carnival which is one of the most eagerly awaited events in recent years, the Canine Carnival is a parade of pet dogs in costume accompanied by their loving owners, at which imagination combined with a respect for animals and their wellbeing are the only limits. Free admission until full capacity. Parque Santa Catalina., followed by music at 13:00.
at 17:00 The Children’s Parade at 17:00.
at 21:00 Noche de las chrimurgas

Carnival party nights will be celebrated in the surroundings of the Plaza de la Música. On Fridays and Saturdays from 21:00 to 03:00 with two different stages (Disco Salsa on Plaza de la Música and Urban Dance on Parque el Rincón ).These stages will also host different Daytime Carnival sessions. All concerts are free

♥ Friday 24 February:
Plaza de la Música: La Mekánica by Tamarindos, Nueva Fuerza and DJ Promaster
Litoral El Rincón park: Red Bull ‘Batalla de Los Gallos‘ Exhibición (freestyle rap competition – exhibition), Juacko, DJ Airán Nuñez

♥ Saturday 25 February:
Plaza de la Música: Banda Larga, Grupo Acuarela and DJ Red Bull
Litoral El Rincón park: Tutto Dúran, Dellacruz and DJ Nichel

Sardina del Sur, in the municipality of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, are celebrating their carnival festivities between 22-25 February 2023.

The “Las carnestolendas sardineras” are celebrating their 40th anniversary and the festivities are organized by the Neighborhood Association of Sardina del Sur and have the support of many companies in the town and the City Council. The theme of this edition is dedicated to Asia.

On Friday, 24 February: ‘La Polvajera’ talcum powder party at 21:30, a tour through the streets of the town, starting from the plaza.
At 22:30 the wake for the deceased sardine will begin. At 23:30 there will be a festival with the Arena group and DJ Suárez.

On Saturday, 25 February: The Burial of the Sardine at 19:00, with the traditional route that will leave from Las Chácaras, and will end in the town square, with batucada and the Charanguita los amigos and Carroza (float) Beletén. At 22:00 there will be the reading of the will, the traditional burning of the sardine and fireworks. At 22:30 there will be a festival with the group Leyenda Joven, and the djs Yeray Peñate and Jose Medina.

Gáldar will finish their carnival celebrations this Saturday, 25 February 2023. The theme for the festivities this year is “Los Locos Años 60”, (The Swinging Sixties aka The Crazy Sixties).

Friday, February 24,
at 21:00 Great Gala of the wake, the vigil of the Sardine in Recinto Cultural La Quinta
at 23:00 Mogollón, the party of the Wake of the Sardine

Saturday, February 25,
at 21:00 The traditional Burial of the Sardine parade, leaving from the Municipal Sports Centre and touring the streets of the historic centre. Great Burial of the Sardine of the Carnival of Gáldar 2023.
at 23:00 Mogollón of the Sardine, the last event of the carnival 2023, the after the party at Plaza de Santiago.

*A Mogollón is a “primitiva” street party, evoking the wild excesses of the prehispanic natives and cavemen of yore

The municipality of Agüimes is continuing their Carnival celebrations until 5 March 2023. The allegory this year is ‘The Great Musical’, ‘El Gran Musical’, dedicated to the great musicals of cinema and theatre. The Agüimes Carnival is one of the most famous in the Canary Islands for its unique combination of tradition and modernity. See more events for Carnival Agüimes.

This weekend:

On Friday 24 February: Full evening of “Murgas” satirical street choir groups and festivities, starting at 20:00 at Plaza del Rosario and the fiesta continues until it’s very late…

On Saturday 25 February: Street Carnival – Daytime Carnival from 12:00 until early hours of Sunday… A full day and night of Carnival mayhem with exhibitions, high heel race, street parade, music, dancing and more music and dancing … Fiesta areas are: Plaza Ntra. Sra. del Rosario, Plazoleta Orlando Hernández, Plaza San Antón, PLaza Santo Domingo and Calle Sol.

On Sunday 26 February: Children’s dance at 12:00 and at 13:00 family costume contest.

Villa de Moya is celebrating Carnival between 20-26 February 2023.

This weekend:

Friday 24 February: Children’s carnival at 10.30 with the participation of the municipal schools through the streets of the city centre.
Music at Parque Pico Lomito from 21:00. Tribute to Selena and Star Music.

Saturday 25 February: Carnaval de Día
Daytime Carnival
at 16:00 performances by local dance groups in front of the church.
at 17:00 lively street parade from the church to Pico Lomito park.
from 18:30 concerts at Parque Pico Lomito

Sunday 26 February
Artisan and commercial fair between 10:00-14:00 on Calle Miguel Hernández. Attractions for children at Parque Pico Lomito between 11:00-14:00. Concert by ‘Cuenta Atrás’ by the church of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria at 12:30.

The highest altitude mountain village on the island, Artenara is celebrating their Patronal Festivities in honour of San Matias, 23-26 February 2023. The main day of the festivities is always the last Sunday in February. Saint Matias the Apóstol has been the Patron Saint of Artenara since the 17th century and was named the Patron of the Pinares de Gran Canaria in 1996.

On Sunday, 26 February, the main day of festivities includes among other events, a solemn eucharist at 12:00 followed by a religious procession with the image of San Matias at 13:00.

“The municipal village of Artenara is located 1,270 metres above sea- level and has a most charming small community atmosphere. Here you can enjoy the epic mountain landscapes at the heart of Gran Canaria. Visit the viewpoint Unamuno and the interesting little Ethnographic Museum of “Cave Houses“”

In July 2019, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee added Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape to its List of World Heritage Sites in recognition of the ancient society of the Canary Islands, the roots of which stem from the populations of North Africa, which managed to develop their own culture in complete isolation for more than 1,500 years before the Spanish invasion.

The archaeological sites contained within the Risco Caído landscape reflect the culture of the ancient peoples of the island, a unique process of evolution undergone by the Amazigh people from North Africa who lived in isolation until they were conquered by the Crown of Castile in the 15th Century. The volcanic crater of Caldera de Tejeda overlooks this area, which exists within the municipalities of Artenara, Tejeda, Agaete and Galdar.

Gran Canaria will once again welcome the world’s best runners to Transgrancanaria trail’s stage sporting event taking place from 22 to 26 February 2023. The event will return with its usual races, although with significant changes in the routes: Classic, Advanced, Marathon, Starter, Promo and Kids, in addition to the El Gigante Vertical Kilometer, which will return for the second consecutive year after the success of the last edition. 3500 participants and all the places full, it is the most popular trail running sporting event on Gran Canaria, and billed as one of the toughest mountain race events in the world.

Transgrancanaria is extending the event this year, with departures every day, from different locations, and repeating the spectacular finish line in Parque Sur (Maspalomas) for the longer distances, as well as the delivery of numbers and the Trail Zone, which will return to the majestic Expomeloneras Convention Centre.

“It will be busy Friday evening on Las Canteras beach and in the south of the Island, Parque Sur is the finish line and will also host the kid’s race, so a busy few days in the area.” 

This weekend:

On Friday 24 February, the Classic 126 km will start from Las Canteras beach at 23:59 and the runners will travel across Gran Canaria all the way to Maspalomas, Parque Sur. Runners have max. 30 hours to finish the route.   

On Friday 24 February, the new Marathon will depart at 09:30 from the village of Tejeda to Maspalomas, Parque Sur
also on Friday morning: Transgrancanaria KIDS in Parque Sur de Maspalomas starting at 10:00. Competition for ages between 4-15 years old

The Open Mountain Bike Arguineguín returns on February 25 and 26 with a time trial and two distances. Organized by the Costabiker’s CD section with the collaboration of the Mogán City Council and the Gran Canaria Island Cycling Federation, it will open the Gran Canaria XC Championship.

• Friday is always market day in Playa de Mogán in the morning. This popular market is in one of the prettiest fishing harbour towns on Gran Canaria, very popular with tourists.

• On Saturday, the Maspalomas market offers all kinds of textiles, Objet d‘art and other articles, located now in a new venue at Parque Europeo in Playa del Inglés, while the municipal market is being re-built. It is one of the markets most enjoyed among visitors along with Friday’s in Playa de Mogán;
El Mercadillo de Maspalomas is on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00.

• On Saturday in Arguineguín, a small second-hand market on Plaza Negra (the marketplace) in the morning 09:00-14:00 with a wide range pre-loved treasures.

• On Sunday, the “rastro” second-hand market, ****The second-hand market now takes place in the Ciudad deportiva de Maspalomas, next to football field 2 and close to Pepe Chiringo and Parque Sur de Maspalomas.

• This Sunday, the biweekly little farmers’ and Artisan Market of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria. The market is in the little park between the main road and the entrance of the Angry Birds Activity park.

CARNIVAL LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA 

The Carnival party nights will be celebrated in the surroundings of the Plaza de la Música. On Fridays and Saturdays from 21:00 to 03:00 with two different stages (Disco Salsa on Plaza de la Música and Urban Dance on Parque el Rincón ).These stages will also host different Daytime Carnival sessions. All concerts are free.

♥ Friday 24 February:
Plaza de la Música: La Mekánica by Tamarindos, Nueva Fuerza and DJ Promaster
Litoral El Rincón park: Red Bull ‘Batalla de Los Gallos‘ Exhibición (freestyle rap competition – exhibition), Juacko, DJ Airán Nuñez

♥ Saturday 25 February:
Plaza de la Música: Banda Larga, Grupo Acuarela and DJ Red Bull
Litoral El Rincón park: Tutto Dúran, Dellacruz and DJ Nichel

THE 19th HOLE MELONERAS

Bar & Grill in the shopping centre Varadero in Meloneras. Live Music every night from 22:00 

MULLIGAN’S GRAN CANARIA IN PLAYA DEL INGLÉS

The lively Gastro Bar in Playa del Inglés. Live music every night, great food and a wide selection of beers.
Open every day from 10:00-02:00 

Friday: Kevin O Sullivan
Saturday: The Champions
Sunday: Misfits, Hits4Life