The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnaval 2023: The Parades
Carnival is a big, exciting party that happens in lots of places around the world. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, they go all out for it too. The city gets all vibrant and lively with tons of fun stuff like music, dancing, and people wearing crazy costumes. In 2023, their Carnival will be happening from February 11th to March 5th, so there’s a bunch of events for everyone to have a blast, whether you’re a local or just visiting.
In this article we list the parades, which are, for most people, the most fun events! Check the activities for the children’s carnaval, the shows and the contests!
Carnaval Tuesday
Tuesday February 21 – 12PM
On Tuesday, February 21st, 2023, the fun kicks off with the Batucarnaval. This event starts with the lively sounds of the Batucadas and Comparsas, and it’s set to be a lively morning of celebration. With the catchy beat of the drums, you can look forward to a parade that’s bursting with rhythm, joy, and all kinds of bright colors.
Grand Parade of Carnaval Groups
Saturday February 25 – 6PM – Castillo de la luz > mesa y lopez
The Grand Parade of Carnaval Groups is a fresh addition to the 2023 Carnaval schedule, happening for the very first time this year. It’s like a special gathering where Carnaval groups and the people who love watching them can come together. This parade gives you a sneak peek into the enchanting world of Carnaval and shows off the amazing skills and imaginative ideas of these groups. The parade will kick off at Castillo de La Luz and make its way to Mesa Y Lopez.
Children’s Parade
Sunday February 26 – 5PM – castillo de la luz > santa catalina park
The Children’s Parade is a vital part of the 2023 Carnaval in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It’s all about the kids having a great time! They get to pick their special leader, have a parade, show off their cool costumes, and watch the junior Comparsas and Murgas perform. This parade is their chance to join in the Carnaval fun, dress up in their costumes, and be a part of the celebration. It’ll begin at Castillo de la Luz and finish at Santa Catalina Park.
Grand Parade
Saturday March 4 – 5PM – Castillo de la luz > parque san telmo
The Grand Parade is the most exciting part of the 2023 Carnaval in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and it happens on the last weekend of all the festivities. This parade goes all over the city, covering more than seven kilometers, and it draws in over 200,000 people wearing masks and about 100 fancy cars and floats. The Queen, the Drag Queen, and the Grand Dame lead the way in the parade, and it’s like a connection between Carnaval and the old traditions. There’s lively music, dancing, and everyone wearing fantastic costumes. The parade starts at Castillo de la Luz and ends at Parque San Telmo.
Burial of the Sardine
Sunday March 5 – 7PM – SANTA CATALINA PARK > PLAYA DE LAS CANTERAS
The 2023 Carnaval in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will wrap up with a unique event known as the Burial of the Sardine. It’s a rather unusual spectacle where they do all sorts of things to remember and mourn the “death” of a fish. You’ll see women dressed in black, acting as widows and mourners. The parade begins at Santa Catalina Park and goes all the way to Las Canteras Beach, where they set the Sardine on fire. This marks the official end of the Carnaval, and it’s a bit like saying goodbye to all the fun. Now, it’s time to wait for the next Carnaval to come around.
