The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnaval 2023: The Shows
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s Carnaval is a thrilling and all-encompassing celebration that unites people in their love for music, dancing, and dressing up in fancy outfits. This year, the Carnaval is happening from February 10th to March 5th, 2023. The festivities include a variety of events designed to appeal to all kinds of interests and preferences, making it a fantastic event for people of all walks of life. In this article, we’ve listed all the shows and happenings you can enjoy during this exciting time.
Check the other posts to learn more about the parades, children’s carnaval and the contests.
Opening Parade, Announcement and Concert
Friday February 10 – 8PM – Parque Santa Catalina – free entrance
This is when the fun really begins, and the most important folks are the ones sitting in the crowd. Before everything gets going, there will be a parade with lively drum groups and those catchy Carnaval beats. The official kickoff will have a few people from the Carnaval groups saying some words, and the evening will end with a big concert.
The Grand Dame Gala
Sunday February 12 – 20:8PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage – Free entrance
The Grand Dame Gala is a special event where they bring together older women who are part of the contest. It’s one of the most delightful parts of the program and showcases the talents of top designers and these female contestants.
Children’s Gala
SUNDAY February 19 – 6.30PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage – Free entrance
The Children’s Gala on Sunday is another big deal at the Carnaval. It’s when they pick the young boy or girl who gets to be the special leader. Some really talented designers try to outdo each other by making costumes for the kids in the running, and there’s a big crowd, including lots of other children who come to watch.
Drag Queen Preselection
Monday February 20 – 9PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage – Tickets €10/€15
The Drag Queen Preselection is the first step to pick the finalists for the Drag Queen Gala. More than thirty contenders take part in this, and tickets are in high demand – they sell out fast. While the preselection event isn’t shown on TV, the Drag Queen Gala itself gets all the attention from television cameras, and you can watch it later on YouTube.
Carnaval Queen Gala
Friday February 24 – 9.15PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage – Tickets €10
The Carnaval Queen Gala is a big hit during the Carnaval festivities. It’s where the Queen candidates get to flaunt their fantastic costumes, which are created by talented artists and supported by different sponsors. They perform in front of a massive audience of over 4,000 people, and the whole show is broadcast live on both national and international TV.
Chirimurgas Night
February 26 – 9PM – Santa Catalina Park – Free entrance
The Chirimurgas night is a recent addition to the Carnaval lineup, starting in 2022. The Chirimurgas are known for their humorous songs and the lively Carnaval vibe they bring to everyone. It’s a fun way to entertain the public and add some humor to the festivities.
The Social Integration Gala
Tuesday February 28 – 7PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage – Free entrance
The Social Integration Gala is another special part of the Carnaval that’s worth checking out. They’ve been doing this inclusive event since 2009, and it’s all about celebrating the diverse and welcoming spirit of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnaval. It’s a heartwarming and important show that highlights the community’s togetherness.
Ticket Sales Information
- Drag Queen Preselection: Ticket sales start on February 15.
- Carnaval Queen Gala: Ticket sales start on February 14.
- All other events: Free entrance.
On the first day of ticket sales for each event, all channels will be active at 9AM. Ticket office: Santa Catalina Park. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10AM – 1PM and 4PM – 8PM; Saturday & Sunday 10AM – 1PM. Online tickets at www.entradascarnaval.com.
Note: All events are held at the Santa Catalina Park Stage. The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnaval events are broadcast live on both national and international television as well as on the official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/lpapromocion.
