The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnaval 2023: The Contests

The Carnaval in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a lively party filled with music, dancing, and people in amazing outfits. It’s a moment for people to unite and join in different competitions that highlight their skills and imagination. In 2023, there are a bunch of cool contests set to happen right in the heart of the Carnaval action at Santa Catalina Park. Read here more about the parades, the shows and the children’s carnaval.

All contests are being held at the Santa Catalina Park Stage.

Children’s Comparsa Contest

Saturday February 11 – 5PM – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The Children’s Comparsa Contest is all about celebrating the next generation of Carnaval enthusiasts. It’s when groups of young kids come together to impress the crowd with their moves, dance routines, and snazzy costumes. The goal here is to give every child a chance to shine and feel like a winner. It’s a way to acknowledge all the effort they put in throughout the year and make them feel special.

Adult Fancy Dress Contest

Saturday February 11 – 9PM – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The Adult Fancy Dress Contest is all about showing off your creativity and design skills. People can enter the contest on their own or as part of a group and compete for prizes in various categories based on their costumes. It’s not just about winning; it’s a fun and festive event where participants get to share their love for the Carnaval and their passion for dressing up, regardless of whether they win any prizes.

Murga Contest: 1st Round

Monday February 13 – 8.45PM – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Murga competition is a historic contest, with the first edition dating back to 1977. The Murgas are groups that sing songs that criticize social and political events, adding a note of irony and satire to the festivities. The competition is a three-night event, with the first round being held in the Santa Catalina Park in front of a packed audience.

Murga Contest: 2nd Round

Tuesday February 14 – 8.45pm – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The second round of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Murga competition continues to showcase the groups that sing songs that criticize social and political events. The competition is held in the Santa Catalina Park in front of a packed audience.

Murga Contest: 3rd Round

thursday February 16 – 8.45pm – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The third round of the Murga competition is quite intense. On this night, the groups give their all in their performances, and the judges have the tough job of deciding who makes it to the finals. There are also special judges who pick the best costumes. All of this happens in front of a big crowd gathered at Santa Catalina Park, adding to the excitement and tension of the event.

Adult Comparsa Contest

Friday February 17 – 8.30pm – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – free entrance

The Adult Comparsa Contest is an iconic event of the Carnaval, with costumes full of color and the beat of Batucada drums and Latin sounds. The contest brings together groups from different city districts who compete for awards in each Carnaval edition.

Murga Contest: Final Round

Saturday February 18 – 9pm – SANTA CATALINA PARK STAGE – tickets €5

The final round of the Murga contest is a big deal and something everyone looks forward to. It’s the moment when the best Murga groups go head-to-head to win prizes. This showdown happens right at Santa Catalina Park, with a huge crowd there to cheer them on and see who comes out on top.

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. Ticket sales for the Murga Contest Final Round starts Febryary 13.

International Body Painting Competition

Tuesday February 21 – 9PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage

The International Body Painting Competition is a truly mesmerizing part of the Carnaval. Skilled artists take center stage, turning their models into incredible living artworks. It’s not just painting; it’s a whole performance with carefully planned moves, music, and rhythm. The result is a breathtaking display of body art that fills Santa Catalina Park with dreamlike scenes, mythical symbols, and all sorts of imaginative themes.

This competition has gained global attention, and in 2022, it went international. The winner of the International Body Painting Competition gets a chance to compete at the World Bodypainting Festival in Austria, which is a huge deal in the body art world.

Dog Carnaval

Sunday February 26 – 12PM – Santa Catalina Park Stage

One of the events that people have really looked forward to in recent years is the Dog Carnaval. Here, dogs and their owners dress up in matching outfits and strut their stuff. It’s a competition that’s all about imagination and, most importantly, the well-being of the dogs. They’ve done this over a dozen times, and it’s always a hit.

The Dog Carnaval takes place during the day and draws a big crowd to Santa Catalina Park. Many people bring their own pets all decked out in costumes, even if they’re not officially part of the contest. At the end of the event, everyone, including the dressed-up dogs, gets to join in the fun on the stage.