Carneval on Gran Canary

The Carneval on the Canary Islands is simply breathtaking. Especially the "corsos", huge parades with music, dancing and joy of life show the importance of that event for the islands. Like on the Carribeans, phantastically decorated beauties are dancing on top of the bandwagons. They often wear costumes which are weighing more than 40 kilogramms. The headdresses alone usually reach a height of at least 2 metres!

Not only during the crowings of the Carneval Queens, the children's Queen, Drag Queen and the winner of the body painting competition one can hear the pulsating rhythms. There are audible in any regional centres of the island, e.g. Maspalomas, Agaete, Telde and Las Palomas. Since every regions has their own unique traditions, the variety on Gran Canary is especially diverse. Of course, radio and tv-stations are broadcasting everything.

The beginning of the 2 months long celebrations takes place in the North of the island in Las Palmas. The glorious end of the Carneval takes place in the South of Gran Canary. Here a paper sardine gets burned and astonishing fireworks awe the masses. Before doing so the final "corso" takes place, starting in San Fernando and going to the Yumbo-Centre in Maspalomas over the Avenida Tirajana.

Visiting the island during the Carneval season for sure is an unique and wonderful experience!