Gran Canaria Events

As with many Spanish islands there are a host of fiestas in each town and village these are fun entertainment for all ages and are particularly frequent during summer months.

Below we list some of the other annual you can expect on the island.  We will, of course be updating this as more 2008 dates are confirmed.

Gran Canaria Annual events

February

Fiesta del Almendro en Flor (Festival of Almond Blossom): This fiesta takes place early February when the almond trees are in bloom. Celebrated on a grand scale in the towns of Tejeda and Valsequillo, this festival is also a good opportunity to taste the local produce, such as almond wines and sweets, and to enjoy classic folk dancing and singing.

February/March

Carnival as in all the Canaries is a popular festival and is celebrated all over the island but the most extravagant events are in Las Palmas, San Bartolomé, Maspalomas, Agüimes, Agaete and Telde, each of these towns’ carnival festivities having its own style and theme. There is much revelry and colourful street parties and parades.

Las Palmas has an opera season that runs from Feb – June each year details to be advised

March

Las Palmas Film Festival is a programme of national and interantional feature and short films at different venues across the city. More details will be added when 2008 programme and dates are released.

April

Rally El Corte Inglés: This is Gran Canaria’s biggest car rally and it attracts many local and international competitors and has a great following .

June 

Festival Internacional de Música Popular: This is a folk music and dance festival in Las Palmas with international flavour, where both local and visiting groups perform.

July

Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Mas Heineken: This festival takes place during three weeks in July on all the Canary Islands – on Gran Canaria it is staged in Las Palmas – and includes jazz concerts by international musicians.

July also sees the PWA - Wave & Freestyle Windsurfing Grand Slam held in Santa Lucia de Tirajana. The world's best windsurfers take to the water for the latest round of the World Windsurfing Pro Tour. The Grand Slam features competitions in the wave, race and freestyle disciplines. The spectacular challenges are great to watch.

July – August is the annual Festival of Theatre and Dance annual highlights include Tango, Flamenco plus theatre and dance companies from aboard.  It is held in Las Palmas at Cicca (Centro de Iniciativas de la Caja de Canarias)

November

November usually sees the WOMAD, World of Music, Arts and Dance, event in the Parque de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas.  There is usuallly a programme of workshops, food and craft stalls and musical performances. 2008 dates and programme have not yet been announced.