The Gala of the Grand Dame of the Maspalomas Carnival 2026 kicks off the 'Grand Circus Spectacle'

 

MASPALOMAS INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL PROGRAM 2026

 

The Terraza Habana at the Gloria Palace San Agustín Hotel hosted the press conference this Thursday to present the Gala of the Grand Dame of the 2026 Maspalomas International Carnival. First Deputy Mayor Alejandro Marichal emphasized that this event continues to solidify its position as one of the most important on the island, attracting growing support from sponsors and promoting one of the largest parades. Marichal expressed his special gratitude to the companies for their collaboration, stressing that the main objective is for the carnival "to remain grand and, above all, to be geared towards the people, our audience, and our neighbors."

 

For her part, the Councilor for Tourism, Festivities, and Events, Yilenia Vega, focused on the six candidates, whom she described as "protagonists brimming with energy and vitality" who demonstrate that "there's no age limit to enjoying Carnival." Vega explained that, as a new feature this year, the participants enjoyed several days of activities and socializing beforehand, including workout sessions at Elite Gym to build strength and spa days to relax before the competition. She also highlighted the technical evolution of the gala, noting that the costumes have grown in size over the past two years, exceeding three and a half meters in height, which guarantees a visually stunning spectacle.

 

 

Artistic director Josué Quevedo described the gala as a "very special event where emotion always runs high." Quevedo announced that the evening would include a moving tribute to Zoraida Loreto, a recently deceased Hairdressing and Makeup teacher at IES Faro Maspalomas, recognizing those who "give their all" for this festival. The director also emphasized that the Maspalomas Carnival is a space of freedom and welcome for everyone, refuting the popular saying by stating that here "there's always something for everyone," with no limits on the number of people and open to both residents and tourists.

 

Finally, the guest artists shared their enthusiasm for participating in this year's competition. Falete expressed that he had "fallen in love once again" with the islands and the six contestants, whom he described as "a true example of drive, determination, and joy." The artist promised to contribute his "grain of sand" with the music of southern Spain so that the audience could truly feel the energy. Similarly, Pepe Benavente said he was "very happy" to return to Gran Canaria and share the stage with Falete, adding that "words are unnecessary" to describe the energy of the contestants and encouraging everyone to come to Maspalomas for an unforgettable night.