More than 50 years ago, the south of Gran Canaria experienced its first major carnival, although under a different name. In 1974, in the midst of the dictatorship, celebrations of this type were censored, so an alternative had to be found so that the celebration could take place without official restrictions. This is how the '1974 Maspalomas Winter Festival' was born, which was held between 20 and 25 February.
That carnival, although different from what we know today, had a festive structure that combined parades, folkloric groups, typical floats of the pilgrimage and Canarian wrestling. The most surprising thing is that the event also included a solemn mass at 12 noon, a strategy that helped legitimize the festivity before the authorities of the time.
The epicentre of that year's carnival was located in the area surrounding the Ecumenical Temple of Maspalomas, where the first parades and festive gatherings took place. Over time, the celebration gained popularity, attracting more and more people, until in 1983, 42 years ago, the Carnival found its home in the Yumbo Shopping Centre, consolidating itself as a benchmark in event tourism and cultural diversity.
In 2025, the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Town Council is celebrating more than half a century of the Maspalomas Carnival with a renewed focus and a promotional strategy that reinforces its identity as an event of International Tourist Interest. As a novelty, this edition incorporates a Daytime Carnival, designed for the enjoyment of the whole family. From March 18 to 30, the party will flood the streets under the motto “Amor a la Mexicana”, paying tribute to the culture and folklore of Mexico.
YOU CAN SEE NEWS FROM THE 2025 PROGRAM HERE
