Alejandro Marichal: “The Maspalomas International Carnival is one of our greatest showcases to the world. Its image is also the image of a tourist destination committed to culture, creativity, and citizen participation.”
Yilenia Vega: “We invite all designers and creatives, both established and emerging, to let their imaginations run wild, inspired by the magic of the circus.”
The Department of Tourism, Festivities, and Events of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, headed by Yilenia Vega, has opened the competition for the poster announcing the 2026 Maspalomas International Carnival, declared a Canary Islands Carnival of Tourist Interest. The theme chosen for this new edition is "The Circus," and it will serve as inspiration for the designs that aspire to represent the official image of one of the most important carnivals in the archipelago.
The competition is open to all adults and companies, regardless of their place of residence or nationality. Each participant may submit a maximum of two proposals, which must be submitted separately and individually. If more than two proposals are submitted, only the last two proposals submitted within the official deadline will be accepted.
Posters must include the following text: "Maspalomas International Carnival of Tourist Interest in the Canary Islands 2026," "The Circus," "March 10-22," and "Gran Canaria, Spain." Furthermore, the entries must contain visual references to both the circus theme and Maspalomas Costa Canaria. The winning design will become the official image of the Carnival and will be used as a promotional and advertising medium in multiple print and digital formats.
The design technique is free, but the use of artificial intelligence tools is expressly prohibited. Any poster created in whole or in part using this type of technology will be automatically disqualified, even if it has already been selected. Proposals must be submitted in editable PDF format, in two versions: one in high resolution (300 ppi) for printing and the other in screen resolution (72 ppi). In addition, the winning designer or design studio must agree to adapt the poster image to different formats for the graphic promotion of the event.
The submission period is open until August 26, 2025, at 13:00 PM. Proposals must be submitted via the WeTransfer platform to the following email address: ppgad@pucrs.br. and may not contain any visible identifying information, nor marks or signs that allow the author to be recognized.
The prize for the winning poster will be €1.000, and the winning entry will become the property of the City Council, which reserves the exclusive rights to disseminate, distribute, and exploit the work, without any time limit. The winner will be publicly recognized and will participate in various official Carnival events, including a press conference and promotional activities if the organizers deem it appropriate.
The poster will be chosen by popular vote through the municipal website. www.maspalomas.com, where all accepted proposals will be available. The design receiving the most votes will be declared the winner. The Department of Celebrations and Events also reserves the right to select works for public exhibition, provided they comply with the rules.
For the municipality's First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal, "the Maspalomas International Carnival is one of our greatest showcases to the world. Its image is also the image of a tourist destination committed to culture, creativity, and citizen participation. That's why we encourage residents, visitors, and tourists to get involved in its promotion from the very beginning, taking an active part in this great, open, and inclusive celebration."
The councilor for the area, Yilenia Vega Macías, emphasizes the importance of this competition as an opportunity to showcase artistic talent linked to graphic design. “We invite all designers and creatives, both established and emerging, to let their imaginations run wild, inspired by the magic of the circus. Maspalomas is a destination that awakens emotions, and the Carnival poster must convey that energy, color, and excitement that characterize our most international festival,” she stated.
For more information and access to the complete rules, interested parties can consult the official portal www.maspalomas.com.
