Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 10 February, 2020.— The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival has been associated since its earliest days with the picturesque La Isleta quarter, built under the wing of the international traffic generated by the Port of Las Palmas. This is why, even today, Santa Catalina Park, next to the cruise-ship dock, is the heart of the main events of the fiestas. But the Carnival isn’t limited to this iconic square: the original city, the historic Vegueta quarter, has gone from strength to strength once more in recent years when it comes to celebrating Carnival out in the street.

In fact, the pregón (the official opening of Carnival) is held in Santa Ana Square; the square's layout anticipates the colonial cities that the Spanish Crown was later to build on the other side of the Atlantic, with the two de facto authorities facing each other. On one side, the imposing Cathedral, on the other, the Casas Consistoriales, the City Hall buildings, still in use today for the City Council meetings.

However, the most important event of the festivities in the old city takes place on Saturday 15 February: the Daytime Carnival in Vegueta (from 12.00 hrs onwards, and at 11.00 hrs in Santa Ana for the junior activities). There, next to the first streets to be laid in a capital which was founded in 1478, around the Casa Colón (where the discoverer Columbus made an official stopover before his first journey to America) and the riverbed of the Guiniguada Ravine (which separates the old city from the more modern one), crowds gather together in a huge popular fiesta. A grand scale celebration on a unique stage, the pure heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The Vegueta Carnival is full of life, spontaneous and fun-packed. If anyone is passing through the city on these dates, a visit to the historic quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a must. In full daylight, the fancy-dress party is at its absolute best.

Obispo Codina, Calvo Sotelo, Pelota and Mendizábal Streets, and Mesa de León Square will be full of party-goers enjoying this fiesta; the schedule includes street bands and concerts with bands playing dance music live, and Carnival groups.

Detailed programme:
11.00 to 12.00 hrs. Junior Carnival, Santa Ana Square
12.00 to 20.00 hrs. Live music

13.00 hrs. Carnival Street Band > Mendizábal Street to Obispo Codina Street

Photos: Quique Curbelo