Msaplaomas Carnival 2012

Dates
25th Feb - 4th March 2011
Location
Las Palmas, Gran Carnival
Maspalomas Official Site

Description

Carnival in Maspalomas takes place in the town of Villa de San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Most of the events take place in and around the largest commercial center which is also the gay center - The Yumbo.

Carnival was originally a pagan rith which became part of the catholic festivities to celebrate the end of exceses and to get ready for the fast during Lent. In many places, carnival is celebrated over three days. These are the three days before Ash Wednesday, the day when Lent starts in the Christian calendar.

Carnival was prohibited in the whole state over the 40's, during Franco's dictatorship, although these festivities were clandestinely celebrated in some parts in Spain. In the Canary Islands, carnival was called "Winter Fiestas" in order to conceal its celebration before the dictator's eyes.

The big nights are the drag queen competition and the all-night street parties. Expect thousands upon thousands of revellers for each event. On the busier days you'll be hard-pushed to find that many Spanish not dressed in costume, everyone really gets in the carnival mood here.

Map

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