Festival de Música de Canarias
January-February
Three decades old, this classical music festival takes place across the whole Canary archipelago, with many of the biggest events taking place on Gran Canaria itself. Well-known international performers are commonplace, while local talent is also showcased.
Carnaval Las Palmas
February
In place for more than five centuries, the Carnaval Las Palmas is a fast-paced, colourful celebration that occurs in the run-up to Lent and involves a flurry of costumes, masks, parades and musical concerts. Every town and village gets involved.
Gay Pride Maspalomas
May
Gran Canaria has a strong gay-friendly reputation, something evidenced each year in entertaining fashion by the week of high-octane events that mark Gay Pride Maspalomas. Expect boat trips, pool parties, fashion shows, discos and, at the end of the week, a lively parade.
Virgen del Pino
8 September
One of the most important religious dates on the Canarian calendar, the Virgen del Pino (‘Virgin of the Pine’) is marked by a mass walk to the village of Teror. It commemorates the date in 1492 when the Virgin is said to have appeared.
Fiesta de la Naval
October
Gran Canaria has a rich maritime heritage, having been a popular port of call for ships crossing the Atlantic, and this annual fiesta takes place amid considerable fanfare. It primarily remembers the attacks on the island in 1595 by Sir Francis Drake.