May’s rolling round again, bringing one of the best-loved mega events that make Gran Canaria a hub of LGBTQ tourism: Pride.
While Maspalomas Winter Pride is Europe’s leading winter event of its kind, May’s Maspalomas Pride marks the start of a sizzling summer in the Canary Islands.
Gran Canaria is a hallmark for holding this legendary event, initially conceived as a way to celebrate LGBTQ rights and going on to become a top international festival.
In the context of Pride, the island is unique. Highlights of Gran Canaria’s Pride include the safe environment, wonderful weather - so you can enjoy the sun’s rays - and, of course, a wide range of accommodation, leisure and activities specifically for the LGBTQ sector.
So what have we got to look forward to this year?
From 5 to 15 May, the south of the island will become a hub where thousands of people from many countries can enjoy music, the beach, and pool parties in a setting that’s the envy of the rest of Europe.
In the midst of this, the Yumbo shopping centre is at the heart of the celebrations. During the day, the bars and terraces are full of people keen to mingle and celebrate, and at night, DJs, singers, gogo dancers and drag queens will hit the centre stage with live shows by Canarian, Spanish and international performers.
Spanish DJs Iván Pequeño, José Lagares, Lydia Sanz, Manuel de Diego, Roxell, and Marc have already booked their slots to give it their all, and will be joined by artists from Brazil, the UK, Italy, Holland, Germany, Chile and Venezuela.
As far as the singers go, Soraya is all set to liven up the evenings. She’s an old hand at Pride events and really knows how to get the crowds on the floor. Soraya’s part of a line-up of mainly Spanish and British performers who’ll get the evenings buzzing at the Pride and provide entertainment at the best-loved LGBTQ events: pool parties, boat trips, concerts…
Yep - it’s not just about the nightlife. The Pride includes loads of fun, attractive options like catamaran excursions around the south coast of the island and a fun-filled day at Aqualand, in Maspalomas. Slides, pools, excitement… The fun’s guaranteed at this water park!
You can also explore the waters around the south of the island on a sailboat, spotting the dolphins and small whales commonly found in Canarian waters that are easy to see a few miles off shore.
Or you can combine beach and sun with inland expeditions to discover the island’s ravines and spectacular scenery, on jeep rides specially designed for this event.
To top it all off, Maspalomas Pride offers you the chance to see Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A day in the island’s capital is a must to explore the city, go shopping and visit the Poem of the Sea Aquarium, home to more than 300 marine species.
In addition to these fee-paying events, the programme includes free concerts and parties. On Thursday 5 May there’s the Most Popular Party, at the Yumbo shopping centre, a wild session where well-known DJ Kilian and High Heels Performance will turn the Yumbo into a hilarious pop scene.
On Thursday 12 May, at the same venue, you can catch ‘The Temple of LaLeche’, with Rashad Miraz and Phil Romano
The celebration continues!
This year Maspalomas Pride includes three other activities, on 11 and 12 May: the legendary ‘Wet & White’ on 11 May, at the idyllic Amadores Beach Club - perfect for enjoying the sea, the large pool, jacuzzi, sunbeds, VIP booths and loads of music to liven up the party.
On May 12 Amadores Beach Club is hosting the stylish pool party Taboo Party, with US DJ Tom Stephan, UK DJ Sharon O’Love and local DJ PK80.
Thursday 12 May also includes another very popular activity: a boat trip where you can do water sports and dine on board with live music.
In short: 10 days of music and loads of events on a friendly, welcoming island with a great track record in holding magnificent events you just can’t say no to.
See you at Maspalomas Pride!
