Las Palmas in Gran Canaria hosts the largest carnival in the Canary Islands ; but it also attracts competitors and spectators from all over the world. Acrobatics, dancing, concerts and competitions take place everywhere.

The carnival kicks off with lots of street parties, known as verbenas del mogollon, in which thousands of people in fancy dress dance to salsa and merengue music around the street stalls until dawn.

In Parque Santa Catalina, a huge stage is erected, where open air concerts take place

A noteworthy event is the spectacular Drag Queen contest. Each year, the contest takes a different theme and the costumes become more outrageous as the competition gets increasingly fierce.