Gran Canaria is known for its beaches, beautiful weather and gastronomy, elements that definitely stand out and come to be some of the most important features on the island. However, Gran Canaria is more than that and its culture, festivities and holidays is real proof for that interest that Canarians have about keeping their traditions and customs alive. 

Every year, plenty of celebrations and festivities are carried out in Gran Canaria and while some of them are more important and relevant than others, as a set these cultural parties show how Canarians perceive their traditions that have different natures; religious, native, cultural, for entertainment, expressions and more. 

Here are a few of the most important festivities carried out in Gran Canaria every year, with the religious elements seen quite clearly but also with other celebrations that are more cultural and for amusement.

Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 

The Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the most important festivity in the island of Gran Canaria, including historical and cultural characteristics and also being of the most ancient, since it has been present and carried out in the Gran Canaria´s capital for at least five centuries in a row. In 2017, this carnival celebration obtains the title of National Interest Tourist Party in Spain. 

Celebrated between January, February or March depending on the year, this carnival is a costume party with other cultural elements, such as the Gala de Elección de la Reina or Queen´s Election, incorporating as well musical presentations, murgas, comparsas, dances and the famous batucada. Parque de Santa Catalina is the main scenario of the celebration.

Among the events carried out in this carnival, there are: the Pregón or opening gala of the celebration, Queen´s gala and election, Drag Queen gala, murga contests, comparsas, costume contests and body painting events, canine carnival, cabalgatas, pasacalles, traditional carnival, fashion week, themed nights and many more. 

In terms of history, in short the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria started in 1521, very close to the date of the city's foundation and after the conquest of the islands. When Castilians and people from other European countries arrived on the island, it was the idea of some Genoese men that came with the idea of starting the “Carnaval primero” or First Carnival with Italian inspiration. 

Festivity of Nuestra Señora de Pino 

In Teror, every eighth of September is celebrated the religious festivity of Nuestra Señora de Pino, since the 16th century when the Virgin of Pino appeared and the region became the place of peregrination in the entire island. 

The festivity includes memorial and quite recognized acts in Spain and the Canary Islands, such as the Descent of the Virgin off of its traditional spot to a processional throne. The day before the eighth of September, on September 7th is carried out the traditional Romería ofrenda or Romeria-Offering where every municipality of Gran Canaria and the Canary Island are represented. 

Exaltation of the Holy Cross 

The Exaltación de la Santa Cruz or Exaltation of the Holy Cross is another religious festivity that takes place in Gran Canaria, specifically on September 14th. In details, when this date arrives the Cristo del Telde is put down and the Descent of Cristo de Telde takes place and 8 days later is returned to his niche.  

During the festivities, two thrones where the Christ is put are utilized to make a peregrination all over the island, with faithful throwing different religious objects and prayers. This is the way Canarians show their devotion to their Christian faith. 

Rama de Agaete 

Rama de Agaete is one of the most popular celebrations in Gran Canaria. Every fourth of August takes place the Bajada de la Rama or Descent of the Rama as most relevant act of the festivity, in which thousands of assistants dance to the rhythm of music that resembles old Canarian natives and their culture, and while agitating wooden sticks they get to the Virgen de las Nieves Sanctuary, at the island´s port. 

Important people in town organizing the festivity dress as what they called “cabezudos” or “papahuevos” with costumes that make them look with big heads, representing popular people that lived on the island in the past.