Latest Gran Canaria News, Views & Sunshine
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 31 May – 2 June 2024
Summer is already upon us as we celebrate the first weekend of June. Festivities for John the Baptist and San Antonio de Padua are just getting starting. Patron Saint festivities in San Fernando de Maspalomas are coming to an end this weekend and the religious observances of Corpus Christi will see handmade “carpets” of salt in the streets celebrated this Sunday, worth a road trip to go to see.
The Canary Guide to ‘Día de Canarias’ 2024 – Canary Islands’ Day celebrations
#DíadeCanarias – The Canary Islands’ Day
Canary Islands Day, 30 MAY is an annual bank holiday throughout the archipelago. It’s good to remember that government offices, banks, and many local shops etc. will be closed.
On the 30th of May 1983 The Canary Islands officially became an Autonomous National Region of Spain when The Government of The Canary Islands Parliament sat for the first time. The day has been marked ever since by all municipal town halls, on all 8 islands, in each of the two provinces that make up the archipelago, as the official day for celebration of all things Canarian.
You can expect nearly every town or village to have some sort of public event happening on Thursday, some including Wednesday and even the weekend, with locals dressed in traditional post-conquest clothing and performing folk dances as well as tastings of local produce among other attractions. You might have already seen the shopping centres and shops having loads of Canarian products to sell.
Of course, as tourism has long been the main focus of the economy here you’ll also find representations of traditional foodstuffs like gofio, potatoes, cheeses, mangoes, avocados, ropa vieja, almonds, wines, rum, honey rum, mojos rojo and verde and many items besides on display in hotels and tourist information centres
This is truly a celebration. Here we list just the tip of the iceberg, with a taste of the options for events that will be taking place to celebrate this Canaries’ Day and this week ahead.
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 24-26 May 2024
Operation Kilo: We want you to donate non-perishable food items for families in need at supermarkets this weekend
The last weekend of May and it is going to be a busy one as Día de Canarias, Canary Islands’ Day (30 May 🇮🇨) approaches and will celebrated next Thursday. A festive atmosphere has already begun and will be seen all over the archipelago over coming days; in the town centres, church squares, schools, shopping malls and across all the islands.
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 17-19 May 2024
A busy mid May weekend ahead on Gran Canaria. Full sunshine has been taking a little break for few days but hopefully will not disturb too many of the lovely events taking place. There are patron saints’ festivities, a Tomato Fair, traditions, a demonstration in support of Palestine, Museum day, concerts , markets and sports on offer.
A Pride In Name Only: From Community Celebration to Commercial Spectacle
Maspalomas Pride, once a grassroots celebration created by the local LGBTQ+ community, has increasingly shifted towards commercialisation, losing touch with its original spirit and the businesses that once thrived on its success. Members of GLAY (Gays y Lesbianas Asociados del Yumbo), who played such a crucial role in establishing Pride with the Ayuntamiento de San Bartolomé de Tirajana town hall, and others, have long warned that since the so-called “Freedom” association took over their annual event, it has deviated from the community roots out of which it first grew, transforming into a large-scale dance party devoid of its authentic, international charm.
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The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 10-12 May 2024
A splendid May weekend ahead with an array of events happening on Gran Canaria. From several Patron Saints’ festivities to the Maspalomas PRIDE Parade. Flowers on offer in three different locations. April fairs, an authentic and traditional market experience in Vega de San Mateo and even a historical reénactment on Las Canteras. A crazy, wonderful weekend starts here!
Mogán’s Controversial Proposal to Tax Tourists: Local vs. Regional Authority
In a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate, Mogán’s still serving Mayor, La Alcaldesa O Bueno, is chasing proposal to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays that looks set to bring millions of extra euros into the municipal coffers. This tax, unique in Spain, would mark Mogán as the first municipality to implement such a levy, ostensibly to support public services benefiting from tourism activities. However, the plan is surrounded by contention, not only within the Canary Islands but also at a national level, stirring discussions about municipal autonomy and regional responsibilities.
Minor Earthquake Detected in Teror, Gran Canaria
An earthquake struck Gran Canaria in the early hours of Tuesday, May 7, as reported by the National Geographic Institute (IGN). The tremor, with a magnitude of 2.3, occurred at a depth of approximately 4 kilometers.
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 3-5 May 2024
What a gorgeous, and busy, May weekend here on Gran Canaria, with Mothers Day also celebrated this Sunday across Spain. The Rally Islas Canarias will be closing some mountain roads on Friday and Saturday, and there are many special markets to choose from this first weekend of the month. Flower arrangements in Gáldar, Guía cheese fair this Sunday in Montaña Alta, and Maspalomas Gay Pride just getting started.
Restoring Connections: The New Mogán Tunnel Project on Gran Canaria’s GC-500
The long-awaited Mogán Tunnel project, officially approved by the Canary Islands Government’s Department of Public Works, Housing, and Mobility, marks a significant milestone in restoring safe and efficient transportation between Taurito and Playa de Mogán, two key tourist areas on Gran Canaria. This project, spearheaded by Rosana Melián, the Director-General of Road Infrastructure, is set to transform local and visitor experiences by replacing a hazardous stretch of the GC-500 road that has been out of service due to severe landslides nearly five years ago.
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 26-28 April 2024
It’s going to be a suberb last weekend of April. There are events galore on offer to celebrate Springtime on Gran Canaria, from strawberries to cheese, from patron saint festivities to celebrations of nature, from books to jazz, and then some. Let’s hope the weather is not going to be an issue, with some rain forecasted.
Canary Islands Setting Record Tourism Numbers Amidst Major Protests Calling for Sustainable Development
Today, on April 20, 2024, the Canary Islands are witnessing a widespread protest aimed at challenging the current development model heavily reliant on tourism. This significant event is set to occur simultaneously across all eight islands of the archipelago, as well as in various cities internationally including Málaga, Granada, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, and Berlin. The protests are unified under the slogan “The Canary Islands have a limit.”
The Canary Guide #WeekendTips 19-21 April 2024
It’s the third weekend of April and what a warm month it has been. The big ‘Gran Canaria Me Gusta’ fair is on to enjoy during the weekend at INFECAR. Challenge Mogan Canaria, the triathlon event will take place this Saturday and the GC-500 will be closed in the morning from Anfi to Taurito. And these are the last nights to enjoy the popular little Jazz Festival in Puerto de Mogán.
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