Gran Canaria · Bear Carnival
Bear Carnival Maspalomas, Europe's biggest bear gathering
Bear Carnival Maspalomas is the great bear gathering of southern Gran Canaria and, according to its organisers, the largest and most international bear event in Europe. It was born in 2015 in the warmth of the Carnaval and today draws some 3,000 people from all over the world each spring to the Centro Comercial Yumbo in Playa del Inglés. In 2027 it runs from 8 to 18 April —now separated from the Carnaval— with almost seventy events: pool parties, catamaran cruises, island excursions and the Mister Bear election. Here you'll find the official dates, the programme and where to stay, with a countdown to the next edition. It's part of LGBT+ Maspalomas and of the year-round pride calendar.
8 abr–18 abr 2027
What it is
A week of bears in the heart of the Yumbo
Bear Carnival brings together the bear community —bears, cubs and admirers— from all over the world, with a strong showing from northern Europe escaping the winter. Since its first edition in 2015 as "Bear Week", it has grown from around thirty events to more than seventy official events across eleven days, becoming the largest gathering of its kind on the continent.
The epicentre is the Yumbo Centrum, the world's biggest LGBT leisure centre: almost everything is within a short stroll, and the atmosphere prides itself on being welcoming and unpretentious —more than half of those who attend travel on their own—.
2027 dates
When is Bear Carnival 2027
The 11th edition takes place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 18 April 2027, under the theme "Men at Work", chosen by a vote of the community itself. It's eleven nights of celebration based at the Yumbo.
It's the first edition separated from the Carnaval: until now it fell in March (in 2026 it ran from 19 to 29), but from 2027 it moves to the two weeks after Easter so as not to clash with the Gran Cabalgata of the Carnaval de Maspalomas, which pushed up travel prices and complicated getting around.
Programme
From catamaran to Mister Bear
The programme brings together between 60 and 70 events spread across the south of the island: pool parties —including one of the biggest bear pool parties in Europe—, catamaran cruises with hundreds of guests, excursions around Gran Canaria and a visit to the Maspalomas water park.
Alongside these are the themed parties tied to the year's motto, the election of Mister Bear Gran Canaria, yoga and spa sessions, cabaret, group dinners and the nightlife of the Yumbo's venues. There are even activities designed for those travelling solo, such as a dedicated cruise.
Getting there
Where to stay and how to get around
Almost all the events are at the Yumbo or within walking distance, so the ideal thing is to stay nearby, in the gay-friendly complexes and bungalows of Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. As the area fills up for these dates, it's wise to book well in advance: event tickets go on sale barely a month before, but accommodation gets snapped up fast.
Getting around is easy and cheap: almost everything is done on foot and, for the rest, a taxi is the comfortable option. On the map below you can compare prices for hotels and apartments next to the Yumbo for Bear Carnival 2027.
Live prices
Compare places to stay on the Maspalomas map
Plan your trip
Get your Maspalomas getaway ready
FAQ
Common questions
When is Bear Carnival Maspalomas 2027?
From Thursday 8 to Sunday 18 April 2027, based at the Centro Comercial Yumbo and under the theme "Men at Work". It's the first edition now separated from the Carnaval, held two weeks after Easter.
Where is it held and where should I stay?
Almost all the events are at the Yumbo Centrum, in Playa del Inglés. The best option is to stay nearby —in gay-friendly complexes and bungalows a short stroll from the Yumbo— and book in advance, because the area fills up for these dates.
How many people go to Bear Carnival?
Around 3,000 people from all over the world at each edition, and the organisers are aiming to top 3,200. It's the biggest bear gathering in Europe.
What happens during Bear Carnival?
Between 60 and 70 events over eleven days: pool parties, catamaran cruises, island excursions, themed parties, the election of Mister Bear Gran Canaria, yoga and spa sessions, cabaret and the nightlife of the Yumbo.
Can I go on my own?
Yes. More than half of those who attend travel solo, and the event prides itself on a welcoming, attitude-free atmosphere. There are even activities designed for those going without a group, such as a dedicated catamaran cruise.
