Under the motto 'Our history, their legacy, our pride', this edition will be dedicated to older people in the LGTBIQ+ community
The multifaceted actress Loles León will read the Manifesto
The Diverse Literature Awards, organized by Editorial Siete Islas, will be presented.
There will be several exhibitions, training talks, book presentations, and a poetry and storytelling session for the whole family.
The international event Maspalomas Pride by Freedom will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special program that will offer, from May 4 to 10, cultural events, leisure and fun, music, galas at the Yumbo, parties in hotels and acts of protest, such as the Parade of Floats through the main streets of Playa del Inglés.
The presentation event was attended by Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Island Council; Marco Aurelio Pérez, Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana; José Manuel Sanabria, Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Canary Islands Government; Carlos Álamo, Tourism Councillor of the Gran Canaria Island Council; Alejandro Marichal, First Deputy Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana; Eva Pascual, activist, trainer and expert in the defense of the rights of children, adolescents and trans families; Ismael Lozano, Manager of the publishing house Siete Islas; Francisca González, Director of RTVE in the Canary Islands; and Fernando Ilarduya, Director of Maspalomas Pride by Freedom and Eurovision Pride.
Marco Aurelio Pérez emphasized that this event is one of the most important held in Maspalomas, and that its 25th edition will feature many new additions. “This Pride celebration highlights the fight for the LGBTQ+ movement in society, and Maspalomas and Gran Canaria are a global benchmark.”
Antonio Morales emphasized that Maspalomas Pride is a uniquely important event for Gran Canaria and Maspalomas, due to its cultural contribution and the ideological debate surrounding a universal right. It is an open space for the world to protect and welcome, to promote values related to diversity, in a destination linked to tourism but also to leisure activities. This event influences the image of the island, in a municipality that is an open and welcoming space.
The president of the Cabildo stated that “we are experiencing a regression in the defense of rights, with the rise of totalitarianism. In a survey I read, 50% of young people say they are indifferent between a democracy and a totalitarian state. Hatred and intolerance are taking hold in many countries. We must arm ourselves with democracy, participation, rights, and freedoms. Diversity will never be a threat; rather, it is an asset. We must continue to express ourselves freely and defend the right of everyone to remain hidden, upholding culture, rights, and the defense of human values.”
José Manuel Sanabria stated that events like Maspalomas solidify the islands' image as an "open, tolerant, and safe destination, where diversity is not only respected but celebrated." He highlighted its high Return on Investment, which last year reached 113%, and the significant economic impact it generates, amounting to €150 million. He added that its strong appeal allows it to "achieve its main objective: to benefit the people of the Canary Islands, who also enjoy a rich and varied program of activities." To achieve this, the Deputy Minister noted that Turismo de Canarias has allocated over €51 million to sponsor more than 900 events between 2021 and 2025.
In his speech, Carlos Álamo emphasized that this event in Maspalomas is not just a tourist attraction, but an expression of freedom and coexistence. He paid tribute to those who started this movement, such as Darío Jaén. “Maspalomas Pride has moments for celebration, but also for defending a cause. Maspalomas is a tourist destination with values of coexistence, safety, and respect, so that those who visit us feel free. Gran Canaria is an international benchmark for the LGBTQ+ community, where they have found a place to feel free.”
Alejandro Marichal pointed out that Maspalomas Pride has significant tourism potential, generating a return on investment of over €100 million and attracting more than 350.000 people. “It’s a social event that has helped to make Maspalomas a diverse and respectful destination, and to link its identity to freedom and coexistence.”
Ismael Lozano explained that this year's edition will feature a new addition: a giant tent that "will be filled with culture, hosting presentations of six books, mostly by Canarian authors, with novels set in the Islands." The cultural offerings also include the "Bubbles" exhibition, which will be located in Plaza del Yumbo from May 4th to 10th. He announced that the cultural group will participate in the demonstration with a banner.
Eva Pascual pointed out that Maspalomas Pride will have a cultural and training offer for students of the municipality, with a storytelling session for families, a training talk for older people and the exhibition 'Brave Love', the Poetry session and talk with Lorenza Machín, accompanied by Kika Fumero, spokesperson and coordinator of the 'My Voice, My Decision' movement.
The regional director of Spanish Television (TVE), Francisca González, announced that TVE will once again broadcast the Parade of Floats live on La2, for all of Spain, from 15:15 p.m. to 17:30 p.m., presented by Roberto Herrera, Luis García Temprano, and Sara Fez. “It will be a celebration and a commemoration of the rights we thought we had won.”
Fernando Ilarduya emphasized that Maspalomas Pride has become one of the most important Pride events in the world and a leading LGBTQ+ destination where people can walk freely in the streets. This year's edition will be dedicated to the elderly members of the LGBTQ+ community, who are often overlooked, as many grow old without children and end up in care homes where they sometimes have to "go back into the closet." Under the slogan "Our History, Their Legacy, Our Pride," this year's event will celebrate older LGBTQ+ individuals under the Maspalomas sun, demonstrating that pride knows no age, identity, or label. In this spirit, Ilarduya announced the creation of a fund to build the first senior living residence for LGBTQ+ individuals.
25 years of advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community
Maspalomas Pride by Freedom is sponsored by the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, through the Department of Tourism; the Gran Canaria Island Council, through the Department of Tourism; and the Government of the Canary Islands, in addition to the support of RTVE, Sonocom, Absolut, Red Bull, Music Meets Tourism, Luis Hotels, Viajes Canarias Europa, Schauinsland Reisen, Haus of Health and the collaboration of Chrysallis Canarias, Gay Les Point and 8 Islas Canarias LGTBI.
Many surprises are planned, such as the premiere of the official anthem created by DJ Melques Viber (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhJVbLTzKkQ), the reading of the Manifesto by the popular actress Loles León, as well as the performances of Melody, Spain's representative in Eurovision 2025; the Canarian Agoney; Kimy Tow, a singer from Gran Canaria and finalist of The Voice 2025, and Nadine Coyle, a prominent performer in pop music in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Once again, Gran Canaria will become a global meeting point to celebrate equality and respect through music, enjoy culture with book presentations and signings by authors of works with LGBTQIA+ themes, as well as other events, such as the Foam Party or the Parade of Floats, which will once again be broadcast live by Spanish Television in the Canary Islands, with the participation of 30 floats that will give visibility and prominence to messages, flags and colors to demand freedom, equality and respect for all identities of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2025, an attendance record was broken with more than 350.000 people of various nationalities who turned Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) in a unique setting worldwide, known not only for its impressive sand dunes and idyllic beaches, but also for offering a vibrant nightlife scene that has established itself as the epicenter of LGBTQIA+ culture in Europe.
Melody will perform at the Ocean Club pool
For seven days, 'Maspalomas Pride by Freedom' will offer free shows on the stage of the Yumbo square, which can be seen live every night from the Youtube channel, for audiences from anywhere in the world.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary, more than 30 musical events have been organized, featuring over 20 DJs, national and international artists, drag queens, and dancers. Singer Melody will headline the 'Sundance' party, held at the Ocean Club Maspalomas pool, which has a capacity of 5.000 people. Meanwhile, Matt Terry, Roxy Rosario, Izan Llunas, and Nadine Coyle will perform on the Yumbo stage. Canarian talent will be showcased by the voices of Agoney, Jia Miles, Rubén Dizá, Mel Ömana, Free Vogue, and Rebecca León.
Around twenty DJs will be in charge of selecting the music at the parties and galas, including Urlan (Brazil), Iván Pequeño (Spain), Chris Bekker (Germany), Hixel (Venezuela), Romero (Brazil), Leo Blanco (Spain), Jia Miles (Canary Islands), Andrés Moré (Colombia), Jonay BJ (Canary Islands), Exóticas (Mallorca), Josep Wolf (Colombia), Rafha Madrid (Spain), Le Gommez (Spain), Jose Rendon (Dublin), Esteban López (Mallorca), Melques Viber (Brazil), Jonatan Tamayo (Spain), San Keryton (Brazil), Jose Lagares (Spain), Mar (Spain), Sergio Tyler (Spain), Tay de León (Canary Islands), Amnesia (Ibiza), María Caponne (Spain) and Alejandra Regnaultt (Spain).
Reading space, Diverse Literature Award and talk for young people
As in previous years, Maspalomas Pride by Freedom will host the announcement and award ceremony for the winner and finalist of the 2026 Diverse Literature Prize, organized by the Lanzarote-based publisher Siete Islas, with the aim of promoting reading, raising awareness of the current challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and fighting against prejudice, hate speech, and any other form of discrimination.
This literary competition has become a benchmark within the LGBTQIA+ cultural scene in Spain. The jury is made up of renowned activists and representatives from the world of literature, education, and culture.
Yumbo Square will host the Siete Islas publishing house's Reading Tent, featuring book presentations and signings, as well as the 'Bubbles' exhibition by illustrator Juan Castaño, with texts by Ismael Lozano. The following authors will be signing their works at the 'Diversity Chair': Ismael Lozano, Juan Castaño, Nisa Arce, Pepe Betancort, Fabio Carreiro, and David Cantero.
Eva Pascual, activist, trainer and expert in the defense of the Rights of Children, Adolescents and Trans Families, will give training talks on Diversity for high school students in the municipality and at the SBT Senior Center, and is also the organizer of the photography exhibition 'Brave Love', as well as the storytelling sessions for the little ones, with the collaboration of Chrysallis Canarias, and the Poetry session and talk with Lorenza Machín, who will be accompanied by Kika Fumero, spokesperson and coordinator of the 'My Voice, My Decision' movement.
This year's event will once again feature information campaigns in several languages to promote environmental awareness in the Maspalomas Dunes, encourage the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, and discourage the use of drugs. Bars will not serve drinks in glass containers; reusable plastic cups will be used, and the recycling of all products will be monitored.
