- Under the motto ‘Our history, its legacy, our pride’, the event commemorates its 25th anniversary from May 4 to 10.
- The organization announces a historic fund to promote the first residence for LGTBIQ+ seniors on the islands.
- With an economic impact of 150 million euros, Gran Canaria is consolidated as the refuge of freedom in the face of global setbacks.
Maspalomas is preparing to live one of the most exciting weeks in its recent history. Maspalomas Pride 2026 is not just any edition: it celebrates 25 years, placing Gran Canaria at the world epicenter of diversity. But beyond the feathers and neon, this silver edition has a deeply vindictive soul. This year, Pride belongs to those who paved the way for us: our seniors.
Against the “second closet” in old age
The director of the event, Fernando Ilarduya, has made it clear that this dedication arises from a social urgency. Many older members of the group, upon reaching dependency and not having traditional family networks, face the fear of having to hide their identity when entering conventional residences. “They are the great forgotten ones. We cannot allow that, after a life of struggle, they have to go back into the closet to be cared for”said Ilarduya.
In this context, the organization has announced the creation of a fund intended for the construction of the first residence for LGTBIQ+ seniors, a project that seeks to combat unwanted loneliness and ensure a judgment-free care environment.
Maspalomas: An ideological debate on the sand
The event, which will feature more than 20 cultural events, galas and the iconic parties in the dunes and hotels, has the full support of the institutions. The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, has defined Pride as a “cultural contribution and ideological debate” necessary in an international scenario where human rights seem to be under threat.
The conversation about LGTBIQ+ old age has also jumped to the big screen with the film ‘Maspalomas’, of the winners José Mari Goenaga and Aitor Arregi, which serves as the backdrop for this edition that mixes cinema, memory and celebration.
An unstoppable economic engine
Beyond social values, the Maspalomas Pride 2026 It is a tourist giant. After the success of 2025, where the return on investment was 113%, the Government of the Canary Islands estimates that the economic impact on the island will be around 150 million euros. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, José Manuel Sanabria, has stressed that events of this caliber consolidate the islands as an “open, tolerant and safe” destination where diversity is a value that is not only respected, but celebrated as an engine of progress.
