Essential Guide: Things to Do in Gran Canaria in July 2026

July 2026 comes packed with live music, traditional celebrations and unforgettable experiences across Gran Canaria. The month kicks off with the Granca Live Fest and the PWA Windsurf World Cup (4–12 July), continues with the colourful Virgen del Carmen festivities and the Fiestas de Santiago de Gáldar, and ends on a high with concerts from Yandel and UB40.

Long summer evenings are also the perfect excuse to enjoy the south of the island, sample Canarian cuisine or head into the mountains for some of the clearest stargazing skies in the Canary Islands.

Best Family Activities in July

This Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July, step into a prehistoric adventure during Jurassic Weekend with your ticket to Wooland Fun Park.

Enjoy an incredible dinosaur live show at 7:00 pm, guaranteed to amaze visitors of all ages.

Younger guests can also take part in children’s workshops and face painting from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, making it a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family.

To make your visit even easier, you’ll also enjoy 4 hours of free parking.

Don’t miss the chance to experience an monumental Jurassic adventure this summer.

Jurassic Weekend at Holiday World Maspalomas Poster taking place 25th and 26th July

July Means Live Music: The Biggest Concerts and Festivals of 2026

If there’s one thing that defines July in Gran Canaria, it’s live music. Throughout the month, the island becomes one of the Atlantic’s top entertainment destinations, with everything from huge stadium concerts to magic performances by the sea.

Major Festivals

Large-scale festivals are one of the highlights of summer in Gran Canaria. Whether you love energetic crowds or dancing barefoot by the beach, these are three events you don’t want to miss:

  • Granca Live Fest 2026: From 2 to 5 July, the Gran Canaria Stadium hosts major international and Spanish artists including Lauryn HillJuan Luis Guerra and Maroon 5. Four days of pop, Latin music and urban beats at one of the Canary Islands’ biggest festivals.
  • Canarias Jazz & Más International Festival: Running from 3 to 25 July, this celebrated festival marks its 35th edition, with concerts taking place in squares, theatres and auditoriums across Gran Canaria. Expect an outstanding programme of jazz, funk, soul and world music.
  • Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival: From 17 to 19 July, San Agustín Beach welcomes the 10th edition of this free seaside festival, featuring three evenings of outstanding live soul music.
Girl raising hands at a concert with the stage in the background

International Legends

July also brings the chance to see some of the world’s most iconic performers live. The Gran Canaria Arena hosts two legendary concerts, while another reggaeton superstar takes to the stage in Telde.

  • Sting (9 July | Gran Canaria Arena): A true music hero. Seeing the former The Police frontman perform live is undoubtedly one of the year’s standout events.
  • UB40 (31 July | Gran Canaria Arena): The legendary British reggae band closes the month with an unforgettable night of timeless classics.
  • Yandel (24 July | Auditorio San Juan de Telde): One of reggaeton’s biggest pioneers returns with a show celebrating the golden era of the genre.

These are the kind of once-in-a-lifetime concerts that make a trip to Gran Canaria even more memorable.

Seaside Traditions: Discover the Virgen del Carmen Celebrations

July in Gran Canaria is synonymous with decorated fishing boats, lively waterfront festivals and authentic coastal traditions. At the heart of these celebrations is Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Virgen del Carmen), patron saint of fishermen, whose feast day falls on 16 July.

Rather than taking place in just one town, celebrations happen simultaneously in fishing communities all around the island, creating spectacular scenes from north to south.

A street full of people during Fiestas del Carmen in Arguineguin

The South and Southwest: Fishing Traditions by the Sea

Along the southern coast, maritime traditions blend perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere of summer.

Arguineguín and Puerto de Mogán: These two coastal towns host one of the island’s most spectacular maritime processions. Around the middle of the month, the statue of the Virgin travels aboard a fishing boat from one harbour to the other, escorted by hundreds of decorated boats. The celebrations continue with live music, dancing and traditional fish barbecues along the waterfront. Main celebration: 19 July.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Salt Carpets and Sunrise Processions

The island’s capital also celebrates in style, with emotional ceremonies that attract both locals and visitors.

  • La Isleta (16 July): Home to one of the Canary Islands’ most famous religious events, the Aurora Procession. The day begins at 4:30 am with the first Mass before the Virgin is carried through the beautifully decorated streets at sunrise.
  • San Cristóbal (10–26 July): This historic fishing district offers a more intimate celebration. The Virgin is carried along the seafront promenade, passing the neighbourhood’s colourful waterfront houses before boarding a boat beside the harbour.

Bañaderos: One of Gran Canaria’s Most Unusual Festivals

On 25 July, the town of Bañaderos celebrates the traditional Gira y Quema del Plátano (“Banana Parade and Burning”). A lively procession heads towards El Puertillo Beach, where music, white clothing, yellow scarves and an open-air street party create one of the most distinctive festivals in the municipality of Arucas.

Thrills and Great Food: The Perfect Summer Evening in the South

When the midday heat fades, one of the best ways to spend a summer evening is at Holiday World Maspalomas, where exciting attractions and fantastic food come together in one place.

New for 2026! Take on the Twister

If adrenaline is your thing, there’s one attraction you simply can’t miss this summer.

Twister is the exciting new addition to Holiday World Maspalomas for 2026. Packed with high-speed spins, soaring heights and exhilarating twists, it’s designed for thrill-seekers looking to share an unforgettable experience with friends or family.

Afterwards, you can continue the fun with more than 30 classic rides, before ending the evening at Nomad Gastro Market, where over 12 international street food stalls serve flavours from around the world in a lively open-air setting.

🎟️ Traveller’s Tip: July is peak season, and with the launch of Twister, demand is expected to be especially high. To avoid queues and secure your visit, you can book your Wooland Fun Park tickets in advance.

Several being lifted into the air on Twister Holiday Worlds new attraction

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