With enough feathers and sequins to rival Rio, Lanzarote Carnival is loud, proud, bold and brash. Prepare to be swept away in an entertainment extravaganza that sees the streets come alive with music, dancing and more. Happening just once a year, this is a great opportunity to experience it first-hand. Cristina, one of our local guides, says, ‘You'll be blown away by the batucada bands that provide the sound for carnival. They use a selection of drums, tambourines, bells and whistles to create a rhythm which is fast and repetitive.'
Kitting you out with a few props to get you in the carnival spirit, we'll transport you to Puerto del Carmen – the heart of the action. Joining throngs of locals and visitors, Lanzarote's top carnival is a street party like you've never seen. With colourful costumes, sky-high headdresses and extravagant parades, it's a case of the brighter, the better. ‘The drumbeat gets everyone in the mood for a party,' Cristina says. ‘As you get close to the drums, you can feel the vibration, and you can't help but start to move to the rhythm.'
In the run up to the fiesta, each carnival has a queen and a drag queen elected, so expect to see plenty of skimpy outfits and gaudy makeup, shaking along to salsa beats. It all culminates in a spectacular procession on Saturday, 8 March, when streams of bands and cabaret dancers zigzag through the streets in a feast of flamboyant fun. Glitz, glamour and lots of excitement – if you're on the island, don't miss out.
