Carnival time in the beautiful island of Gran Canaria is the time to let your hair down and just have some fun. Everyone (around half a million people) will be out in the streets watching the festivities and joining in the merry making. No wonder it’s the second largest carnival in the world after Rio!

Come to the island for a holiday in February and you’ll find the spectacular celebrations in full swing (Carnival dates usually fall between February and March).

The festivities last for three weeks (they just can’t have enough of it!) and culminates with the election of the Carnival Drag Queen on the last Friday and the Grand Parade on Saturday.

Throughout the celebrations, there will be partying, street dancing, music and singing.

People will turn out in the most outlandish outfits; you’d think everybody just came out of the looney bin! But that is all in keeping with the joy of the occasion.

You will stumble into costumed figures everywhere, further adding to the color and joy of the event.

When the floats for the Gran Parade come out, everyone, young and old, including children will be watching. Bands play live music.

The food and the wine overflow. Expect the bars to be filled to the rafters.

It is one big enjoyable mixture of wholesome noise, exploding color, spontaneous laughter and merrymaking. Fantastic!

So come to the island now. Forget about the daily routines of life, let your hair down and enjoy the best food, drink, laughter and entertainment that Gran Canaria has to offer!