Gran Canaria goes all out to attract more local people and tourists to the island for the 2012 Carnival

Festivities are to be reduced from 25 to 19 days as it is felt better to offer three concentrated weeks. The programme will begin on February 3rd and conclude with a new gala on February 21st.

The 2012 Carnival theme will be dedicated to the comic and though the municipal contribution, which last rose to 1.2 milllion euros, is being cut, nothing will be lost from the programme.

This pledge was given by the Mayor of Las Palmas who released details of the events. February 3rd will see the election of the Gala Queen, replacing the proclamation as it is felt it will have more appeal. On February 19th, there will be a major gala with street bands, parades, etc and the final event will be the traditional Burial of the Sardine on February 21st. The greatest number of events will be between February 17th and 21st and as the Carnival time encompasses a public holiday, organisers believe even more people will be encouraged to join in.

The Carnival represents big business for Gran Canaria and Las Palmas because of the spending power it attracts. The park of Santa Catalina will remain the focal point for festivities which will be very colourful and full of fun. More details will be released on the social network sites in December.