The Arrecife Carnival 2026 experienced one of its most anticipated and vibrant moments on Monday night with the celebration of the Drag Queen Gala, a show that once again proved why it has become one of the essential events of the carnival program in the capital of Lanzarote.
After a night full of fantasy, emotion, and a very high artistic level, Drag Elektra was crowned Drag Queen of the Arrecife Carnival 2026. From Gran Canaria, she conquered the jury and the audience with her fantasy Tiene narices la cosa and an impeccable performance.
The second prize went to Drag Oberón, who sported Drakarys, father of dragons and the third was for Drag Xoul with The messenger king -both from Lanzarote- in an edition marked by equality, creativity and the bravery of the proposals presented on stage.
The gala, held at the Arrecife Fairgrounds and artistically directed by Oswaldo Cabrera, who was taking on this responsibility for the first time, more than met expectations and made clear the enormous projection of the event.
In this edition 11 aspirants participated to be proclaimed drag queen, from Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife, reflecting the richness, diversity and creative power of drag art in the Canary Archipelago.
Spectacular opening
The night began with a spectacular overture in which more than 170 dancers and extras took part, along with outstanding groups from the Arrecife Carnival such as the Timanfeiros and Cumbacheros troupes. A large-scale staging that combined music, choreographies, and a careful visual aesthetic
Local talent also had a special prominence with the participation of renowned drag queens from the island such as Assia Shaik, Chloe La Pezones, Jessica Scandaloux and Jessi Luk, in addition to the dance group Xtreme Up Dance Studio, who brought strength, color and enormous charisma to the stage.
The gala was hosted by Ibán Padrón, Lena Evans, and Vanessa Artiles, who managed to bring rhythm, humor, and camaraderie to a night that kept the audience engaged from beginning to end, and who had the support of Leandro Perdomo taking impressions of the participants backstage, where Iván Tempera was drawing an allusive painting that was shown at the end of the showAmong the great attractions of the evening, the presence of Paca la Piraña, an intimate friend of Cristina la Veneno and actress in the series Veneno from Atresplayer, and Satin Greco, current winner of Drag Race España, as jury members stood out. The finalist singer of Benidorm Fest 2025, J Kbello, provided the musical finale to a gala full of emotionThe Drag Queen Gala is part of the official program of the Arrecife Carnival 2026, organized by the Department of Festivals of the Arrecife City Council, headed by Deputy Mayor Echedey Eugenio, and once again consolidated itself as a space for freedom, diversity, creativity, and collective celebration, reaffirming the commitment of the Arrecife Carnival to culture, respect, and artistic expression
Participants and fantasies
Drag Irium – From the deepest part of the ocean (Gran Canaria)
Drag Halia – The guardian of the sacred petal (Gran Canaria)
Drag Elektra – It has guts the thing (Gran Canaria)
Drag Derrimys – Little water with the damned bug (Lanzarote)
Drag Hocklin – Not one step back (Tenerife)
Drag Olorum – Dream until it comes true (Gran Canaria)
Drag Frenchy Morgana – Weeds also bloom (Gran Canaria)
La Giova Drag – Kimera the awakening under the big top of the grand showman (Gran Canaria)
Drag Xoul – The messenger king (Lanzarote)
Drag Oberón – Drakarys, father of dragons (Lanzarote)
Drag Egan – Hear the roar of the depths, the king has awakened (Lanzarote)