Bear Carnival 2025: Sun, Sex, and Slutty Celebrations

Event Dates & Vibe at a Glance

Bear Carnival 2025 kicks off in Maspalomas from 3rd to 13th April, and I’ll be flying out for the full ten-day bear bonanza. If you’ve never been before, imagine this: a thousand bears, cubs, and admirers spilling out of pool parties, beach bars, fetish nights and foam-drenched discos—all under the Canary Island sun. It’s not subtle. It’s not polite. And thank god for that.

This isn’t some sterile circuit party where abs are the only currency. Bear Carnival is messy in the best way—joyful, body-positive, flirty without pressure, and filthy without shame. You’ll find events running from morning until you finally stagger back to your hotel around sunrise, clothes optional, dignity negotiable.

There are 70+ events spread across 11 days. Between pool takeovers, nude gay beach meetups, fetish parties, tantra sessions, and dance nights, there's something every day and night to get your pulse (and other parts) going.

This year marks 10 years of Bear Carnival, so expect organisers to pull out all the stops. Bigger crowds, upgraded venues, and the return of iconic parties from previous years. If you've ever needed a reason to book that trip to Gran Canaria, this is it.

And yes, I’m going. If you're curious what last year looked like, have a nosey at my 2024 recap. Spoiler: it involved sunshine, sex, sand dunes, and several memorable encounters with men I still follow on Instagram. One of the biggest LGBT events in Spain 2025, it's also among the most exciting gay bear festivals in Europe. If you're looking for bear events in Europe in 2025, this one's a heavyweight.

Bear Carnival 2024 Recap – Last Year’s Highlights

2024 was a filthy good time.

Bear Carnival felt like the gates of gay heaven had opened and flooded the island with half-naked men, beach beers, and more body hair than a rugby team’s locker room. It was my third time attending, and honestly? Still furious I hadn’t started going years ago. The vibe was relaxed but horny, inclusive but unapologetically slutty, and the crowd? Chef’s kiss.

Highlights? Oh, there were many. The pool parties were chaotic in the best way—sun, sweat, cocktails that were suspiciously strong, and enough eye contact to spark three separate story arcs on Pornhub. The nude beach lived up to its reputation. I saw things. Did things. Got sand in places no exfoliant can reach. Worth it.

The DILF party was packed wall-to-wall with men who looked like they could rebuild a cabin and rail you against it in one breath. The fetish nights were sweaty, intense, and exactly what you’d expect from a room full of horny men in leather and neoprene. And the unofficial after-hours fun? That’s between me, a Belgian bear named Tom, and the corner suite at AxelBeach.

But it wasn’t just about sex. What surprised me was how easy it was to make genuine connections. I met solo travellers, couples, throuples, and everything in between. One night you’re dancing shirtless in foam; the next you’re tipsy-eating pizza with a pack of friendly strangers who instantly feel like your tribe.

Tips for First-Time Attendees (Flirty & Fun)

So, it’s your first Bear Carnival? Welcome!

Prepare yourself for a week where the ratio of jockstraps to actual joggers is alarmingly skewed, the average amount of body contact per hug borders on inappropriate (in the best way), and you’ll probably lose your voice from moaning, shouting over music, or both.

You don’t need a six-pack or 10k Instagram followers to be popular here. Most guys are friendly, horny, or both—and half the crowd turns up solo, so everyone’s up for a chat. Smile. Compliment a harness. Ask what party they’re heading to next. These men didn’t fly to Gran Canaria to play hard to get.

Trust me, you’re going to see every shape, size, and fur pattern under the sun—and everyone looks sexy as fuck in their own way. Whether you’re rocking a belly, a beard, or both, someone’s going to want to rub against you in the foam. This is your moment to strut. Strip down. Be slutty. Be soft. Be you.

A few events book out fast—like the bear boat cruises and Tantric massage sessions—so don’t leave everything to fate.

Bear Carnival is eleven days long. You are not contractually obliged to attend every party, after-party, beach gathering and dick appointment. Burnout is real, and so is SPF 50. Take a nap. Hydrate. Wank in peace. You’ll thank yourself later.

Yes, there’s an official chat where people post meetups, selfies, and emergency “Who’s got lube?” requests. It’s a great way to find your tribe before you even touch down in Gran Canaria.

And if you’re nervous, alone, or just fancy a genuinely sweet moment between the filth, find the Hug Team. They’re volunteers in pink shirts who roam the events to help you feel welcome. It’s a celebration of chubby gay men holidays and body-positive connection.

Sex-Positive Safety Advice

Look, you’re going to Bear Carnival, not Bible camp. There’s going to be sex. Lots of it. In beds, in dunes, in jacuzzis. And that’s bloody marvellous.

If you’re on PrEP, make sure you’ve got enough to last the trip and a few days after—because sometimes you’ll extend your stay thanks to a hot German who smiles like sin. Even if you’re on PrEP, pack condoms and lube. Some guys aren’t, and it’s sexy to give a fuck.

You’ll find Checkpoint Canarias in Playa del Inglés, offering free STI testing, condoms, and advice. They’re queer-run and sex-positive as hell. I popped in last year and left with a bag of freebies and zero awkwardness.

Consent is everything. Just because someone’s half-naked, or pressing up against you in a foam pit, doesn’t mean they owe you a thing. Ask before touching. Watch body language. If someone pulls away, don’t be a knob—just smile, say “no worries”, and move on.

Substances flow freely, not my bag - but you do you babe. If you’re partaking, know what you’re doing and who you’re with. Don’t mix shit blindly, and keep an eye on your drink. You don’t need to be off your tits to have a good time. Half the best sex I’ve had there was stone-cold sober.

Hydrate. Eat. Rest. Your dick will still be there tomorrow, and so will theirs. It's a valuable resource for anyone enjoying gay travel in Gran Canaria.

Celebrating Bear Culture & Community

Bear Carnival isn’t just one big shagfest in the sun—although, yes, that is a considerable perk. It’s also a glittery tribute to everything that makes bear culture so brilliant. You don’t need to be a muscle daddy with a seven-inch beard to feel at home. Just show up with good vibes, an open mind, and ideally some SPF.

There’s something beautiful about walking through Yumbo Centre at midnight and seeing men of all sizes and genders wearing what makes them feel sexy—leather, Lycra, or absolutely nothing. Come as you are, and if you’re feeling brave, come a lot.

It’s one of the few spaces where fat is fabulous, grey chest hair is a brag, and being over 40 makes you more of a catch, not less. You’ll see couples grinding alongside first-time solo travellers in jockstraps, and nobody bats an eye. The diversity is the point. And the joy? That’s contagious.

What sets Bear Carnival apart from mainstream Pride events is its unapologetic celebration of sex, intimacy, and connection. Not brand-sponsored rainbow fluff. Real, messy, flesh-on-flesh freedom.

In 2025, with the carnival turning ten, that pride is bigger than ever. A decade of proving that bears, cubs, chubs, otters, and their admirers can come together not just for sex, but for connection, acceptance, and a bloody good time. If you’re wondering what is Bear Carnival, it’s this—a joyful explosion of community, queerness, and celebration. Whether you're a cub, chub, or full-blown bear, this is one of the best gay party destinations around.

Travel Tips for Maspalomas

If you’ve never been to Gran Canaria before: Maspalomas is a sun-soaked gay playground with dunes, nude beaches, and more speedos per square metre than a porn set. Hot weather, walkable streets, cheap drinks, and a steady stream of shirtless men spilling out of bars, hotels, and each other.

Stay in or near Playa del Inglés, ideally walking distance to the Yumbo Centre. Popular spots like AxelBeach, Ritual, and Vista Bonita fill up fast—if you haven’t booked yet, it might be too late - but the dates for Bear Carnival 2026 are already out... get on it.

The weather in April is perfect. Pack skimpy swimwear, a light hoodie, and loads of suncream. Peeling shoulders are not a vibe.

You don’t need a car. Taxis are cheap, venues are close, and most excursions include transport.

Arrive a day early if you can. Settle in, meet a few people, and get your bearings before the chaos kicks off. Maybe stay a day or two after—to decompress on the beach, spoon a churro into your mouth, and scroll through your nudes.

Bring a power bank, a spare phone charger, and plenty of lube. You’ll run out of all three before you know it.

Get Ready – See You at Bear Carnival 2025!

This is your sign: Bear Carnival 2025 is coming, and it’s going to be outrageous—in all the best, filthiest, sun-drenched ways. Ten years of sweat, fur, flirting, foam, poolside fun, and late-night Burger Kings has led to this.

If you’ve been before, you know what’s coming—just more of it. More parties, more bears, more room to play. If it’s your first time? Unbuckle, darling.

This isn’t the kind of holiday where you leave with just souvenirs and a tan (though you’ll get both). This is the kind of trip where you come home with bruised knees, a whole new friendship circle, and a WhatsApp thread full of dicks you’ve already seen in person.

Book your flights. Lock in your hotel. Slide into DMs. Charge your toys, trim whatever needs trimming, and pack your sluttiest swimwear.

Bear Carnival isn’t just a party. It’s a pilgrimage. And come 4th April, I’ll be right there in the middle of it—tipsy, flirty, and probably being rimmed in the dunes by someone called Pedro.

See you in Maspalomas, boys.