A Long-Running Conflict: How the War for Silence Began
For twenty years, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been embroiled in disputes between local residents and the city council. The reason is the annual carnival celebrations, which for some have become a symbol of joy, but for others remain a constant source of discomfort. From the first to the last day of the carnival, the city is immersed in an atmosphere of nonstop concerts and mass festivities that last nearly a month. In 2026, the celebrations will kick off on January 23 and end only on March 1. During this period, residents of neighborhoods near the port are forced to put up with loud music and nighttime events that disrupt their peace.
In 2015, after lengthy proceedings, both sides reached an agreement: concerts were allowed on only two days following the main gala evenings, and the noise level was not to exceed 60 decibels. In return, the city council pledged to cover the costs of cleaning and repairs, as well as to install soundproofing in apartments where children and elderly people live. However, several years later, the agreements were broken, and the conflict flared up again.
Court Rulings and New Complaints
In 2023, the situation escalated: city authorities organized several concerts without consulting residents on the dates. One of them, held on February 25, prompted another complaint. Residents insisted on canceling the event since it did not align with the dates specified in the agreement. Despite the protests, the concert went ahead, and disgruntled locals once again took the matter to court. By 2024, tensions had only intensified: noise levels at the festivities exceeded acceptable limits, leading a group of 13 people to demand €600,000 in compensation from the municipality for damages suffered.
In the spring of 2025, the Supreme Court of the Canary Islands sided with the residents, noting that concerts lasting until three in the morning prevented people from getting adequate rest. This ruling inspired activists to file new lawsuits: in July, they submitted another complaint, demanding a halt to concerts during the legal proceedings. However, by September, the first-instance court ruled in favor of the carnival organizers, rejecting the claims and ordering the plaintiffs to pay legal fees. The judge pointed out that banning the festivities would cause significant harm to the community.
What’s next: prospects for residents and city authorities
After losing in court, the residents decided to appeal the ruling, while the municipality, in turn, demanded the dismissal of their earlier compensation claim. During this time, there were staffing changes in the administration: one of the key figures in the conflict resigned, adding further uncertainty to how events would unfold. Now both sides await the final verdict, which will determine whether the residents can expect peace and quiet in the future, or if carnival nights will once again be marked by loud music and massive street celebrations.
For now, compromise remains out of reach and the legal battle goes on, as Las Palmas prepares for another festive season. The question of balancing tradition and the right to peace remains unresolved, and the outcome may set a precedent for other cities across Spain.
