Maspalomas Hosts First Socarrat Fest on August 16
Maspalomas will be the culinary hub of Gran Canaria on August 16 as it hosts the inaugural Socarrat Fest, the island’s first festival dedicated entirely to rice. Organised by DMARCHA 2014, the event will take place at the Campo 1 Football ground from midday until 11 PM, featuring a mix of food, live music, cooking demonstrations, and outdoor activities.
The festival is expecting between 2,500 to 4,000 attendees. Unlike typical food fairs, it will showcase rice dishes prepared by some of Gran Canaria’s best restaurants, aiming to elevate local produce and promote culinary tourism.
Attendees can look forward to individual stalls from each participating restaurant as well as cooking workshops to learn about various rice dishes. A lounge area with live music and DJs, plus a children’s zone featuring a bouncy castle, will cater to families.
There are age restrictions: under-16s must be accompanied by an adult with signed permission, while those aged 16 and 17 only require signed consent. Tickets are available online and at the venue, priced from €10 for entry with one drink, to €15 including a dish from a restaurant. Importantly, entry is free for under-18s, encouraging younger generations to enjoy affordable rice dishes.
A total of eight local restaurants have confirmed their participation, including El Caldero and Mediterráneo, with more expected to join before the festival. A distinguished jury, comprising esteemed food critics and content creators, will evaluate the various rice offerings and award the title of ‘Best Rice’ for this first edition.
Musical acts will be revealed in the lead-up to the event, with Killian Viera and Pedro Afonso already confirmed, alongside DJs to enhance the atmosphere throughout the day.
Socarrat Fest is part of a busy summer for Maspalomas, fitting into the “Maspalomas Vive Fest – Summer Edition 2026” programme, which also includes events on August 14 and 15. This festival aims to become a regular highlight on Gran Canaria’s gastronomic calendar, celebrating rice and its beloved socarrat.
