What's on in Madrid
Events Calendar
1st March - 31st October
Bullfights:
Bullfighting is not to everyone’s taste, but remains an authentically Spanish event. You should try to see at least one corrida in Madrid’s premier bullfighting ring called Las Ventas. Bullfights are held at least every Sunday from March until October and daily during special festivals, particularly the city’s San Isidro festivities in May (see below).
Bullfighters are true local heroes in Spain, for their activities both inside and outside the arena: all their (mis)steps are covered in full detail in the serious as well as totally frivolous press (the latter occupying a big chunk of each news stand).
April
Sleazy Madrid
The ultimate fetish party in Madrid with strict dress code
15th-21st May
San Isidro Festival:
Madrid’s patron saint is San Isidro and the fiesta devoted to him takes place yearly from 15-21 May. Activities are organised throughout the city, but one of the best areas to taste the atmosphere is to the south-west of the Plaza Mayor and in the park called Las Vistillas, close to the Royal Palace: many of Madrid’s inhabitants dress in their typical castizo outfits and a stunning range of local delicacies are offered in street side stalls. Try buñuelos, a type of doughnut, and have a cocido dish, a heavy chickpea-based stew, for lunch. Flamenco, zarzuelas and more modern Latin musical genres are heard everywhere.
On the Plaza Mayor itself you can enjoy a series of free, open-air concerts of all styles, but there are activities taking place all over the city (among others, the Ceramics Fair and Book Fair). The main centres of activities are in and around the Plaza Mayor, Plaza de las Vistillas, Plaza de las Comendadoras, Plaza de Felipe II, Parque del Retiro and the Centro Cultural de la Villa.
June
Festimad Music Festival:
The Festimad Music Festival is held at the Estadio Municipal Butarque, just outside Madrid and offers two days of music from established and new rock bands (Pearl Jam is the 2007 top attraction). In conjunction with this festival, market stalls, restaurants and bars are built in and around the stadium.
23rd-25th June
Saint John’s Day:
The evening preceding Saint John's day (the night of June 23rd) is celebrated in all parts of Spain. St. John’s day, originally a Catholic celebration coincides with the longest day of the year and maintains pre-Christian elements. In Madrid, we suggest you head for the Plaza de San Juan and Las Huertas to participate in the celebrations.
Last weekend in June
Madrid Orgullo: Madrid Gay Pride:
On 30th June the main event, a carnival style parade, makes its way through the city centre. The week prior to the parade, there are warm-up parties in the Chueca district, as well as debates and discussion sessions.
After the 30th June parade, most of the participants head straight for the Chueca district for more fun!
The Infinita Gay Festival
This festival, which takes place at the same time as the gay pride, is considered to be one of the largest gay events in Europe. With this special circuit party, thousands of gays come together in order to party in Madrid.
July - August
Veranos de la Villa Festival:
Two months of major cultural activities: music, dance, theatre, exhibitions, opera, nights of flamenco, jazz and much more of an unimaginably wide range. Many of the music and dance events take place in the Cuartel Conde Duque (which is worth a visit in itself!), the Jardines de Sabatini (next to the Royal Palace) and the Casa de América.
Many more events are also held outdoors in squares and parks in the city centre.
September
La noche en blanco
The white night is characterised by cultural extravagance. For one night in September, the doors of the museums are opened, in order to present culture in the Spanish capital for a whole night long. And in addition, most of it is even free of charge.
October - November
Autumn Festival:
More music, theatre, musicals and dance in the Festival de Otoño (Autumn Festival) in a series of more than 100 performances, as well as workshops and debates at venues throughout the city.
November
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival:
Throughout the month of November the yearly Madrid Gay and Lesbian film festival showcases movies from many different countries in various cinemas. The movies on offer are very carefully selected for their artistic quality as well as their social relevance and offer an opportunity to view many movies that otherwise would not be available in mainstream movie theatres. In conjunction with the festival, prizes are awarded for best feature-length and best short film.
December
Mad Bear
The big gathering of bears and friends for a few days in December in an attractive location in Madrid (Cercedilla, Guadarrama Nationalpark).
For a great selection of places to stay with discount prices visit Madrid Hotels for more information.
