Madrid Events and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Madrid, Spain)
When it comes to culture and festivals in Spain, Madrid is where it all happens. Spread throughout the course of the year in the Spanish capital are all kinds of events, which start with Three Kings (Cabalgata de Reyes) processions in January, followed by the city's carnival in February and the Semana Santa celebrations of Holy Week, marking the arrival of Easter.
On 15th May, the death of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of Madrid, is remembered with a series of live music events and themed activities, while in the month of June, the street parties of San Antonio de la Florida are quite special, as are the festivities related to both the Virgen del Carmen and the Virgen de la Paloma, staged in mid-July and mid-August respectively.
The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas not only serves as the center for Spanish bullfighting in Madrid, but this bullring also functions as a concert venue attracting the likes of Radiohead and Coldplay in recent years. Of note, the bullring has also been used to stage Spain's Davis Cup tennis tournament. For trade fairs, conferences, conventions and similar things to do, the modern International Convention Center of the City of Madrid (Centro Internacional de Convenciones) is the place to come.
Public Holidays
There are approximately fourteen accepted public holidays in Spain, which can be acknowledged on either a local or national basis. Listed below are those dates observed in Madrid.
National Public Holidays
- 1st January - Año Nuevo / New Year's Day
- 5th January - Epifanía / Epiphany
- 19th March - Dia de San José / St. Joseph's Day
- Late March or early April - Jueves Santo / Maundy Thursday
- Late March or early April - Viernes Santo / Good Friday
- 1st May - Fiesta del Trabajo / Labour Day
- 15th August - La Asunción / Feast of the Assumption
- 12th October - Nacional de España / National Day
- 1st November - Todos los Santos / All Saints' Day
- 6th December - Dia de la Constitución / Constitution Day
- 8th December - La Inmaculada Concepción / Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- 25th December - Navidad / Christmas Day
Madrid Special Events 2014 / 2015
A variety of occasions are detailed for a taste of what Madrid has to offer. However, the already busy social calendar of the city is continually being added to.
January
- Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings) - 5th January, parades throughout the city streets proclaim the arrival of the three wise men with sweets being dispensed to children
- San Antón - 17th January, pet blessing in San Antón Church, observed by hundreds of pet owners
February
- Week before Lent - Carnaval (Carnival), parties and parades ending with the 'Burial of the Sardine' custom on Ash Wednesday
- ARCO - modern art fair, prominent art festival throughout the world
March
- International Theatre Festival
- Jazz Festival - organised by a college at the University
- Semana Santa (Holy Week) - March / April, religious images paraded through the streets
- Bullfighting - March to October, season starts at the Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas
April
- Antique Music Week
- Cumbre Flamenca - a salute to the finest of flamenco
- FINART - craft fair with worldwide work
- Mozart Festival - April to June
May
- Fiesta del Trabajo (Labour Day) - 1st May
- Madrid Day - 2nd May, classical, folk and rock concerts in memory of the 1808 rebellion against Napoleon
- Dia de San Isidro (St. Isidore Day) - 15th May, bullfights and concerts celebrating the patron saint of Madrid
June
- San Antonio de la Florida (St. Anthony of Florida) - 9th to 13th June, the city's biggest street party
August
- Verbenas - outdoor celebrations for saint's day around La Latina and Lavapiés
September
- Pasalera Cibeles - Spanish designer's fashion show
- Festival of Madrileño Theatre
- Música en las Ventas - September to October, overseas as well as national modern music performances in the bullring
- Festival de Otoño (Autumn Festival) - September to November, performing arts festival, (music, dance and theatre), with acts from around the world
October
- Opera and ballet - October to July, season begins at the Teatro Lirico Nacional de la Zarzuela
November
- Feast Day of Nuestra Señora de la Almudena - 9th November, Madrid's patroness
- International Jazz Festival
December
- Feria de Artesania - craft fair in Paseo de Recoletos
- Christmas Fair - decorations and presents sold from stalls in Plaza Mayor
- Dia de los Inocentes - 28th December, similar to April Fools' day
- New Year's Eve - 31st December, crowds congregate at Puerte del Sol to watch fireworks. At midnight it is customary to eat one grape per strike of the clock
Surrounding Area Events nearby Madrid
Listed are some of the notable events in the region, for further local fiestas ask the tourist office.
Toledo
- March / April - Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- June - Corpus Cristi (Corpus Christi)
- August - La Asunción (Feast of the Assumption)
Illescas (Toledo Province)
- March - Festival of the Miracle of the Virgin of Charity
Camuñas (Toledo Province)
- June - mimed religious play
Consuegra (Toledo Province)
- October - Saffron Rose Festival
Segovia
- March / April - Semana Santa (Holy Week)
- June - Fiestas de San Juan y San Pedro (Festivals of St. John and St. Peter)
Zamarramala (Segovia Province)
- February - Santa Agueda fiestas
Cuenca
Located 165 km / 102 miles south-east of Madrid
- March / April - Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Ávila
- July - outdoor festival with arts, sports and theatre
- October - Santa Teresa Week
Candeleda (Ávila Province)
- September - Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Chilla