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 2012 / 2013
February
March
April
May
June
August
September
October
November
December
Surrounding Area Events nearby Madrid
Illescas (Toledo Province)
Camuñas (Toledo Province)
Consuegra (Toledo Province)
Segovia
Zamarramala (Segovia Province)
Cuenca
Ávila
Candeleda (Ávila Province)
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
Listed are some of the notable events in the region, for further local fiestas ask the tourist office.
Toledo
Located 165 km / 102 miles south-east of Madrid
