From soaking up cutting-edge culture to celebrating the local traditions, madrid eventos hoy calendar has something for everyone. Here are a few highlights:
August 15: Virgen de la Paloma (La Latina, Lavapies and Las Vistillas areas). A lively festival that belies the city’s midsummer image of a lethargic ghost town.
Enjoy a month of theatre, dance and music at various venues with this world-class event.
Suma Flamenca
The city’s festivals offer a glimpse into Spain’s rich cultural tapestry. Many showcase theatre, music and dance performances at venues across Madrid. Others are a chance to celebrate the city’s neighborhoods and their unique identities. These events are a must-see for expats looking to get a taste of the real Madrid.
This year’s Suma Flamenca is dedicated to the renowned cantaor Enrique Morente, with 45 shows spread out over eleven Madrid venues. Several world premieres are included, with performers such as Bonela Son (Malaga singer), Gregorio Valderrama (from Jaen), the José del Tomato trio (Golden Almeria), and Antonio Campos and Miguel Ochando (Airs of Granada).
The festival’s pre-festival program includes an exhibition titled “Flamenco in the dramatic black moon: The discography through the Carlos Martin Ballester Collection” at the Ateneo de Madrid.
Festimad
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or moving here permanently, Madrid’s event calendar is packed with something to suit all tastes. Theatre, dance, circus performances and poetry readings rub shoulders with cutting-edge art and one of Europe’s biggest pride parades.
Get up close with the raw passion of flamenco song and dance on this day trip to the renowned tablaos (Various venues. From 4 October to 6 January). Discover iconic behind-the-scenes moments from some of your favorite Harry Potter movies on this day drip from Madrid (Juan March Foundation. 18 Oct-12 Jan). An exhibit that revives the cultural, creative and intellectual boom of the Weimer Republic in a time marked by uncertainty and instability (CaixaForum Madrid. Till 16 February).
San Isidro Festival
The 15th of May is a day to honor Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro. In the city center, street performances and special concerts enliven this event.
Locals dress as chulapos for the occasion, and this is one of the best times to experience the culture and traditions of Madrid. Women wear a Manila shawl and a headscarf, while men wear a checkered waistcoat and flat hat. A red carnation is pinned to the lapel.
Plaza Mayor and Las Vistillas are the main stages for these festivities, but events can also be found in other neighborhoods of the city center. Music is the guiding thread of these nights, and you can enjoy concerts of various styles, from tango to electronic music. In addition, there are many gastronomic specialties like fried lamb intestines and rosquillas.
Jazz Festival
Jazz lovers in Madrid can indulge in a variety of concerts and activities during this festival that takes over the city. The program includes everything from classic music to the latest trends in this genre. The festival’s aim is to create an aesthetic balance between traditional and innovative proposals.
Until November 30, the capital will become a reference point for this musical genre. The official programme will take place at several municipal venues such as the Fernan Gomez theater, Centro Cultural de la Villa and CentroCentro. It will also feature performances by artists such as saxophonist Antonio Lizana and pianists Alex Conde and Chico Perez. The festival will also include a number of tributes to Spanish artists. For example, the concert at Sala Clamores will be a tribute to flamenco expressiveness.
Carnaval
Known for its flamboyant parades and fan-favorite events, Carnaval is an explosion of color, music, and energy that brings the streets of Madrid to life. You can expect a wide array of spectacles, including the High-Heel Race, where competitors compete in heels up to 15 cm tall; the lusty King and his concubines who scandalize the town with their sexy behavior; the debauched Nit dels Mascarots dance; and much more.
It’s also a great time to try some traditional foods like el entresijo and gallinejas, lamb intestines fried in fat. If you wear a costume, you get 20% discount for the Carnival Night Pub Crawl.
