Madrid festivals
Madrid is always a lot of fun, but it’s even more fun if you can visit this wonderful city during one of the amazing festivals that are held here every year. Learn more about the Spanish traditions during the Fiesta de San Isidro or the Fiesta de San Juan, join the water fight of the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen or bring a nightly visit to a museum during the Noche en Blanco. Here you can read more about the most famous festivals in Madrid.
Fiesta de San Isidro
The Fiesta de San Isidro is probably the most important event in Madrid. This traditional festival is held in the middle of May. The San Isidro festival is dedicated to the city’s patron saint called San Isidro Labrador. During the event you can attend all kinds of different festivities with live-music and typical food from the region. You will be overwhelmed by the beautiful traditional Spanish costumes and you can also discover Madrid’s typical folkloric dance: the chotis. But most of all the festival is known for its bullfights. In the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas will be held bullfights every day during the festival.
Address: Plaza de Toros de las Ventas
Fiesta de San Juan
On the longest day of the year, around the 21st of June, the Fiesta de San Juan is held at the Plaza de San Juan, in the Huertas district and in the Retiro Park. It’s an old traditional festival that goes back to Neolithic times. The festival is celebrated with bonfires, music and a lot of food and drinks.
Address: Plaza de San Juan
Veranos de la Villa
From the end of June till the end of August it is party time in Madrid. Almost whole summer long you can enjoy all kinds of festivities; dance, art, live-music, theatre, film…What do you prefer? Especially the impressive flamenco performances are very popular among as well the tourists as the locals. Are you already familiar with Zarzuela? This is the right opportunity to learn more about this Spanish operetta. Also your children will have a great time during the Veranos de la Villa with storytellers and funny puppet theatre shows in the Retiro Park.
Batalla Naval
Are you planning your city break Madrid in July, then maybe you will get the chance to experience the spectacular Batalla Naval event in the Vallecas district in Madrid. Attention; only for people who don’t care to get soaking wet! The Batalla Naval is a big water fight to honor the local patron saint Virgen del Carmen. This event is part of the Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen. The people in the street carry water blasters, buckets, water hoses or anything else that can be used to participate in the water fight. It will be a whole different experience to be part of this popular event in Madrid. Afterwards you can join the big party with concerts and DJ’s.
Address: Vallecas district
La Noche en Blanco
La Noche en Blanco or the White Night is held every year in September. Also in many other European cities the White Night is a popular event. During the Noche en Blanco different museums, monuments, art galleries and theatres are open to the public. Besides the regular exhibitions in the museums and galleries a lot of spectacular special events will be organized. Through the whole city you will bump into street theatre acts and concerts on the plazas and in the streets. Are you thinking of travelling to Madrid in September, make sure you don’t miss this cultural night!
Estampa
Estampa is an international print and contemporary art editions fair in Madrid. In October 2010 the 18th edition of the Estampa fair will take place. The festival takes place in the enormous exhibition centre IFEMA, where you can watch all different kinds of art for example lithographic work, etching and water-color paintings. But there will also be exhibitions with photography and video. Estampa is not only for famous artists, because also upcoming new artists will get the opportunity to show their work. Every year Estampa invites a special guest artist.
Address: IFEMA Feria de Madrid, 28042 Madrid