Madrid Festivals

One of Madrid's best characteristics is its never-ending supply of things to do. Not all of the events and festivals may be to your liking, but you'll be presented with a very long list to choose from.

Check out the cultural festivals organized by the city council. Two festivals include the Veranos de la Villa, Festival de San Isidiro and the Festival de Otoño. Don't worry about your budget -- most of these events are free and held outside, so you can enjoy a glass of Sangria under the stars while listening to music and chatting with friends.

JANUARY
5 Cabalgata de los Reyes (Parade of the Three Kings); an evening parade through the city center on floats. Brave the cold and watch the delight on children's faces as they finalize the Christmas season with all kinds of caramelos (rock candy) thrown to them by Papa Noel and the Tres Magos (Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men).

FEBRUARY
Carnaval (The days leading up to Lent) - No need to worry about all of the things you will giving up for Lent - you can wear your sins out with all of the of partying running through the streets. Never ones to be out-partied or out-costumed, the gay neighborhood, Chueca is where many locals start.

MARCH/APRIL
The somber Holy Week (Semana Santa) of Easter is celebrated in with Madrid by burning the dried palm reeds from Palm Sunday. If you really want to see this week celebrated with passion, take the one hour trip south to Toledo.

MAY
1 Dia del Obrero (Labor Day) -- celebrated in most countries, this is also the unofficial start of Madrid's many festivals, concerts, bullfights and parades that make Madrid absolutely magical during the early summer.

2 Fiesta del Dos de Mayo in Malasaña and elsewhere in Madrid. Bands and partying around the Plaza Dos de Mayo - a bit low-key in recent years, having been the funkiest festival in the city during the 1980s.

4 Dia de Communidad de Madrid - this is the festival for the Province of Madrid, so all of the suburbs join with Madrid to Celebrate. None really offer the tourist a strong reason to travel, but they do provide a reason for the people in those towns to stay home with their neighbors.

15 Fiestas de San Isidro - Madrid's patron saint - again, this starts practically at Labor Day and one of Spain's most celebrated and most important festivals. Clear your calendar to enjoy concerts at Plaza Mayor, Jardines de las Vistillas (below the Royal Palace) and other locations, plays for children, typical Bourbon-style dancing and on and on.

JUNE
13 Fiesta de la Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida -- come see why this smaller church is so important to Madrid and Spain. Noted for its sumptuous food, be sure to walk around the church and in the Parque de la Bombilla.

17-24 Fiestas de San Juan -- fireworks in El Retiro that will rival any American city's 4th of July..

AUGUST
6-15 Castizo fiestas. Traditional neighborhood festivals of San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Virgen de la Paloma. These fiestas take place in the barrios of La Latina and Lavapiés barrios . Much of the activity takes place around the Plaza de la Paja and the Jardines de las Vistillas.

DECEMBER
31 New Year's Eve (nochevieja) is a huge celebration, whether celebrated in bars, restaurants and the numerous parties throughout the city. Many locals have house parties, but no venue will rival Puerta del Sol, "Ground Zero" for die hard fans willing to brave the crowds and cold. As the clock on city hall chimes away, revelers follow tradition and swallow a grape on each strike.