Festivals and Events
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Cabalgata de los Reyes
The Three Kings parade through the streets throwing sweets to the children.
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Carnival
It’s not as big here as in other parts of Spain, but there’s a great party atmosphere just the same.
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Madrid Boat Show
At the Juan Carlos Exhibition Centre.
http://www.ifbso.com/single.asp?ShowID=75 -
International Gourmet Fair
Exhibitions, awards and much more at the Pabellón de Cristal.
http://www.gourmets.net -
Fiestas de San Isidro
A festival dedicated to Madrid’s Patron Saint. Live music, parades, street parties and special bullfighting events.
http://www.gomadrid.com/fiestas/madrid-fiestas -
Metrorock Festival
National and international bands at Juan Carlos I Park.
http://www.metrorock.net -
Veranos de la Villa
The largest city-sponsored arts festival in Madrid with performances of theatre, dance and music.
http://www.esmadrid.com/festivalveranosdelavilla -
Sunday bullfights
At the city’s premier bullring, Las Ventas.
http://www.las-ventas.com -
Feria de Aranjeuz
The re-enactment of a famous local mutiny and other festivities.
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Madrid Jazz Festival
http://www.esmadrid.com/festivaljazzmadrid -
Fiesta de la Virgen de la Almudena
The city’s female patron saint is celebrated with a Mass in the Plaza Mayor.
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New Year at Puerta del Sol
A big crowd gathers and it’s traditional to eat a grape for every one of the 12 chimes leading up to the stroke of midnight.
Theatre, Cinema and Opera
Spain’s national theatre and orchestra are based in Madrid and classical concerts are often held in many small but delightful venues. A night at the opera or the ballet at the opulent Teatro Real is unforgettable and surprisingly affordable. Elsewhere, there are dozens of theatrical venues featuring all kinds of work from the traditional rendering of the classics to avant-garde performances. The most prominent classical theatre companies are Centro Dramatico Nacional and the Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clasico. Madrid’s status as capital city ensures that it is an obvious stopping point for the biggest names in classical and contemporary music from around Europe. Spain’s national choir and orchestra are based at the Auditorio Nacional and the Teatro Real is home to the city’s Symphony Orchestra. Spanish cinema is enjoying a high profile outside Spain thanks to the success of people like Penelope Cruz (who’s from Madrid) and the director who made her famous, Pedro Almodovar. Cinema-going is very popular in Madrid and there are dozens of cinemas showing dubbed versions of the latest Hollywood fare as well as plenty of smaller art-house theatres which show a more offbeat selection of foreign or experimental films. The cinema is cheap by most European standards. For what’s going on in Madrid’s ever-changing nightlife, pick up a copy of the English language monthly newspaper In Madrid. There are several other good listings guides. See www.multimadrid.com/guides/guides_bot
Museums and Galleries
Apart from the magnificent Prado, two other must-see museums in Madrid are the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen. The Reina Sofia houses the important works of Spanish artists in the 20th century – Picasso’s famous Guernica painting is here and there are also pieces by Miró and Dali. http://museoreinasofia.mcu.es Originally a private collection before being taken over by the state, Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza's collection comprises more than 800 paintings. Here you can find exhibits from the 13th century to the present day, and thus follow the most important trends and movements in art over the past few hundred years. http://www.museothyssen.org. Also worth a visit is the Palacio Real – the Royal palace; most of the more important rooms are open to the public. www.patrimonionacional.es/en/preal/preal
For Children
The Spanish love children and they’ll be treated indulgently wherever they go. Restaurants and bars are child-friendly and most museums offer reduced admission for children between 4 and 12. Public transport is free for those under 4. Festivals usually offer fireworks, flame throwers and parades that kids love (although babies might not like the sheer amount of noise from firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.) Children might also enjoy the following:
- Museo de América – displays Spain’s collection of booty from the Americas and explains what Spain was doing there in the first place. Plenty to amuse children.
- Casa de Campo – park, amusements and zoo. www.parquedeatracciones.es
- Teleférico – cable car that runs to Casa de Campo www.teleferico.com
- The Bernabeu – home of the mighty Real Madrid football team. Stadium tours are available. www.gomadrid.com/activity/soccer_in_madrid
- Museo de Cera – Madrid’s waxworks museum www.museoceramadrid.com
For details of other events and attractions for children, go to: www.gomadrid.com/activity/children
