Discover the top events, festivals, and celebrations taking place in Madrid in 2024 with our calendar.
It’s always a good time to visit Madrid, because the Spanish capital has something going on 365 days a year.
In addition to visiting prestigious museums like the Prado and Reina Sofia, savoring local cuisine at the famous San Miguel Market, or having fun at Parque Warner, Madrid hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, which lets you discover a new side to the city each time you visit.
From the International Contemporary Art Fair to Christmas markets and Veranos de la Villa, keep reading to find out about all the most exciting events and celebrations happening in Madrid in 2024.
January events
- Three Kings Day, January 5. Every year Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar bring joy and magic to the streets of Spain during the traditional Three Kings Parade. In Madrid the main parade starts in Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz and ends at Cibeles, but there are also secondary parades in various neighborhoods.
- January sales. The highly anticipated winter sales usually begin around January 7, although it’s not uncommon to find shops offering discounts a few days earlier. There are many shopping options in the Spanish capital: Gran Vía is home to all the Inditex group stores (such as Zara), while Calle Serrano is a paradise for luxury brand enthusiasts. If you prefer more alternative and cutting-edge brands, Fuencarral is the place for you.
February events
- Chinese New Year, February 10. After bidding farewell to the Year of the Rabbit, the Year of the Dragon will be ushered in on February 10. As usual, this occasion will be celebrated in style in Madrid, with a rich program of activities for all tastes and ages. The heart of the celebrations is in the Usera neighborhood, where one of the most anticipated events takes place: the Grand Parade. In 2023, 600 artists participated in the parade.
- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid, February 14-18. Over five days, Spain’s most important fashion designers will showcase their next autumn-winter season collections on the runways of Fashion Week. For fashion fanatics this is the perfect time to visit Madrid.
March events
- ARCOmadrid, March 6-10. The International Contemporary Art Fair celebrates its 43rd edition in 2024, focusing on the Caribbean. They hope to repeat the success of 2023 with the participation of 211 galleries from 36 different countries. During the first few days, entry is restricted to industry professionals, but from 3pm on March 8 the fair is open to everyone.
And if, after visiting the event, you’re hankering for more art, remember that in Madrid you can visit some of Europe’s most important museums, such as the Prado, the Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
- Holy Week, March 24-31. If you visit Madrid at the end of March, you’ll be lucky enough to witness the fervor of the Holy Week processions. One of the most popular is La Borriquita, which goes from the Almudena Cathedral to Plaza de San Ildefonso in Malasaña.
Those with extra time on their hands might also like to visit Alcalá de Henares, a city located just over 30km from Madrid, which has a Holy Week that’s been declared a National Tourist Interest Festival. It’s a great opportunity to discover the historic buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage site.Otherwise, head to Chinchón around 45km from Madrid. It’s known as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. On Holy Saturday night in the city’s historic center they stage The Passion of Christ, a live representation of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
April events
- Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid, April 28. At the end of April, 38,000 people from around the world will participate in the Madrid Marathon, one of Spain’s major athletics events. The 42km route covers some of the city’s most iconic locations, including the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, and the Paseo del Arte. For those looking for a less challenging option, you can sign up for the 21km or 10km race.
May events
- Community of Madrid Day, May 2. On this day the Community of Madrid commemorates the rebellion of the people of Madrid against the Napoleonic troops in 1808. The famous Spanish painter Goya depicted this battle in two of his most famous paintings The 2nd of May 1808 and The 3rd of May 1808, both of which are displayed at the Prado Museum.
On May 2 and the days leading up to it, Madrid hosts numerous exciting events, such as battle reenactments. In 2023 around 300 people in period costumes participated. Other highly anticipated initiatives include the concerts held in various areas of Madrid, including Plaza Mayor.
- San Isidro Festival, May 3-15. From the beginning of the month until May 15, the Day of San Isidro Labrador (the city’s patron saint), Madrid hosts a grand celebration. If you plan to visit the Spanish capital during these days, be sure to attend the pilgrimage to Pradera de San Isidro. The atmosphere is incomparable, featuring chulapos and chulapas dressed in traditional costumes and offering rosquillas (Spanish donuts) and lemonade. There are many other events, including concerts and performances on the stages of Plaza Mayor, Las Vistillas, and Matadero. Don’t miss the giants and ‘cabezudos’ (big heads) parade, which marks the official start of the festivities.
June events
- Madrid Book Fair, May 21 – June 16. Come spring and literature enthusiasts are in for a treat. The Madrid Book Fair takes place in Retiro Park and in recent years featured over 350 stands. In addition to discovering the latest literary works, it’s a unique opportunity to meet your favorite authors, who are often available to sign their own works. For the 2024 Madrid Book Fair there will be a stand dedicated to African literature, with the aim of showcasing the continent’s rich literary tradition.
- LGBTIQA+ Pride festivals. Each year the celebrations start at the end of June, coinciding with International Pride Day, and last about a week. MADO (Madrid Pride) is a party for everyone and is a massive event that celebrates equality and diversity in an outrageous and fun way. The most important event is the national LGBTIQA+ pride parade, which takes place on the first Saturday of July. In recent years, more than 2 million people have participated, making it one of the largest Prides in Europe.
In addition to the grand parade the streets of Madrid, especially in the Chueca neighborhood, host cultural activities, conferences, performances, musical shows and events, such as the famous High Heel Race, a Madrid Pride classic.
July events
- Mad Cool, July 11-13. Since 2016 Mad Cool has become an unmissable event for music lovers and festival goers. This event combines concerts by internationally renowned artists with a wide range of cultural activities, from photography to cinema and gastronomy. With a lineup covering various music genres, Mad Cool has established itself on the international scene as one of the leading European music festivals.
- Veranos de la Villa. Celebrating its 40th edition in 2024, Veranos de la Villa brings something special to Madrid’s summer evenings in July and August. With a packed program of shows and concerts for all tastes and ages, the festival is held in various areas and locations in the Spanish capital. Many events are free and include circus performances, dance, opera, zarzuela, and much more. Several exhibitions of contemporary art will also be on offer.
August events
- Verbena de la Paloma. Madrid’s summer can be scorching, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations have to come to an end. Around August 15 a series of religious festivities and processions dedicated to saints take place, with the most important being the Verbena de la Paloma. It’s a traditional event held in the streets of Madrid in honor of the Madonna of La Paloma. The festival features the procession of the Virgen de la Paloma, along with concerts, contests, and delicious tapas. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Madrid’s folklore, admire people dressed in traditional chulapa attire and see them dancing the chotis.
September events
- Apertura, from the second Thursday in September. This event is a dream for art lovers. With the opening of the new exhibition season, the association of Madrid art galleries organizes a weekend filled with events and free exhibitions in various locations across the city. Celebrated since 2009, Apertura honors art in various forms, offering a program that covers prestigious institutions but also includes hidden gems and unique contemporary art exhibitions. There are also guided tours on offer to admire the city’s beautiful squares and monuments.
- Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. For one night the Salamanca district comes to life with late-night shopping, fashion shows, DJ sets, and presentations of new autumn-winter collections. Don’t be surprised if you run into models, designers and entertainment industry personalities in the streets of Madrid. You’ll also get to take advantage of shopping discounts and participate in a photo session. Organized by Vogue, the event is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer in the most glamorous way possible.
October events
- Architecture Week. Dedicated to architecture, this week offers a rich program of lectures, guided tours, workshops, and children’s activities. The festival is organized by the Architecture Foundation (COAM) in collaboration with the city and region of Madrid. Each year in addition to celebrating Madrid and Spanish architecture, a foreign country is invited to showcase its most significant works and famous architects.
- Suma Flamenca Festival. For about a month the municipalities of the Madrid region, with their epicenter in the capital, host a festival entirely dedicated to flamenco. Rooted in tradition but looking toward innovation and the future, the Suma Flamenca festival brings leading flamenco figures to theaters and cultural centers in Madrid. It also has a program entirely dedicated to emerging talents. It’s a great opportunity to attend dance shows, guitar concerts, and singing performances in Madrid’s theaters.
November events
- Science Week. For two weeks a packed science program is on offer with the goal of bringing people closer to science and technology, addressing current issues that will become increasingly important in the near future. Choose from numerous events, workshops, seminars, conferences, film screenings, and more, accessible to the general public and mostly free of charge.
Institutions, universities, research centers, museums, and foundations, which bring the latest advances in various scientific fields to the city, will be involved. Many initiatives are also dedicated to kids, with laboratories and special events.
- Autumn Festival. What better way to prepare for the winter season than with a city-wide festival featuring dance, theater, concerts, workshops, and many other activities dedicated to the performing arts. Celebrating its 42nd edition in 2024, the Autumn Festival takes place on various stages, from the city’s main theaters to unconventional and even hidden locations. Each year new participating theater companies and new synergies enrich the program, celebrating diversity in all its forms.
December events
- Christmas markets. Christmas is no small matter in Madrid. That’s why every year Christmas markets light up various parts of the city and become the ideal places to buy gifts or stock up on local products. One of the most popular markets is held in Plaza Mayor. It has over 100 stalls and brims with good old-fashioned Christmas cheer. To immerse yourself even more in the magical atmosphere of the season, don’t miss the ice-skating rinks near the Reina Sofia Museum or Puente del Rey.Venture off the beaten track and you can also find some more unusual markets, featuring everything from handicrafts to flowers, vintage goods, food trucks and much more.
- New Year’s Eve Party at Puerta del Sol, December 31. According to tradition Madrid celebrates the end of the year and the beginning of the new one in Puerta del Sol square. Here, people wait for the twelve chimes of the clock at the Royal House of the Post Office, eating a grape with each chime, a Spanish tradition believed to bring good luck for the new year. The fun goes on into the early hours with concerts, stalls and an irresistible festive atmosphere.
Please note: Event dates and programs may change during the year. It’s advisable to visit the official event page for the latest updates.
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