Schmap.com supports the following browsers:
PC
 Street parties on hot nights |
Recinto Ferial San Francisco de Sales-Pablo Iglesias Madrid 28003 Spain |
Chamberi and Vallecas neighbourhoods come to life around July 16 every year to celebrate their patron saint. Secluded Plaza Chamber costs the opening ceremony as well as an open-air party and children's shows. The main action takes place over at the fairground site on the junction of Calle San Francisco and Calle Pablo Iglesias. Along with all the rides and stalls, there are games for children in the mornings and live music in the evenings. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Madrid's most traditional fiestas |
Plaza Lavapiés Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 540 4010 |
The locals get dressed up in traditional 19th-century costume, the streets are decorated and street parties are organized with live music where everyone drinks lemonade and eats aubergine fritters. These are Madrid's popular working class celebrations that involve religious processions in the evening leaving from churches on Calle Embajadores, Calle Salitre and Calle La Paloma. They take place from the first weekend in August to the middle of the month. They start with San Cayetano's feast day around Plaza de Cascorro, followed by San Lorenzo near Plaza de Lavapi and ends with La Paloma along Calle La Paloma and Las Vistillas park. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Gay and Lesbian Pride |
Fuencarral, 37 COGAM (Colectivo de Lesbianas y Gays de Madrid) Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain |
June 28 is the official Gay and Lesbian Pride Day, although festivities commemorating New York's Stonewall protests now last an entire week. The majority of events take place on Calle Pelayo in Chueca, Madrid's gay neighbourhood. There are organised events, including concerts, races (the high-heeled race is most fun), theatre shows and competitions. The most important event is the march for equal rights that brings together over 100000 people from all around Spain. Despite its political tone, it's a colourful, good-humoured occasion. It starts at Puerta de Alcalá and ends up at Puerta del Sol. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jose Luis Albert  |
 Photo: Pablo Gabriel |
 Photo: lefthandrotation.com |
 Photo: Glenda Belusic |
 Photo: MadRod1968 |
 First summer party |
Recinto ferial Parque de la Bombilla Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida Madrid 28008 Spain |
One of the city's first fiestas of the summertime provides locals with a good excuse to dress up, go walking, eat, drink, dance and listen to music. The religious part takes place in the morning of June 13, when the smartly dressed crowds visit San Antonio's chapel on the banks of the River Manzanares. Then there's lunch on the terraces or a picnic before heading to the fair ground with its stalls full of traditional products and drinks for sale, its children's amusement rides, and live pop and rock bands. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Katie Goldstein |
|
Madrid's patron saint celebrations |
Plaza Mayor / Las Vistillas Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain |
Madrid's fiesta par excellence is one of the few chances you'll get to see madrileos take a break from business to dress in traditional 19th-century costumes to head for the fair to visit San Isidoro's chapel. You'll see theatre shows, traditional dancing, pop, rock, folk and flamenco concerts in Plaza Mayor and Las Vistillas. The big day is the Sunday closest to May 15, when the Spanish Army serves an enormous batch of cocido madrileo (typical tripe stew) for the masses in Plaza Mayor. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Osvaldo Gago |
 Photo: Marcus Kazmierczak |
 Photo: Gustavo Siles |
 Photo: Perinola Salas |
 Photo: ToxJCD |
|
Open-air parties and other festivities |
Plaza del 2 de Mayo Las Vistillas Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain |
These celebrations commemorate the population of Madrid's resistance to Napoleon's invasion on May 2, 1808. You'll see some of the most impressive outdoor festivities in Malasaa district. Every year on the night of May 1 there's a spectacular fireworks display in Jardines de las Vistillas (Vistillas Gardens) and a traditional military display in Plaza de Oriente during the afternoon. In addition, there are bullfights in Las Ventas ring. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Bonfires & Street Parties Til Midnight |
Parque de la Cornisa (San Francisco el Grande) Madrid 28026 Spain |
Bonfires and fireworks light up the night skies on Jun 22 and 23 to celebrate the summer solstice, an ancient tradition that's becoming more and more popular in Madrid. Bring along any old furniture, broken toys or even papier-mache models of politicians you despise and throw them on the flames. Try popular meeting points like Parque de la Cornisa (next to San Francisco el Grande church), Parque de San Juan (Ciudad Lineal), open spaces in Hortaleza district or Vallecas and Vicaro fairgrounds if you want to join in the fun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Busy streets and festive fun |
Puerta del Sol Plaza Mayor Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 5404010 |
Christmas Day in Madrid is reserved for family celebrations and a visit to one of the spectacular nativity scenes which are always set up in Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Casa de Campo park and the Catedral de la Almudena. There is plenty of children's entertainment over the festive season, including puppet shows in Parque del Retiro, and a circus in Las Ventas bullring. From early December there's always a bustling Christmas market selling trees, lights, sweets and decorations in Plaza Mayor. Free admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |