One of the city’s non-negotiable things to do, catching a passionate Flamenco show is a must. Or, for an audible delight, check out a concert at the Spanish National Orchestra.
Located in an opulent 19th-century palace, this eventos hoy en madrid museum is a sure-fire delight for history buffs and art lovers. Wander through countless rooms and gawk at rare furniture, paintings and other artifacts.
Festimad
The oldest annual festival in Madrid, claiming to show that “rock never dies”, this alternative music event attracts the creme de la creme of the Spanish and European independent scene. Past performers include Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Amaral or Dover among many others.
New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) is a big deal in Madrid, with festivities starting well before midnight in Puerta del Sol. The official countdown is done with the tolling of bells and a ritual grape-eating: participants try to finish a bunch before the final toll, believing this brings good luck for the coming year. The celebrations then continue across the city centre with music and dancing.
San Isidro Festival
The Pradera de San Isidro is the heart of the festival, a place that mixes tradition with fun. It’s where locals and visitors gather to see Madrid in a different way, enjoying its most characteristic customs.
During the festival, the city is filled with music and dancing. Among the most popular events are the “chotis”, which is Madrid’s typical music and dance, although it is actually Scottish in origin. Goya was inspired by the chotis and immortalized it in many paintings.
The celebrations are rooted in religious tradition, but they have grown over time to become a blend of old and modern traditions. They last several days and involve numerous activities, from verbenas and concerts to theater performances and gastronomy. The festival is a must-see event for every visitor to Madrid.
Suma Flamenca
Whether you’re visiting Madrid for a week or making the move to this vibrant city, there is no shortage of events to keep you busy. From religious processions to cutting-edge arts festivals and one of the biggest pride parades in Europe, the Spanish capital has something for everyone.
This year, the Community of Madrid celebrates its commitment to new talents with Suma Flamenca Joven, a series of four galas featuring soloists in singing, guitar, and dance under 30. The festival’s director, Antonio Benamargo, says this edition aims to weave a narrative and aesthetic around the legacy of Enrique Morente, one of Spain’s most celebrated cantaors.
Autumn Flamenco Festival
The Festival has a strong international vocation with three world premieres and twelve Spanish premieres from creators such as Amancio Prada, Robert Lepage, Wadji Mouawad, Rafael Spregelburd, Tim Etchells, Jo Stromgren and Thaddeus Phillips, among others. It includes theatre, dance and music in 25 shows in different venues throughout Madrid, including Teatro del Canal, Conde Duque, Teatro de la Abadia and Espacio Abierto Quinta de los Molinos.
A gala focusing on the figure of the flamenco dancer as virtuoso and innovator, continually drawing from tradition but always reinventing itself. Two performers will wear the traditional bata de cola, and will combine its voluminous folds with the fluidity of contemporary self-presentation.
Jazz Festival
During the month of November, Madrid vibrates to the rhythm of jazz with one of the most important events of its genre in Europe. This festival offers concerts in different theatres and halls of the city with great jazz artists.
This year, women make up more than a third of the programme. Among them, some already with a consolidated musical career like Cyrille Aimee or Corinne Bailey Rae, as well as Irene Reig and Juan Saiz, saxophonists from the Arturo Soria Conservatory, pianist Moises P. Sanchez and drummer Eva Catala.
Besides promoting Spanish musicians and artists, the festival seeks to show that technique is not everything. It also highlights creators on the edge of jazz seeking new formulas to adapt ethnic rhythms to the idiom of the music.
