Discover the top events, festivals, and celebrations taking place in Madrid in 2025 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, you can discover a new side to the city each time you visit, as the city plays hosts to numerous events and festivals throughout the year.
Keep reading to find out about all the most exciting events and celebrations happening in Madrid in 2025, from the International Contemporary Art Fair to Christmas markets and Veranos de la Villa.
January events
- Three Kings Day Parade, 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.
- Chinese New Year, January 25-26 to February 1-2. On January 29, we bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Snake. As usual, this occasion will be celebrated in style in Madrid, with a rich program of activities for all tastes and ages, which in 2025 will be celebrated either on January 25-26 or February 1-2. The heart of the celebrations is in the Usera neighborhood, where one of the most anticipated events takes place: the Grand Parade. In past years as many as 600 artists have participated in the parade.
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February events
- 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.
- Madrid Design Festival, February 12-23. In February Madrid becomes the European capital of design with the Madrid Design Festival. More than 50 exhibitions, 700 professionals, and the unmissable event Madrid DesignPRO celebrate the dialogue between design, art, fashion, and science. A unique creative experience that involves the entire city.
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March events
- ARCOmadrid, March 5-9. The International Contemporary Art Fair celebrates its 44th edition in 2025, with the Amazon as its theme. They hope to repeat the success of 2024 with the participation of 205 galleries from 36 different countries. 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.
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April events
- Holy Week, April 11-20. If you visit Madrid mid-April, 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. - Zurich Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Madrid, April 27. 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.
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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 and concerts. - San Isidro Festival, until 15 May. From the start of the month until May 15, Madrid hosts a grand celebration in honor of the Day of San Isidro Labrado. 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.
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June events
- Madrid Book Fair, May 30 – June 15. 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.
- LGBTIQA+ Pride festivals, end of June. 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.
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July events
- Mad Cool, July 9-12. 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. In the months of July and August, a cultural program returns to liven up those warm summer evenings (the official program will be announced in June). Many events are free and include theater performances, circus, dance, opera, zarzuela, and much more. Several exhibitions of contemporary art will also be on offer.
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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.
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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, date to be confirmed. 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.
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October events
- Architecture Week, dates to be confirmed. Dedicated to architecture, these two weeks offer 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, mid-October to start of November. 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.
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November events
- Science Week, dates to be confirmed. 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, almost all November. 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 43rd edition in 2025, 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.
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December events
- Christmas markets, all December. 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.
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Please note: Event dates and programs may change during the year. It’s advisable to visit the official event page for the latest updates.
Planning a trip to Madrid?
Discover our best experiences:
- Nat Geo Day Tour: Private Early-Access Guided Tour of Madrid’s Thyssen Museum
- Nat Geo Day Tour: Madrid’s History: The Royal Palace and Lunch at the World’s Oldest Restaurant
- Retiro Park private tour with local guide
Or continue your search on our website: https://www.musement.com/uk/madrid/