Every summer, the center of Madrid is transformed into a great festive scene with the traditional festivities of San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and the Virgen de la Paloma. This year, from August 5 to 17, the streets of neighborhoods such as Lavapiés, La Latina, Embajadores and El Rastro will be filled with music, color and traditions that attract both locals and visitors in search of the most authentic essence of the city.
Neighbors and visitors enjoy during these days of chulapos costumes, popular gastronomy, live music and the most summery night parties in Madrid. The festivities stand out for the neighborhood participation, the mix of tradition and modernity and the neighborhood spirit.
Verbena de San Cayetano (August 5 to 8)
The celebrations begin on August 5 with the opening speech in the Plaza del General Vara del Rey, by the residents of Calle del Oso, recognized for decades of participation and adornment of its streets. The party extends to other points such as the Plaza de Cascorro, Ribera de Curtidores and Calle del Oso itself, which distributes lemonade among the attendees.
During San Cayetano, the atmosphere is filled with children’s activities, exhibitions of giants and big-heads, workshops, flamenco performances, costume contests and lots of zarzuela. At nightfall, music takes over the stage with concerts by renowned artists such as Azúcar Moreno and Antón Cortés, and DJ sessions. Of course, there is no lack of religious devotion, with mass and procession from the parish of San Millán and San Cayetano.
Verbena de San Lorenzo (August 9 to 12)
The Lavapiés neighborhood takes over around Arturo Barea square and Argumosa street. San Lorenzo continues the party with children’s shows, workshops, water games and battles, gastronomic contests and a carefully planned program of concerts, with genres ranging from indie to jazz and tributes to Spanish pop classics, such as Fiesta Bresh (Saturday 9), Indievision (Sunday 10), La Cuarta Cuerda (Monday 11), among others.
The program also includes gourmet activities organized by neighborhood groups and workshops for children in different locations. On Sunday, August 10, the traditional water battle will take place. On the 10th, the church of San Lorenzo hosts the mass and procession in honor of the saint, one of the most emotional moments.
Verbena de la Virgen de la Paloma (August 14 to 17)
To close the festive cycle, the festivities of the Virgen de la Paloma conquer La Latina: gardens of Las Vistillas, Plaza de la Paja, Calle de la Paloma and Cava Baja will be the epicenter of family activities, shawl and traditional costume contests, face painting, shows for all ages and performances by stars such as Café Quijano (Saturday 16), Antonio Carmona (Thursday 14), Locomía (Saturday 16), Pol 3.14 (Friday 15), Return of the Decade (Sunday 17) and Malena Gracia (Saturday 16), among others.
The central day, August 15 (holiday for being the Assumption of the Virgin), begins with the traditional floral offering at the Colegio La Salle and the emotional descent of the picture of the Virgen de la Paloma by the firefighters, followed by the expected evening procession. The program is completed with championships of mus, parcheesi, acoustic music and children’s workshops, in a festive atmosphere in which the Manila shawls, combs, carnations and chotis shine.
You can consult the complete program in this link.