The Fiestas de la Paloma are already kicking off in Madrid: four days of free concerts, street parties, and tradition right in the heart of the city

The Virgen de la Paloma Festival puts the finishing touch on Madrid’s summer festivities with a program ranging from chotis dancing to free concerts by Miss Caffeina and a waiters’ race.

La Paloma 2026 — Image courtesy of: Madrid City Council and Barcex / Wikimedia Commons

Isabel Nieto

– Editor

· August 11, 2026

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Following the San Cayetano and San Lorenzo festivals, this Thursday will mark the conclusion of Madrid’s August festival trio with the celebration of the 2026 Fiestas de la Virgen de La Paloma, an event that will take place from Thursday, August 13, through Sunday, August 16.

There are, therefore, several days ahead before it’s time to put away the shawl and the parpusa once again: the epicenter of the festivities will be spread out, once again this year, between the two main stages at the Jardines de las Vistillas and the Plaza de la Paja.

That’s where the headliners of the free concerts will perform, featuring acts such as Celtas Cortos, Los Refrescos, Modestia Aparte, Fernandisco, Miss Caffeina, and Karavana, joined by DJs and orchestras.

Beyond the musical program, it’s worth highlighting the role of the neighborhood and merchant associations of Lavapiés and La Paloma, which add the touch of color, neighborhood spirit, and traditional charm that makes these festivities so unique—through activities such as drinking contests using a botijo and a porrón, a barrel organ exhibition, and traditional performances.

Complete schedule for the 2026 Fiestas de la Paloma

Thursday, August 13

Traditional La Paloma Hot Chocolate Party (11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Organized by: AEHLPA (Association of Business Owners and Restaurateurs of La Paloma). Calle de Calatrava (nos. 3–10).
Sack Race (12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Organizedby: AEHLPA. Location: C/ Mediodía Chica.
Barrel organ performance (August 13–16). From 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calle de Calatrava, 3.
Children’s workshops on fan painting and puppet making (7:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Parcheesi and checkers tournaments (August 13–16). From 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Organized by: Cava Baja Business Association. Info: pablo@skisabica.com. Cava Baja.
Chotis Dance Contest (maximum 10 couples). Registration half an hour before the event (7:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Traditional performance by Mari Pepa de Chamberí, “Viva La Paloma” (8:00 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Traditional performance by El Orgullo de Madrid (8:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Star performance by Orquesta Tucán (9:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Headlining performance by Celtas Cortos (9:30 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
The mariachi band sings to the Virgin (August 13–16). From 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calle del Humilladero, 28.
DJ Lady Tupé (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
DJ Alberto Hache (11:00 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Salve to the Virgin of La Paloma, led by Manuel de Segura (12:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.

Friday, August 14

Image courtesy of: Javier Pérez Montes / Wikimedia Commons

4th Annual Traditional International Mus Championship (12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). In-person registration (for both members of each pair) at 12:00 p.m. on August 14 at the entrance to Casa Lucio (Cava Baja, 35). Organized by: ADELA (La Latina Business Association)
Cava Baja and Plaza del Humilladero.
Waiters’ Race. From 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calatrava Street (from No. 3 to No. 26).
High-Heel Race. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calatrava Street (from No. 3 to No. 26).
“Chulapo Costumes” Children’s Contest. Registration half an hour before the event (7:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Chulapo parade with a traditional brass band by Mazo de Madrid (7:15 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Pasodoble Contest. Registration half an hour before the event (7:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Traditional performance by the Agrupación de Madrileños y Amigos Los Castizos (8:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Kpopstar Family Activity (8:00 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Puerto Rican plena performance. From 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calle de Tabernillas, 15.
A stellar performance by “Regreso a los 80,” featuring Los Refrescos, Modestia Aparte, and Fernandisco (9:00 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Headlining performance by Regreso a los 90 featuring Eva Martí (9:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
DJ Paulo (11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
DJ Pakito (11:00 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Salve to the Virgin of La Paloma, led by Elena Rodríguez Vidal (12:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.

Saturday, August 15

Image courtesy of: Barcex / Wikimedia Commons and Madrid City Council

Traditional Interlude (12:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Floral Offering to the Virgin of La Paloma (12:45 p.m.). Location: Facade of the La Salle-La Paloma School, 19–21 Paloma St.
Solemn Mass (1:00 p.m.). Location: Church of the Virgin of La Paloma.
Fan Contest (1:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Manila Shawl Contest (1:30–2:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Procession carrying the painting of the Virgin, led by the Madrid City Council Fire Department honor guard (2:15 p.m.). Location: Church of the Virgin of La Paloma.
Procession of the Virgin of La Paloma, departing from the church itself (7:30 p.m.). Location: Church of the Virgin of La Paloma.
Family activity “Journey to the Espapirifactic World” (8:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Traditional performance by Olga María Ramos (8:00 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Headlining performance by Depol (9:30 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Fiesta Roneo Brunch, hosted by La Plazuela (9:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
DJ Boti On The Beat (11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
DJ Bea Miau By Vibra Mahou (11:00 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Salve to the Virgin of La Paloma, led by Mari Pepa de Chamberí (12:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.

Sunday, August 16

Traditional Vermouth (12:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
“Drinking from a Botijo” Children’s Contest (1:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Vermouth and Poetry Reading. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calatrava Street.
First Traditional Water Festival on Calatrava Street. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calatrava Street.
“Beber en porrón” Adult Contest (7:00 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Lemonade giveaway. From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calatrava Street.
Puerto Rican plena workshop. From 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Organized by: AEHLPA. Calle de Tabernillas, 15.
A traditional joint performance by the Agrupación Castiza El Orgullo de Madrid and the Agrupación de Madrileños y Amigos Los Castizos (7:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Traditional performance by Elena Rodríguez (8:00 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Awards Ceremony (8:45 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Headlining performance by Miss Caffeina (9:30 p.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
Headlining performance by Karavana (9:30 p.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
DJ El Pulpo (11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.). Jardines de las Vistillas.
DJ Tama (11:00 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.
Salve to the Virgin of La Paloma, led by María Rodríguez Sanz (12:00 a.m.). Plaza de la Paja.

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