There are just a few days left until the official start of the 2026 San Isidro Festival in Madrid, which will be held from May 7 to 17, with popular culture and traditional Madrid spirit taking center stage. One of the activities that will kick off the festivities will be the traditional parade of Giants and Bigheads.
The parade, organized year after year by the association that has kept this tradition alive, brings together historical figures from Madrid who have been enlivening the San Isidro festivities for more than half a century.
Among those who will parade through the streets of Madrid next Thursday, May 7, at 6:30 p.m. are giants such as the chulapos Julián and Mari Pepa, Alfonso VI, La Latina, and Manolita Malasaña, and big-heads such as Lola La Naranjera, Marizápalos, Luis Candelas, El Francesillo, Tía Javiera, and Doña Cundis.
The Giants and Bigheads will dance through some of the capital’s most traditional streets to the sound of the dulzaina and tamboril, and upon their arrival at Plaza de la Villa, the official opening of the festivities will take place with a proclamation by journalist Sonsoles Ónega at 8:00 p.m.
Route of the Giants and Bigheads Parade
The Giants and Bigheads will depart from the Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of Madrid at 6:30 p.m. and will follow this route:
- C/ Carlos Arniches
- Plaza del General Vara de Rey
- C/ de las Amazonas
- Plaza del Cascorro
- C/ de los Estudios
- C/ Toledo
- Colegiata San Isidro
- C/ Toledo
- C/ Tintoreros
- C/ de Cuchilleros
- Cava de San Miguel
- Travesía de Bringas
- C/ Mayor
- Plaza de la Villa
- C/ Mayor
- Plaza de San Miguel
- C/ del Conde Miranda
- Plaza del Conde de Barajas
- C/ de la Pasa
- Plaza de Puerta Cerrada
- Plaza Segovia Nueva
- C/ de Toledo
- López Silva Street