Street musicians provide the soundtrack to the lives of Madrid’s strollers: since time immemorial, the city center has welcomed, with more or less enthusiasm, saxophonists, singers and other street performers.
Nowadays, in emblematic points of the city such as the Templo de Debod, the Retiro or the Plaza del Cascorro, it is easy to hear the melody of a Spanish guitar creating a lively atmosphere around it. However, the regularization of this type of performances is getting stricter and stricter, to the point that Gran Vía, the artery of the street show par excellence, is going to do without its shows on the sidewalks in 2025.
The street of Sevilla on the corner of Alcalá, a few meters from Gran Vía, will also dispense with its street musicians. This was decided by the Board of the Central District last Tuesday, December 3. The Official State Gazette published the measure this Monday.
The Madrid City Council states that the new rule aims to avoid the crowds that occur in the street in and around the big theaters, since street music shows usually attract a large number of people because they are free of charge.
Authorizations to play in the street
The December 3 decree makes another substantial change for street musicians: it has cut authorizations to play in public spaces by half. It will only provide 250 per calendar year, which will be personal and non-transferable. The Municipal Police can ask soloists or music groups for these authorizations at any time, and suspend the performance in case they do not have the corresponding permits.
The maximum hours of authorization are the same as last year: from 12:00 to 14:00 h in the morning and from 18:00 to 21:00 h in the afternoon. Depending on the public space, it will be possible to play every day of the week or only from Friday to Sunday.
Authorized public spaces
With percussion elements, without sound amplification.
Monday to Sunday
- Paseo de Recoletos (from Cibeles square to Colón)
- Calle Carmen (between Callao and Rompelanzas)
- Calle Alcalá (from Cibeles to Puerta del Sol)
- Plaza de Callao
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza de Celenque
- Plaza de las Descalzas
- Carretas Street
Without percussion elements or sound amplification.
Friday to Sunday
- Carmen Street
- Juan Goytisolo Square
- Arturo Barea Square
- Plaza de Lavapiés
- Tirso de Molina Square
- Plaza de la Villa
- Arenal Street
- Plaza de las Comendadoras
- Plaza de Carlos Cambronero
- Plaza de la Villa de París
- Guardias de Corps Square
- Cristino Martos Square
- Pez Street
- Dore Passage
- Jacinto Benavente Square
- Jardines del Cabo Noval
- Lepanto Gardens
- Plaza de Oriente (central area)
- Plaza de la Armería
- Paseo del Prado
- Plaza de Santa María Soledad
- Acosta Towers
- Plaza de Santo Domingo
- Sabatini Gardens
- Plaza de Santa Cruz
- Plaza de la Provincia
- Cebada Square
- Gabriel Miró Square
- Plaza Antón Martín
- Glorieta de Atocha
- Plaza de Campillo del Mundo Nuevo
- Puerta de Toledo Square
- Plaza de la Platería
- Carretas Street
- Serrano Jover Street