Madrid is one of the cities in Europe that are full of cultural and aesthetic splendor. Thus, it is no wonder that the Madrid travel experience draws hordes and hordes of tourists into the city every year. If you are one of these tourists, we certainly do not reproach you. Madrid travel plans should be built around activities that are observed all year round. With the typical travel to Madrid experience, whether you are on a historical tour or on a religious pilgrimage, you will find something that will interest you.

December and January revolve around the Christmas and New Year holidays. Christmas is usually time with the family punctuated with important meals and gift-giving. The Day of the Innocents, which is celebrated on December 28 follows close on the heels of Christmas Day. The whole Day of Innocents gives everybody a license to perform practical jokes on everybody else, much like during April Fool’s Day. The New Year is met with a lot of elaborate fireworks and good partying. Expect a sizeable crowd during the celebration. January 5 marks the Epiphany and the arrival of the Three Kings who walk through the streets giving presents to good boys and girls.

February in Madrid means a lot of dancing in the streets as the Carnival is celebrated throughout the country. The Festival Flamenco Caja Madrid, which features the best flamenco dancers, is also staged in February. Another celebration that is prevalent nationwide but most especially in Madrid is La Candelaria, which commemorates the time Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the temple.

The Madrid Dance Festival (Madrid en Danza) starts on March and lasts until the end of April. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is usually observed in April. The observance is dominated by religious traditions but there are also a number of non-religious activities during the week. In May, the Fiesta de San Isidro, which is the most significant festival in Madrid is celebrated by staging concerts, dancing, and bullfighting. July is an exciting month with charging bulls in La Puebla de Montalban near Toledo, bullfighting and music in Avila, and a succession of flamenco shows in Segovia.

August is heralded by festivities around Madrid, primarily in La Latiena, Lavapies, and La Granja, and the bull running in Cuellar which is near Madrid. During the last week of August, a giant puppet display is staged in Alcala de Henares. September brings with it a handful of religious activities particularly the Fiesta de la Virgen dela Vega in Salamanca, Romería de Nuestra Señora de Chilla in Avila, Romería de Hontanares and Romería del Santísimo Cristo del Caloco in Segovia, and Romería de la Virgen de Gracia in Madrid. Locals also observe the festival of Toro de la Vega which is when a sacrifice of bull is made on the streets. The Saturday night around the 20th is called La Noche en Blanco. A multitude of cultural activities, including musical, film, photography, art, and theatre performances, are staged for free throughout the city on this particular night.

October is ushered in by Madrid’s major performing arts festival called Festival de Otoño. Companies are invited to take part in theatre, dance, music and circus performances. Mid-month, the Valladolid International Film Festival, as well as the Fiesta de la Rosa del Azafrán, which celebrates the locally grown saffron, are held. Two gay film festivals dominate the month of November, the Alcine Film Festival in Alcalá de Henares and International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Madrid.

With all these activities, there is no doubt that Madrid is really for people from all walks of life. When in the area, make sure to incorporate these activities in your Madrid travel itinerary. Be sure also to be accompanied by a map or a Madrid travel guide.

Incoming search terms for the article:

Related posts:

1. Come to Madrid – 10 Things to Do In Madrid
2. 10 Restaurants You Should Try in Madrid
3. Bangkok Great Vacation Time
4. Best Vacation in Switzerland for You