Calendar of Events in Madrid

There are a number of cultural, traditional and religious festivals throughout the year on the streets of the city. These include:

Pride Parade (July)

Started in 1977 after the fall of the Franco government, the LGBT community rallied together to celebrate their new-found freedom and the end of their repression. This annual parade grew each year and is now one of the world's leading parades celebrating LGBT life.

Autumn to Spring Festival

As the name implies, this festival of the arts lasts for nine months and consists of many shows, recitals, concerts, dance and theatre pieces and other performing arts activities. The shows are held throughout the city and occasionally in other venues in the surrounding region. It's a chance for artists from across the world to come and perform for the public.

Jazzmadrid (October)

Towards the end of October every year, is the International Jazz Festival. Held in numerous venues throughout the city, the festival is on for a month and features leading Jazz artists as well as showcasing up and coming new talent.

New Year's Eve (December)

The Puerta del Sol is a square in the very heart of the city, and is the venue for one of the biggest public new year's eve celebrations. The clock in the square chimes at midnight, and tradition says that you should eat twelve grapes, the twelve grapes of luck, one for each time the bell chimes. The tradition was started in this square, and the celebrations are broadcast live on Spanish national television.

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