Madrid’s history and traditions are inseparable from its lively summer street festivals, known as verbenas. Three of the city’s most iconic verbenas take place back-to-back in August, in neighbouring historic districts. The festivities begin with San Cayetano in the Rastro/Embajadores neighbourhood, continue with San Lorenzo in Lavapiés, and culminate with the biggest and most popular of them all, La Paloma, in La Latina.
Chulapos and chulapas (locals in traditional dress), the sound of chotis music, colourful lanterns strung across the streets, neighbours dancing cheek to cheek, and endless jugs of lemonade—this is the heart and soul of Madrid’s summer celebrations. When the days are long and the nights warm, these neighbourhood festivals are enjoyed with a special kind of joy and intensity.
Deeply rooted in the community, these events represent the most authentic side of Madrid—a festive, sociable spirit passed down through generations. Open to anyone who wants to join in, the programme includes everything from children’s games and contests to mus card tournaments, live music, tapas routes, and, of course, religious processions honouring the patron saint or virgin of each festival.
Three classic neighbourhood fiestas
All three verbenas take place in quintessentially traditional neighbourhoods—historic districts with 19th-century buildings, the occasional traditional corrala courtyard, and charming, maze-like streets.
The festivities kick off with San Cayetano, celebrated on 7 August in the Rastro and Embajadores area (in 2025, celebrations ran from 5 to 8 August). Streets and balconies are decked out with mantones de Manila (embroidered shawls), paper garlands and flowers in honour of the saint. There are concerts and cultural performances in Plaza de Cascorro, alongside religious ceremonies in the Church of San Cayetano.
Next up is San Lorenzo in Lavapiés (which ran from 9 to 12 August in 2025), whose main day falls on 10 August. Music, food and culture fill the streets as neighbours pay tribute to the saint at the small 17th-century church dedicated to him.
The grand finale is La Paloma, the most iconic verbena of all, celebrated in La Latina from 14 to 17 August in 2025, with the main day on 15 August. This is one of Madrid’s most popular and best-attended festivals. The celebrations spill out from Plaza de la Paja and Calle de Toledo to Plaza de las Vistillas and the area surrounding the Virgen de la Paloma Church. The packed programme features regional dances, zarzuela performances, pasodoble, chotis and mantón competitions, live music, children’s shows, and plenty of traditional Madrid food.
Check out the full programme of events for the 2025 August Fiestas (in Spanish)
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