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What to do in Madrid in spring
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Winter is finally loosening its grip, and the coldest months are behind us. With longer, brighter days ahead, Madrid’s great outdoors is calling. Picture strolls through parks bursting with colour, cocktails on rooftop terraces, and three months packed with exciting open-air events.
Updated March 2026
Festivals of faith and tradition
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Thousands flock to the city to attend the processions and to enjoy the atmosphere created by the trumpets, drums and the hundreds of religious worshippers' bright and colourful attire (27 Mar-5 Apr 2026).
A traditional festival thay honours women and welcomes spring (Plaza de Lavapiés. 3 May 2026).
Every year on and around May 15th, Madrid honours its patron saint, San Isidro.
Take part in a classic Madrid tradition—a joyful mix of old-fashioned charm, good luck rituals, and the sweet scent of freshly baked saint’s bread (Around 13 June 2026).
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Check out our selection of outdoor bars and restaurants located next to the city's greenest spots.
This puppet theatre hosts fantastic shows for children most Saturdays and Sundays.
Check out a host of ideas for enjoying a family day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Spend the day at a UNESCO World Heritage site, hire a guide to teach you interesting historical and cultural facts about Madrid, or follow one of our themed itineraries to discover the city from a different angle.
Enjoying the nice weather
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Outdoor activities for spring
Madrid in action
Second leg of the exciting Madrid derby in which the red and white team visits Real Madrid's home ground (Bernabéu Stadium. 22 March).
Madrid will host one of the rounds of the Formula E World Championship for the first time ever (Circuito de Madrid Jarama-RACE. 21 March).
This annual 21k race takes in some of Madrid's most iconic landmarks (4 April 2027).
El Cholo's team play the Catalans in a critical match that will shape the remainder of the season (Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. 4 April).
The world's best tennis players will once again battle it out on clay courts (Madrid Caja Mágica. 20 Apr-3 May 2026).
One of Spain's biggest sporting events is set to hold its 48th edition with three distances: marathon, half-marathon and 10k (26 April).
Over 35,000 female runners will take part in this charity run transforming the city's streets into a sea of pink (Start: Paseo de la Castellana. 10 May).
The best jockeys in the equestrian world will be at the 115th edition of one of the not-to-be-missed events on the international calendar (Club de Campo Villa de Madrid. 15-17 May 2026).
The world tour of the magicians of basketball is back to delight the public with their impossible dunks (Movistar Arena. 19 May).
Sixth edition of the grassroots football tournament that seeks to educate children. (Centro Deportivo Alcalá de Henares. 19-24 June).
Tradition and culture
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Cuesta de Moyano book stalls
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Tradition and Culture
THE BEST EXHIBITIONS
Unique opportunity to admire the most important works of the Basque artist’s career (Conde Duque. 17 Feb-21 Jun).
The first retrospective in Spain devoted to the Danish artist that brings together around a hundred works (Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. 17 Feb-31 May).
Exhibition devoted to one of the leading Swedish painters from the end of the 19th century and early 20th century (MAPFRE Foundation. Recoletos Exhibition Hall. 19 Feb-17 May).
Exhibition that brings together around 200 photographs by the American photographer in a comprehensive review of her career and her unique vision of the world (MAPFRE Foundation. Recoletos Exhibition Hall. 19 Feb-17 May).
Through their photographs, the young Ukrainian artists explore how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has reshaped the public space (Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. 3 Mar-21 Jun).
New
Exhibition that takes visitors on a journey through the life and influence of one of the most powerful men of his time (CaixaForum Madrid. 9 Apr-4 Oct 2026).
Exhibition that analyses the impact of photography since its emergence in the 19th century as a new artistic discipline (Prado Museum. 13 Apr-5 Jul).
Exhibition that analyses the history and meaning of José Aparicio’s painting, The Year of Hunger in Madrid (1818) (Prado Museum. 27 Apr-13 Sept).
Last chance
Exhibition that brings together a selection of paintings inspired by the creations of the great Flemish painter (Juan March Foundation. 27 Feb-12 Apr).
Coming soon
A monograph devoted to the Polish artist whose work combines meticulous pictorial technique with provocative and subversive content (Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. 26 May-6 Sept).
Exhibition that seeks to bring a fascinating artistic period closer through a selection of more than one hundred works (Prado Museum. 26 may-20 Sept).
A journey through the transformation process undergone by the Madrid museum over the past quarter of a century (Prado Museum. 9 Jun-27 Sept).
OFF-THE-BEATEN-TRACK MADRID
CULTURAL EVENTS
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Event that brings together professionals from around the world to advance patient care through research and innovation (IFEMA MADRID. 22-25 March 2026).
Europe’s most exclusive interior design exhibition is holding its 61st edition (Calle San Agustín, 11. 9 Apr-24 May 2026).
This annual fair is the best hunting grounds for antiques, collectables and vintage objects (IFEMA Madrid. 11-19 April 2026).
Europe's largest fine foods fair is a must for professionals from the sector (IFEMA MADRID. 13-16 April).
The Madrid International Documentary Festival is holding its twenty-third edition (Main Venue: Cineteca Matadero. 26-31 May).
Booksellers, authors and readers gather at one of the most traditional cultural events in the capital (El Retiro Park. 29 May-14 June 2026).
On stage in Madrid
An authentic flamenco show featuring mesmerising dancing, singing and guitar playing (Teatro Flamenco Madrid. Monday to Sunday).
Marina Mascarell directs a dance show inspired by Georges Bataille and his Eroticism (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM. 9-11 April).
The flamenco dancer will première her latest show Humo, that pays tribute to the cigarette factory workers (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM. 16-19 April).
The French choreographer, Kader Attou will première in Spain a dance on dreams (Teatros del Canal - Sala Roja Concha Velasco. 17 and 18 April).
The Ciclicus Company is performing a show that addresses the retirement of circus performers (Teatro Circo Price. 18 and 19 April).
The choreographer, Goyo Montero brings a modern dance production inspired by Bach’s Goldberg Variations (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM. 7-9 May).
The Swedish dancer and choreographer, Mats Ek will lead this contemporary interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic play (Teatro Real. 7-10 May).
The dancer celebrates the 25th anniversary of her dance company with a show playing tribute to the great Paco de Lucía (Teatro Gran Vía. Thursday to Sunday. 7-31 May).
The company presents a double programme, premièring two modern dance pieces (Centro Danza Matadero - CDM. 26-31 May).
Always dazzling
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OVO - Cirque du Soleil
The best in live music
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The singer and GRAMMY® Award winner, has announced her most ambitious tour to date, LUX TOUR 2026, which will include four dates in Madrid (Movistar Arena. 30 Mar and 1, 3 and 4 Apr 2026).
The Italian singer will be performing a special concert as part of his new world tour Yo Canto World Tour 2026/2027 (Movistar Arena. 6 April).
The artist from Barcelona who combines reggaeton, dancehall and trap will be coming to Madrid as part of her latest tour in which she will present her second album (Movistar Arena. 11 and 12 April).
The British artist who formed part of One Direction has announced a new world tour in which he will present his third studio album, How Did I Get Here? (Movistar Arena. 13 April).
The American R&B and pop singer whose hits include Closer and Miss Independent will be coming to Madrid as part of his latest tour (Movistar Arena. 17 April).
The Voices at the Real concert series will host a recital featuring the renowned Canadian bass-baritone (Teatro Real. 18 April).
The Italian artist is returning to Madrid as part of his latest tour, Una Historia Importante World Tour (Movistar Arena. 4 May 2026).
The veteran rock and blues guitarist is back in Spain after an absence of more than 20 years as part of his European tour (Movistar Arena. 7 May 2026).
The American artist will be coming back to Spain as part of her latest concert tour, The Locket Tour (Palacio Vistalegre Arena. 24 May).
The singer from Puerto Rico will be performing ten concerts as part of his latest DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS World Tour (Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. 30 and 31 May; 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 15 Jun 2026).
AND THE FESTIVALS...
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elrow Town Madrid 2026
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Maudes Festival 2026
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A Summer Story 2026
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Tourist Trains
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Bike Rental in Madrid
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Quinta de los Molinos
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Enrique Tierno Galván Park
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Oeste Park
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Santander Park (Parque del Tercer Depósito)
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Linear Park of the Manzanares River
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Fuente del Berro Park
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Huerto de las Monjas
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Palacio del Príncipe de Anglona Gardens
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Vistillas Gardens
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Tropical Garden at Madrid - Puerta de Atocha - Almudena Grandes station
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El Retiro Rose Garden
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Madrid Events Calendar: 2026
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2026 Music festivals
OUR MONTHLY MAGAZINE
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esMADRIDmagazine April
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Madrid through the seasons
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THE CITY FROM ABOVE
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Madrid Viewpoints
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Madrid Top 10
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Artisan ice cream parlours
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Charming street markets
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Music in Madrid
DON'T MISS
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The best places in Madrid to take a photo
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Have your phone at the ready!
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Getting around Madrid
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Gourmet Markets and Gastronomic Spaces
DON’T MISS
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Souvenirs from Madrid
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Theatres and concert halls
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Top Cultural Centres
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Amusement Parks and Zoos
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Escape Rooms
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Out for Tapas in Madrid
