August festivities in Madrid

Summer in Madrid is synonymous with tradition as its streets are filled with night saint festivals. At the end of the 19th century, “verbenas” or saint festivals used to last three days: the eve, the day of the Saint and the day after. This caused the three most famous festivals in Madrid to overlap and create many days of celebration. The famous open-air festivals trilogy take place from August 6th to 18th in the historic neighborhoods of Embajadores, Lavapiés and La Latina. These neighborhoods are very close to each other, they are very traditional and with streets full of charm. The neighbors of the area organize themselves to carry out the typical popular Madrid summer festivities.

The first “verbena” to be celebrated is San Cayetano, in the area of Rastro/Embajadores. The festivities take place around the church of San Cayetano and in the plaza Cascorro. Its activities include lemonades, popular dances, children’s workshops, the official proclamation, concerts, etc. The streets are decorated with paper wreaths and the balconies with Manila shawls.

Just after San Cayetano, San Lorenzo festival joins in Lavapiés to continue the celebrations. They take place between 10 and 13 August and is the oldest night party in the neighborhood. After the procession, in honor of San Lorenzo, there is a competition of traditional costumes (goyescos, manolos, chisperos), and then the party begins with concerts, activities, etc.

Finally, the most eagerly awaited verbena of all begins: the Virgen de la Paloma festivities on 15 August. Of the three, it is the largest verbena both in terms of affluence and extension, occupying a large part of the neighborhood La Latina. Considered to be one of the liveliest festivals in Madrid, it has activities for the whole family. From chotis contests, tortillas, Chinese games, Madrid poetry, chocolates, children’s puppets and various concerts. It’s a traditional festival that you won’t want to miss this summer.

Categories: Eventos Madrid