Madrid is truly a city that never sleeps. When you get to Madrid you will realize this immediately. From the nightlife and the street life to the Madrid fiesta, you will really have something to do and something new to experience.
Being a city that’s predominantly Catholic, you would always have a Madrid fiesta to attend every so often. If you are in the city for such occasions, you should take time to attend the festivities. These events would surely make your vacation more than worth the trip.
San Isidro’s Feast Day
Being the male patron saint of Madrid, this Madrid fiesta is one of the most important and most celebrated among feast days. If you are an early riser, you should join the pilgrimage to the San Isidro Meadow. Then come noon time, you could attend the grand mass which is usually held at the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidro.
In the afternoon, you’ll see the image of San Isidro and his wife paraded on the streets. You could also observe the blessing and the drinking of the spring water at the pilgrimage.
There would also be some festivities at the city. You should not miss the bull fights during this occasion as this is one of the highlights of the festival. There would be various concerts. And many of them are free so you get free entertainment as well. You will also enjoy sampling various delicacies sold on the streets.
Semana Santa
You will certainly witness a lot of processions during the Semana Santa or the Holy Week. This celebration generally commemorates the passion of Christ. Starting on Palm Sunday, you will be able to observe or maybe take part in two processions. You could follow the locals and purchase some palm leaves to remember the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem too.
There would be more processions for you to observe during the entire week. The celebrations culminate on Easter Sunday. You should head to the Plaza Mayor for the Tamborada del Domingo de Resureccion. Loud drumming would take place to remember the earthquake felt during the death hour of Jesus Christ.
More Madrid Fiestas and Processions
Important and minor feasts and processions happen all throughout the year. So, there would surely be a feast or two during your vacation in Madrid. The feast of the female patron saint of Madrid, the Virgin de la Almudena is also as important. If you are in the city on November 9, you’ll be in time for the celebration.
But if you are in the city on January 5, you would be able to witness the procession of the Three Wise Kings. January 17 is a fun day too. You would see people taking their pets to the church of San Anton so they could be blessed.
You could also go around March for the Festival of Jesus de Medinaceli. You could attend the processions for this occasion. And the best part is you will even have the chance to make three wishes.
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