Madrid faces the weekend from August 14 to 16 with an agenda marked by the festivities of the Virgin of La Paloma, outdoor concerts, and free activities organized in different districts. There are also options for those who prefer to take refuge in a cinema or visit a museum.
Most of the major concerts of La Paloma are free, although some cultural proposals require purchasing or downloading a ticket in advance. These are some of the main plans to do in Madrid during the weekend.
Festivities of La Paloma: concerts and fair in Las Vistillas
The festivities of the Virgin of La Paloma concentrate a good part of the activity between the Gardens of Las Vistillas, the Plaza de la Paja, and the streets of La Latina. The program combines musical performances, traditional contests, children's activities, and the religious events of August 15.
On Friday the 14th, Las Vistillas will host at 9:00 PM “Return to the 80s”, with Los Refrescos, Modestia Aparte, and Fernandisco. In the Plaza de la Paja, Eva Martí will star in “Return to the 90s” at 9:30 PM. The night will continue with DJ sessions until 2:00 AM.
On Saturday the 15th, the central events of the festivity will be celebrated. The floral offering will begin at 12:45 PM, the solemn mass will be at 1:00 PM, and the Fire Department will lower the picture of the Virgin at 2:15 PM. The procession will leave from the church of the Virgin of La Paloma at 7:30 PM.
The musical program for Saturday includes the performance of DePol at 9:30 PM in Las Vistillas and the Roneo Brunch party, presented by La Plazuela, at the same time in the Plaza de la Paja.
On Sunday the 16th, Miss Caffeina will perform at 9:30 PM in Las Vistillas, while Karavana will offer a concert at the same time in the Plaza de la Paja. All these performances are part of the official and free program of the festivities of La Paloma.
Fado in the cloister of the San Isidro Institute
Veranos de la Villa proposes a quieter alternative for Friday night. The Portuguese singer Teresinha Landeiro will perform in the Cloister of the Well of the San Isidro Institute, located at number 39 on Toledo Street.
The concert will begin on Friday the 14th at 9:30 PM, although the doors will open an hour earlier. The ticket costs 15 euros and can be purchased through the official channels of Veranos de la Villa.
Free summer cinema in the neighborhoods
The municipal summer cinemas allow watching movies outdoors without paying admission. The weekend programming offers family options and titles aimed at the adult audience.
In the Remonta square, the summer cinema of Tetuán will screen “Lilo & Stitch” on Saturday the 15th at 10:00 PM. Admission will be free until full capacity is reached, according to the programming of the Madrid City Council.
The Vaguada Park will host a free screening of “Cónclave” on Saturday, also at 10:00 PM. On Sunday the 16th, it will be the turn of “Sirât” at the Peñagrande GoFit Municipal Sports Center, at the same time.
In the El Calero Park of Ciudad Lineal, there will be cinema during the three nights: “Calle Málaga” on Friday, “Olivia and the invisible earthquake” on Saturday, and “A crazy funeral” on Sunday. The sessions will start at 10:00 PM and will be free, according to the program of the Ciudad Lineal summer film festival.
The premieres coming to theaters
The commercial billboard will also be renewed on Friday the 14th. One of the main premieres is “The End of Oak Street”, an action and science fiction film directed by David Robert Mitchell and starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor.
The story begins when a cosmic phenomenon transports a residential neighborhood to an unknown place and forces its inhabitants to fight for survival. Its premiere in Spain is set for August 14th.
Also arriving in theaters is “August Days”, a Spanish thriller directed by Chema de la Peña and starring Maggie Civantos, Roberto Álamo, Pau Simon, and Berta Galo. The film mixes drama, mystery, and eroticism based on the coexistence of a family in a beach house.
Free puppets to go with children
The Puppet Theater of El Retiro will present “Riofaunado” on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th, both at 8:00 PM. The play presents different species of the Mexican jungle and addresses their escape from a threat that is destroying their habitat.
The performance is free and is recommended for children. However, it is necessary to download an admission ticket in advance. The invitations will be available from Friday the 14th at 10:00 AM.
A visit to the Prado to avoid the hottest hours
The Prado Museum will keep several temporary exhibitions open during August. Among them are “The Hunger Painting”, “In the Italian Manner. Spain and Mediterranean Gothic” and the exhibition dedicated to the genre paintings of Valeriano D. Bécquer.
The general admission costs 15 euros. The museum opens from 10:00 to 20:00 hours from Monday to Saturday, while on Sundays and holidays it closes at 19:00 hours. Access to the permanent collection is free during the last two hours of opening, according to the official information from the Museo del Prado.
What plans are free this weekend
Among the proposals that do not require paying admission are:
- The concerts and activities of the La Paloma festivities.
- The municipal summer cinema sessions.
- The performances of “Riofaunado,” with prior invitation.
- The visit to the permanent collection of the Prado during the last two hours.
- The street parties, traditional contests, and popular events organized in La Latina.
The schedules, capacities, and access conditions may be modified for meteorological or organizational reasons. Before traveling, it is advisable to check the official page of each activity and verify if there are tickets or invitations available.