Fiesta de San Isidro, Madrid – A big Celebration of the Madrid Patron Saint
Fiesta de San Isidro, Madrid
A big Celebration of the Madrid Patron Saint
In the middle of May (2020 Cancelled)
Basic Information & Useful links
When: In the middle of May (2020 Cancelled)
Where: Madrid, Spain
Map: Madrid on Google Maps
Official website: sanisidromadrid.com
Hotels: Hotels in Madrid
Fiesta de San Isidro Madrid
A four-day festival in honour of Madrid’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador (Isidore the Farmer), purportedly worked over 100 miracles.
The saint was particularly good at finding freshwater, so the festival focuses on water.
Just one of the many fascinating festival sights is the chulapas and chulapos dressed in traditional Madrid costumes drinking ‘the saint’s water’ from the spring next to the Shrine of San Isidro.
Tradition and modernity define the festival’s program of culture.
With over 200 concerts and cultural activities, there are free activities for the whole family to enjoy.
It takes place at Pradera de San Isidro, and other places across the city such as Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and Las Vistillas.
You’ll have the chance to see many of Madrid’s famous sights as you take in all the festival has to offer.
There are also many traditional religious ceremonies held in Madrid during the Fiesta de San Isidro.
What’s on
Parades, music concerts from classical to modern, dance, folklore, poetry readings, and other sports, gardening, and fair trade.
The festival begins with the colourful parade of traditional giants and big-headed dolls, followed by the opening speech at Plaza de la Villa.
Afterwards, these fantastic figures will stay on display at the Plaza de la Villa.
Chotis is a popular dance, originally from Bohemia, and you can catch performances at Las Vistillas Garden.
Other festival offerings include the Pottery Fair at Plaza de las Comendadoras and a light and sound show in El Retiro Park.
Festival food
Donuts and lemonade are special treats available at the Fiesta de San Isidro.
But beware, the lemonade is not as innocuous as it sounds.
It is with wine, lemon, sugar, and diced fruit.
Doughnuts come in different flavours – there is a French one with almonds, the Santa Clara with a luscious layer of white meringue, and the ever-popular sugar-glazed doughnut.
Hotels in Madrid
You’ll be right in the midst of all the action when you stay at the Petit Palace Plaza Mayor.
The modern and stylish rooms have hydromassage showers, free WiFi, and a flat-screen TV.
Daily buffet breakfast and bicycles are available for use free of charge.
It’s a fantastic location right next to Plaza Mayor with a metro station just 200 m away.
If Petit Place Plaza Mayor is not available on the dates you’d like, then check out what else is available in Madrid here >>
Another great Madrid festival
Mad Cool Festival is Madrid’s massively successful pop and rock festival.
It’s held right in the city centre during the height of summer.
Gourmet and Michelin Star Restaurants
Madrid is a city where you can enjoy fine dining as it’s not short of quality restaurants.
There are 20 restaurants with Michelin stars.
DiverXO is the only restaurant in Madrid with three Michelin stars.
If you’re a lover of fine dining, but your budget doesn’t stretch to the above, then you might like to try one of the 13 restaurants offering Michelin’s ‘Bib Gourmand’ – great food at affordable prices.
Link to more information: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/michelin-starred-restaurants
More about Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain and the country’s largest city.
It’s vibrant, cultured, friendly, and home to beautiful boulevards, stunning architecture, delightful parks, fascinating museums, and an amazing art scene.
And then there’s the food – Spanish cuisine is renowned the world over, and Madrid has plenty of fantastic restaurants offering tempting dishes.
More things to do in Madrid
More from Spain
