What to do in Madrid in spring
Winter is almost over and we’re leaving the coldest days of the year behind to welcome much-awaited spring. More hours of daylight to make plans and organise activities in the open air. Time to gape at the beauty of parks and gardens, grab a bite al fresco or attend one of the many events the city has to offer to people of all ages.
SPRING CUISINE
35th Gourmets Fair
Europe's largest fine foods fair is a must for professionals from the sector (IFEMA MADRID. 25-28 April).
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, FESTIVALS
elrow Town Madrid
One of the largest and most spectacular international festivals in the world is coming to Madrid for the second time (IFEMA MADRID. 30 April).
Primavera Sound Madrid 2023
The renowned urban festival has added Madrid as its second venue, hosting a full programme headed by Depeche Mode, Blur, Rosalía, Calvin Harris, Halsey and Pet Shop Boys (Ciudad del Rock in Arganda del Rey. 8-10 June 2023). Tickets on sale.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Day trips and themed itineraries
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.
Puppet Theatre in El Retiro Park
Family days out near Madrid
Check out a host of ideas for enjoying a family day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Twelve outdoor bars and restaurants next to a park
Check out our selection of outdoor bars and restaurants located next to the city's greenest spots.
ART AND DÉCOR LOVERS
Spanish painting from The Frick Collection, considered to be one of the world’s greatest art collections, will be on display at the Prado National Museum (Hall 16 A. Villanueva) next spring, from 7 March to 2 July. It is made up of nine emblematic works by Velázquez, El Greco, Murillo and Goya, which will be on display in Spain thanks to the support of the Community of Madrid.
From 17 February to 30 June 2023, the Royal Palace is hosting an immersive exhibition dedicated to the centenary of the painter. It will combine for the first time Sorolla’s artistic creations with digital recreations and sensory experiences through light, colour, and movement. Original paintings by the artist will also be on display, some from private collections that are rarely shown.
MAD (Madrid Digital Arts) is hosting an immersive exhibition for all ages in Nave 16 at the Matadero Madrid cultural centre, which invites you to travel to Ancient Egypt and discover its great mysteries. Since its opening on 4 November, it has already been visited by more than 150,000 spectators and the exhibition has been extended until the spring as a result of its success.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is hosting an installation by the American artist, Wu Tsang, based on the film adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel, Moby Dick, in the temporary exhibition hall (Level -1) from 21 February to 11 June.
The Fundación María Cristina Masaveu Peterson’s has opened its new headquarters in the Chamberí district, a stone’s throw from the Paseo del Arte. From 6 September to 28 May 2023, it will be hosting its first exhibition comprising a selection of 117 paintings from its vast collections of 19th century Spanish paintings (Goya, Madrazo, Fortuny…)
COAM hosts the world première of the Bowie Taken by Duffy exhibition. This retrospective exhibition of the iconic photo sessions which brought the photographer and singer together can be seen from 15 March to 25 June. More than 150 objects from the Duffy Archive with music, video clips, photos, large format Chromaluxe prints and video interviews that have never been seen.
Casa Decor opens its doors again from 13 April to 28 May 2023 in Calle Serrano 92, on the corner of Juan Bravo, to reveal the latest tendencies in interior design, architecture, design and art. This is the 58th edition of the event in Madrid, in which it returns to the Salamanca neighbourhood and will be held in the iconic Calle Serrano on the Golden Mile for the first time ever.
The Antiques, Art and Collectors Fair, known as ANTIK PASSION Almoneda Spring Edition, is the great showcase for objects of times gone by, all of which are at least 50 years old. From 15 to 23 April 2023, the fair is preparing a special edition, where vintage takes on special importance, both in terms of decoration and accessories, such as clothes, jewellery and costume jewellery.
CULTURAL EVENTS
Madrid Book Fair
Booksellers, authors and readers gather at one of the most traditional cultural events in the capital (El Retiro Park. 26 May-11 June).
DocumentaMadrid 2023
The Madrid International Documentary Festival is holding its twentieth edition (Main Venue: Cineteca Matadero. 3-7 May).
SPORTING EVENTS
The city is hosting the most important event of the Olympic cycle for the Paris Games in 2024 (2-4 June 2023).
This annual 21K race takes in some of Madrid's most popular sites (26 March 2023).
The world's best tennis players will once again battle it out on clay courts (Madrid Caja Mágica. 24 Apr-7 May).
One of the Spain's biggest sporting events is set to hold its 45th edition with three distances: marathon, half-marathon and 10k (23 April).
Enjoy a thrilling horse racing experience at La Zarzuela Racecourse all year round (check calendar).
The world tour of the magicians of basketball is back to delight the public with their impossible dunks (WiZink Center. 15 May).
TIME FOR DANCE AND FOR FLAMENCO
Flamenco Real
A total of 10 shows with leading artists from flamenco song and dance, such as Amador Rojas, Yolanda Osuna or Eduardo Guerrero (Salón de Baile, Teatro Real. Till 28 July. See dates).
OléOlá
This flamenco and gastronomy experience is directed by two great names from the genre, Cristina Hoyos and Jose Carlos Plaza (Teatro Eslava. Fridays and Saturdays).
Madrid Flamenco Cycle
Concert series that includes various vocal and guitar concerts performed by artists of the genre, such as Josemi Carmona, Rafael Riqueni and Antonio Reyes (Teatro Alfil. 23 Feb, 9 and 30 Mar, 13 and 27 Apr, 11 and 25 May, 8 and 22 Jun).
Sara Baras - Alma
The Andalusian flamenco dancer is back with a new show that brings together the rhythms of flamenco and bolero (Teatro EDP Gran Vía. Thursday to Sunday. 4-28 May).
III Danza en la Villa
A dance festival gathering the best choreographers and dancers, with a programme full of activities (Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa. 13-25 June 2023).
Madrid en Danza Festival 2023
The festival that brings together the best of national and international dance year after year (Various locations. 13 May-11 Jun).
CNDM. Jesús Méndez & Diego del Morao
New recital as part of the Andalucía Flamenca series of concerts, featuring the young flamenco singer from Jerez and the flamenco guitarist (National Music Auditorium - Sala de Cámara. 28 April).
Vicente Amigo
The unquestionable reference of flamenco guitar is giving a concert in which he reviews his successful artistic career (Teatro Real. 5 May).
Flamenco Madrid
Seventh edition of an event that wishes to construct a space for flamenco artists to create and present their work while also offering a flamenco-related program (Various locations. Main venue: Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa. 18 May-4 Jun 2023).
ON THE STAGES...
The Turk in Italy
The expert comic opera director, Laurent Pelly, directs a version of the classic dramma buffo in Two Acts by Gioachino Rossini (Teatro Real. 31 May-12 Jun).
Nixon in China
An opera in three acts, conducted by John Fulljames, who recreates the American President’s visit to China in 1972 (Teatro Real. 17, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30 April and 2 May).
Europe
The choreographer, Sharon Fridman, and the director, Luis Luque, create a dance show on the crossroads of civilizations (Naves del Español en Matadero - Sala Max Aub, Nave 10. Martes a domingos. 24 May-11 Jun).
Mariana
The dancer Luz Arcas and her La Phármaco company present a dance and flamenco piece on the body as a work tool (Teatros del Canal - Sala Verde. 15 and 16 April).
The Journey
The international magician of the celebrities Lucas Di Giacomo presents his much awaited family show (Gran Cabaret Espacio Ibercaja Delicias. Thursday to Sunday. 23 Mar-16 Apr).
Gag Movie - Yllana
Yllana creates a comedy that pays tribute to the seventh art through a film shoot (Teatro La Latina. 4, 10 and 24 April).
BEST LIVE CONCERTS
Battito Infinito World Tour is the name of the tour by one of the most famous Italian singers worldwide in which he is presenting his latest album, Latido infinito (WiZink Center. 31 March 2023).
The popular American band led by Adam Levine is coming to Madrid as part of its latest European tour (WiZink Center. 15 June).
The acclaimed composer and winner of two Oscars is visiting Spain as part of his latest European tour that includes his best works (WiZink Center. 16 May).
One of the most legendary hard rock bands is back on a world tour with a revamped show (Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium. 9 June).
The British rock musician is giving a concert devoted to the classic repertoire of the legendary Deep Purple (La Riviera. 16 May).
Considered to be one of today’s most international Portuguese stars, he will review his career and present new songs in this concert (Teatro Lope de Vega. 28 March).
