All Saints Day/ Day of the Dead

Mexican Altar

At the Casa de México in Madrid, you can check out the annual Day of the Dead altar. This year's celebration of life and death is dedicated to Agustín Lara, nicknamed "El Flaco de Oro". He was a Mexican singer, composer, and actor who specialized in writing Boleros. His music served to unite Mexico and Spain- he even wrote songs dedicated to Spain despite never having visited before. Click on the link below for more information and reserve your tickets (they open on Sept 18 and run out fast)!

https://www.casademexico.es/altar-de-muertos-2026/\

Celebrations in Madrid

On November 1st, Spaniards celebrate el Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints Day). This tradition is similar to the celebrations in Mexico, where people visit their family's burial sites to clean, offer gifts, and spend time with their departed loved ones. There are also some religious processions that take place in other cities around Spain, like in Sevilla. Click the link for more information about celebrations in Madrid.

https://vitium.es/quehacerenmadrid/4-planes-en-madrid-para-el-dia-de-todos-los-santos/

Typical sweets and baked goods

You can try these pastries at some local bakeries in Madrid, like Pastelería Mallorca, La Duquesita, Horno de San Onofre, and El Riojano. 

Huesos de Santos- Typical in Madrid, a rolled pastry filled with creme

Buñuelos de Viento- Typical in Madrid, a type of small doughnut, often filled with creme or chocolate

Pestiños- Typical in Andalucía, a sweet fried dough

This Parade is the GOAT

                   

On October 24th, Madrid will hold a very special type of parade- one full of goats and sheep! This event is called La Trashumancia- the annual herding of the livestock from their summer grazing grounds to their winter home. Several main streets of Madrid will fill up with animals, shepherds, and curious locals who line up to see the spectacle. The parade route begins in Casa de Campo, climbs up Calle Mayor through the city center, Sol, all the way to Plaza de Cibeles, and back. 

This unique celebration began in 1994, as an example of how useful and important the rural livestock routes are. This was used to support a new law to make them a part of the public domain and to name them as a World Patrimony site. The livestock routes aren't the only important tradition on display, as the shepherds also often wear traditional Spanish folklore attire, representative of the region where they raise their herd.

https://www.esmadrid.com/agenda/fiesta-trashumancia

Cultural Events in October

Día de la Hispanidad (Spanish Heritage Day)

The city of Madrid will hold many celebrations for Spanish Heritage Day (October 12th) throughout the week. Check out free concerts in plazas around the city, like Sebastián Yatra, Marta Sánchez, Carlos Baute, and Spanish folklore music groups. There will be parades, special expositions in museums, theater, dance, and conferences to explore. The United States will be honored as a special guest as well, in celebration of  our 250 years. Be aware that some Spaniards have a negative view of this holiday, due to Spain's colonialist history. We encourage you to learn about the past and the opinions of the locals, while still taking advantage of these exciting modern celebrations and events.

https://www.comunidad.madrid/hispanidad-2026

Cinema in the Botanical Garden

Every Tuesday evening in October, you can visit the gardens and watch films inspired by nature. These films have themes like flowers, fire, and water. You can connect with nature, right in the middle of the city!

https://rjb.csic.es/agenda/ciclo-cine-en-el-jardin/

Madrid Otra Mirada (Another View of Madrid)

From October 12-18, you can visit over 200 of Madrid's beautiful palaces, museums, theaters, churches, and more for free. Many of these spaces are normally closed to tours, but for this short time only, you can explore these hidden gems and see a unique view of our city! This event includes concerts, classes, presentations, tours, and free entry to many locations. Reserve your tickets on September 29th at 10 am.

https://www.esmadrid.com/agenda/madrid-otra-mirada-mom

Hidden Corners of Retiro

 We all know the most popular tourist spots in Retiro, like the pond where you can rent a paddle boat, but there are many hidden "rincones" to discover! 

The Peacocks

Inside of the park, next to Hospital Niño Jesus, you will find the  Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez , which is home to a colony of peacocks! These wonderful creatures aren't afraid to get close to humans and may even show off their feathers for you. Be aware that during times of high wind or other inclement weather, this garden is often closed. 

Metro: Ibiza, Retiro

The Artificial Mountain

Another interesting spot in the park is the artificial mountain that you can climb, or admire from the ground. It is nicknamed "Cat Mountain", likely due to the proximity of the cat colony that lives in the park, based in the nearby Fisherman's Hut. Although this space is beautiful, it also has historical significance in the form of archeological remnants which were discovered during construction. These ruins are housed inside the mountain and now, after being closed for over 20 years, you can visit them and look up to see the oculus that allows light to pass from outside.

Metro: Retiro, Principe de Vergara

The Devil

Inside of Retiro is a very curious statue, considering the strong Catholic history of the country of Spain. The statue of "El Angel Caído" is one of very few representations of Lucifer that can be found in Madrid.

Metro: Retiro

The Memorial Forest

This section of the park was built in 2005 as a quiet place of reflection, in honor of the 192 victims of the Atocha Station terrorist attack the year prior. It is a calm and peaceful place, where you may even forget that you are in the center of the capital city. Bring a blanket and a book to spend the afternoon among the trees.

Metro: Atocha, Retiro

And The Winner is...

A four-member staff jury, unaware of the photo’s authorship, unanimously selected this image as the winner of this edition of the AU Photo Contest (author: William Parnell).

These are all the pictures submitted:

Congratulations, William!

Stars, Flavors, and Timeless Traditions

For those of you who aren’t traveling this weekend: astronomy, traditions, great food, and day trips.

From June 11 to 14, Parque de la Bombilla comes alive with free concerts, lemonade, barrel organs, a community paella, chocolate with churros, and fireworks. Meanwhile, the historic Hermitage of San Antonio brings back centuries-old traditions such as the distribution of the saint’s bread and the popular pin ritual.

And in the same area, on June 13 and 14, Madrid Río will host the first edition of this open-air food festival, bringing together restaurants, showcookings, workshops, music, and talks at the Explanada del Puente del Rey . It’s a chance to discover culinary offerings that are hard to find in the city and enjoy a contemporary fair-like atmosphere by the Manzanares River.

More information: https://namnamfestival.com/
Metro: Príncipe Pío (Lines 6, 10, and Ramal) 

Astronomy enthusiasts in Madrid, as well as the most curious minds, already have a date circled in red on their calendars: August 12. On that day, Spain will witness a historic event—a total solar eclipse that will cross much of the country, offering the best views in 11 municipalities in northern Madrid. In fact, word has it (and in this case, it’s good news) that what’s coming is a truly unforgettable astronomical summer, ready to spark the fascination of both young and old. I know you are not going to be here by then, but you don’t have to wait until August to gaze at the sky in wonder. As a prelude to the eclipse of the century, on the nights of June 12 and 13, the sky above the Zarzuela Racecourse will become the canvas for *Space Chase*, an immersive show featuring 1,200 drones. Get your tickets here.

Metro: Príncipe Pío (Lines 6, 10, and Ramal)

And for day-trip lovers (we’ve already recommended Aranjuez, Alcalá, Chinchón, El Escorial… and a bit farther afield, Cuenca, Salamanca, Ávila…), here’s a plan for this weekend: On June 12, 13, 14, the Manzanares El Real Medieval Market recreates life from nearly a thousand years ago, with activities such as knight training sessions, fencing lessons, and live demonstrations (including cannon firing), alongside a wide area dedicated to traditional crafts and a food court. Forest creatures, jesters, and stilt walkers—accompanied by folk and medieval music concerts—will fill the streets of this Madrid town in a vibrant historical celebration. 

 You can easily reach Manzanares el Real by public transport from Madrid with your card. The main option is by Intercity bus 724. It departs from the Plaza de Castilla Interchange and it will take you around 60 minutes.

Bad Bunny, The Book Fair, Star Wars, Swimming Pools, and Hiking Trails: Need I Say More?

Today, Friday, May 29, the AU students who have just spent three weeks in Brussels will arrive in Madrid. Welcome!!!!!!

1) Yes, it’s true—Bad Bunny is coming as well! 😉 The Puerto Rican singer is visiting Madrid as part of his new worldwide tour DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

Where: Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium

Metro: Las Rosas (Line 2) and Canillejas (Line 5)

When: May 30 and 31; June 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 15.

There are still tickets available: https://www.ticketmaster.es/artist/bad-bunny-entradas/979454

2) But it’s not all about Bad Bunny this weekend—“finde,” as Spaniards informally call the weekend ("fin de semana"). There is also a major book fair:

Since its inauguration in 1933, the Madrid Book Fair has continued to grow and contribute to the city’s cultural life. In 2026, it reaches its 85th edition, taking place this spring in El Retiro Park, from May 29 to June 14, 2026, with humor as its central theme.

This event will feature authors such as Jonathan Coe, Kevin Johansen, Eva Hache, Liniers, Maitena, Bob Pop, and David Safier, among others. The 85th edition will pay tribute to key figures in humor, literature, and contemporary creation, including Les Luthiers, Kurt Vonnegut, Jorge Ibargüengoitia, Nicanor Parra, and Rafael Azcona. There will also be a special tribute to A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole’s novel, now considered one of the great contemporary classics of literary satire.

FLMadrid26 will bring together a total of 366 booths along the Paseo de Coches in El Retiro, with participation from bookstores, publishers, distributors, and official institutions. The fair will also include dedicated spaces for publishers’ associations from other regions, independent publishers, and projects such as Indómitas, Editoriales Singulares, Archipiélago, and the Plaza of Science and Universities.

Where:

The Retiro Park 

Metro:

Atocha (Line 1), Estación del Arte (Line 1), Ibiza (Line 9), Retiro (Line 2)

When: May 29 – June 14

More info: https://www.ferialibromadrid.com/

3) The largest exhibition in the world created by and for fans of the iconic Star Wars saga.

A unique experience celebrating more than 40 years of galactic history, bringing together over 600 collectible items and more than 50 unique sculptures in one space.

The exhibition "The Fan Empire Strikes Back" arrives in Madrid after great success in cities such as New York, London, and Paris, offering visitors a one-of-a-kind experience as a vibrant tribute to the saga’s legacy. Visitors can see over 600 collectible items, including life-size figures, sculptures, photographs, posters, and iconic costumes.

When:

Wednesday to Sunday, until July 5

Where:

Espacio Delicias

Address:

Paseo de las Delicias, 61 (entrance via the Railway Museum)

Metro: Delicias (Line 3)

Website:

https://imperiofancontraataca.com/

4) And if it’s too hot, you can always go to a public swimming pool (I recommend buying tickets online in advance, as explained in this video).

5) Or you can head out to the countryside, where temperatures are usually a bit lower. Or you can visit small towns around Madrid. In these older posts, you can find recommendations for nice places to hike or visit:

HIKING TRAILS AROUND MADRID

https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/2023/09/hiking-trails-around-madrid.html

EXCURSIONS AND VISITS

https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/search?q=excursions