Last week in Madrid

Hello all and thank you for following along this term. Please enjoy your last week in Madrid and know that you will be missed and always welcome back !! 

Holiday activities !

Thursday, November 23rd the Christmas lights will be turned on! All over the city the streets have been decorated with floating lights. Not only are their competitions within Madrid as to who has the best display but also in the surrounding cities. 

Highlights: Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro Park, Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor.

LINK to two hour self guided walking tour to enjoy the lights this weekend or in the coming weeks! 

Saturday, November 25th the Christmas markets open! 

The most famous is that of Plaza Mayor with over 100 stalls filled with nativity scene figures, toys, homemade gifts, sweets, etc. 

Plaza España also has a lovely market, it features a huge skating rink as well as food, drink and gift stalls.

Plaza de Colon (November 25-27, and December 4) - Adventsbasar is a German themed Christmas market. To visit this market, it is necessary to buy a ticket for 5€. On this market you can find clothes, books, Christmas decorations, typical German food, glühwein and more!

The Corte Inglés located near Nuevos Ministerios has really outdone themselves with this one! They have taken advantage of the large courtyard area in front of their store and set up a lovely Christmas market with a very traditional feel! The market is filled with cabins selling awesome gifts and decorations, but there are also many different food stalls for you to enjoy! From crepes and churros to burgers and croissants!

For more markets around the city ! LINK 

So many things to do this week in Madrid !

Mix of culture, art and history -- Exposition about the Berlin Wall

Extensive collection of over 300 original objects, testimonials from people on both sides and  20 meters of the original wall. 

Paseo de la Castellana, 214 (Chamartín metro)

tickets starting at 17,80€.

Free Monday dance classes - entry between 8:30 pm and 11 pm 

Learn salsa at any experience level and meet new people at Calle 365 in Bario de Las Letras 

9 pm Salsa class and 10:10 Bollywood class 

Calle 365 - Calle de Echegaray, 18, 28014 Madrid

 Reserve your free tickets here 

Comedy show - pay what you can

Every week, we have an English comedy open mic with some of Madrid's most talented comedians who want to try new jokes. This show has a great mix of professional comedians who try new jokes and new/upcoming comedians who work on their crafts. Don't miss your chance to witness the raw version of the jokes for the first time! This is Jokesmith’s Open Mic!

Doors open at 8pm - show is at 8:30 

Reserve place here - then bring cash for the show 

El Pez Gato (Noviciado or Tribunal metro) 

Make your own bathbomb with LUSH

Get creative, make a bathbomb, add a little secret note inside for yourself or a special someone! Come alone or bring friends.  

Saturday, November 18th 

Timing - 5:30 to 6:30 pm 

 tickets - 8 euros 

64 Calle de Fuencarral 

Sunday free running club 

5km run at your own pace but start together. 

Timing: 10:30 am 

 free 

Puerta de la Independencia 

Outdoor Escape Game - in La Latina 

Explore the beautiful streets of La Latina neighbourhood of Madrid. Become immersed in the culture through traditional food, murals depicting scenes from history, and small museums packed with meaningful objects on display. You’ll get to feast all your senses as you discover restaurants with colourful exteriors, serving delicious traditional dishes. The grandest church in Madrid is also one of the attractions waiting to be discovered by you, and be prepared to fall in love with the squares and markets of the neighbourhood! Adventure is one click away!

The route you’re going to follow in the city is sprinkled with unique places, fun clues and challenges, and incredible stories of past and present.

The experience will play out like you’re the main characters of a movie, only that you’re experiencing everything in first person! Fun dialogue, intrigue, and unexpected interactions are guaranteed.

HOW IT WORKS❓

1. Book your tickets 🎫

2. Download the Questo app - it's free 📲

3. Head to the starting point📍

• Available 24/7
• Pause and resume anytime.
• You can play offline

 tickets for 7.99 

Botin Restaurant 

Interested in exploring your artistic side and socializing ... maybe make some holiday presents

Pinta en Copas - CeramicafeChoose a ceramic piece from the more than 100 models available. Then paint and drink a coffee. A week late you can go pick up your piece after it has been fired. This is a super central and really accessible option to spend a few hours!

Prices range from €10 for the smallest pieces to €30 for the largest. For example, a cup of breakfast would cost a total of €15 (although there are cups between 12 and 19 euros)

Youth card: 15% discount on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, in the morning.

LINK

                                                           

Everyday there is an option to pain a different category at ARTE BAR

40 Euros for a three hour session with a professional teacher, an apron, paints and bottomless wine

LINK provides options for each day 

                                                           

Wednesday November 29th

Sip and Paint - 5 Euro Tickets

Are you ready for a fun and creative experience? Join our Sip and Paint event. In a relaxed atmosphere, you'll enjoy a glass of wine while exploring your artistic side. Awaken your creativity and take home your own masterpiece - come and discover the pleasure of painting while socialising! ??

LINK

THE SOCIAL HUB

The Social Hub is a home for next-gen students and professionals, a hotel for travellers, a coworking space for big thinkers, a playground for entrepreneurs and a city meeting place for locals. Whatever your journey, it starts at The Social Hub.


Some options - all start at 3 euros

- sign language

- pilates

- yoga

- music jam sessions

- Spanish class

- Pop up night of Sicilian Street Food

LINK

Jazz Madrid !

 

Now through the 22nd of November there are events all over Madrid to experience the language of Jazz. 

There are all sorts of options, full concerts, expeditions, Jazz in clubs, etc. 

Here is the LINK to the programming. 

Some of the options are free, you just have to look! 

Start November with a laugh

After a long Halloweekend and short Halloweek it is time to kick off your third month in Spain!

Stand up comedy in La Latina is a perfect option for Saturday night socializing, it is also free and in English. 

LINK to tickets 

Laughing not your thing? More into fashion? 

San Bernardo Fashion Festival might be more your speed. Another free event. 

From their website: 

San Bernardo Fashion Road, an event created for and by lovers of fashion, design and original pieces.

We will have Fashion Popup with a selection of designers and brands of clothing, accessories and jewelry.

On this occasion we will have a very special space of fashion influencers, in collaboration with the GoTalents agency , who will be present with unique pieces from their personal closets.

And of course a Lineup with DJs and the Generator Hotel Bar open to enjoy the best cocktails.

We will wait for you!

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Price: free entry

LINK for more information

Luz Madrid Oct 27 - 29

This festival comprises of 22 different immersive light experiences. All around the city of Madrid various artists have created installations. Below is the link to the map to wander around after dark (from 8 pm to 12 am). Thousands of people will be out in the street to watch, engage with and experience each piece. 

Go out and enjoy this incredible festival! Send pictures to the blog - we would all love to see! 

LINK

TAPA PIES - October 19 through 29

From Thursday the 19th to Sunday the 29th of October, this 13th edition will fill the Lavapiés neighborhood with exquisite tapas and free concerts at street level. There will be around thirty concerts, batucadas, parades and children's outdoor entertainment on the weekends of the 20th to the 22nd and from the 27th to the 29th at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

In 2013 Tapapiés was the first event that introduced free musical and theatrical performances in the heart of Madrid's historic center. This year they are distributed across the Plazas de Ana Diosdado, Arturo Barea, Lavapiés and Nelson Mandela, as well as Argumosa Street on the corner of Doctor Piga. The Tartaro joins the party on Saturdays (5:00 p.m.) in the Plaza de Cascorro.

For only €3, each tapa is served accompanied by a bottle or beer from El Águila. The public votes for their favorite tapas from Enlavapies.com, where they also access complete information on each tapa and establishment. Most offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions.


DOWNLOAD THE MAP


LINK TO OFFICAL WEBSITE - TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE  

Mid October Slump --> Over

Thursday: 

A reflection of feminine power - Caixa Forum - This exhibition is FREE to students with your student card. It is a collaboration with the British Museum, an exploration of 5,000 years of spiritual power. 

September 28 - January 14 

10 am - 8 pm Monday through Sunday 

Paseo del Prado, 36 

LINK

 

Friday: 

Spanish Art, a reflection of self - Luis Gordillo - 20 years of work from this Spanish artists fills a huge, beautiful space. Enjoy not only the art but also the room. A FREE exhibit for a curious mind. 

Sala Alcala 31

Now through January 14, 2024 

                                                  

Easy Apply - Young Art Room - The exhibition proposes a response to the relationship between young people and their current occupations that, embedded in the economy of occasional work, are reflected through different and varied artistic languages.

Avenida de America, 13

11 am - 2pm and 5pm - 8 pm Tuesday through Saturday

More info: LINK

Saturday: 

The coolest art gallery in Madrid - a water tower turned four story free exhibition all the way up into the water tank - The current photography exhibit features Crisitna de Middel showcasing war, violence and migration. 

September 29 - January 14, 2024 

11am - 8:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday 

Sala Canal de Isabel II 

For more information: LINK

                                                  

Otro Puto Mercadillo - downtown art and culture event. This little market pop up in the heart of Malasana is FREE. There is a variety of expositions, independent artists, performances and workshops. This event happens almost every month, so if you miss it this week you can always try for next time! 

5 - 9 pm 

Calle Jesus del Valle 28 28004

for more info follow their insta @otroputomercadillo 

                                                  

Lofacil - FREE concert in the museum - Spanish artist, worth checking out! 

6 pm - No tickets needed 

LINK to her instagram 

LINK to a music video 

                                                  

Free Spooky walking tour - Practice your Spanish listening skills and learn about the mysteries and scaries of Madrid. 

8 - 10 pm 

Plaza Cibeles 

Book your ticket here : LINK

Sunday:

The running of the sheep - Transhumance Festival - This is an incredible experience, and it is totally worth going out and watching regardless of the weather. Thousands of sheep are let loose in the city on a tour around town. The Sheep run/walk from Casa de Campo to Plaza de Cibeles

10 am - 2 pm 

For more info on the full itinerary: LINK

                                                  

A reflection of artists and models - Fundacion Canal provides a FREE exhibit with almost 100 pieces by 13 different artists. It is an exploration of Picasso's conception that the artist is nothing without their model. 

October 11 - January 5, 2024

11 am - 8 pm