Holy Week Traditions and Other Ways to Enjoy the Break in Madrid

The long‑awaited break before the final stretch is finally here! Many of you will be traveling outside of Spain, but some might prefer to take the opportunity to enjoy our country—or even Madrid—without the stress of classes.

THE HOLY WEEK TRADITIONS

In any case, it might be useful for everyone to learn a bit about this season in Spain.

For a general and brief overview (history, food...), you can read this older post (there is a very cool video that can give you a good idea of what it is!!):

https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/2023/02/already-planning-what-to-do-in-easter.html

Is this photo impressive—or maybe a little unsettling? Check out the post above to learn the meaning behind those hooded penitents and the processions.

And for people with a sweet tooth, you can find other delicious things to try here:

https://exploringwithauspain.blogspot.com/2023/03/for-students-with-sweet-tooth.html

One option is to visit some of the small towns near Madrid where Holy Week plays a major role. Places like Alcalá de Henares, El Escorial, Chinchón, Morata de Tajuña, Torrejón de Ardoz, or Parla are all very close to the city. Some of them are truly beautiful spots with significant monuments, while others may not stand out for their landmarks—but they all share the distinction of having Holy Week celebrations officially recognized as being of tourist interest. On this website you’ll find descriptions, photos, schedules, and more. It’s in Spanish, but I’m sure Google Translate will help you get through it. 😉

And of course, if you’re thinking of traveling around Spain, places like Seville and Málaga (and Andalusia in general), as well as Cuenca, Zamora, or Valladolid, are among the most impressive destinations to experience Holy Week processions.

What about staying in Madrid? Here are the dates, times, and main routes for the processions in town: 

https://www.esmadrid.com/en/whats-on/easter-processions-madrid

And of course, there will be plenty of other things happening in Madrid besides the processions. These are only some examples: 

THE COMIC FAIR

Matadero Madrid will become the major hub of the ninth art from March 26 to 29 with the second edition of the Madrid Comic Fair. The event brings together bookstore and publisher booths, book signings, panel discussions, workshops, screenings, and professional activities. And the Matadero space is something you really shouldn’t miss: Matadero Madrid is a former slaughterhouse transformed into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural centers. It’s located at Plaza de Legazpi, 8, and you can get there easily by Metro—just take Line 3 to Legazpi station, which leaves you right at the entrance.

DANCE

Also at Matadero you can enjoy Olvidadas (a Las Sinsombrero) at Centro Danza Matadero.

The dancer and choreographer Mercedes de Córdoba presents a contemporary dance piece rooted in flamenco that pays tribute to "Las Sinsombrero", the women artists and intellectuals of the Generation of ’27 who were silenced and forgotten by history. Some of you have already seen the exhibition about Maruja Mallo at the Reina Sofía Museum. She was one of "Las Sinsombrero".

These are just some examples... Madrid is full of concerts, exhibitions, movies... these days Explore the city!!!!

AU Photo Contest Winner

It is a pleasure to announce that Elizabeth Hudson has won first prize in our Photo Contest with this kaleidoscopic picture:

  

Here you can check out the other amazing participating photos!!!!

Made with

A lovely Day Trip... or a Free Marathon of Live Concerts!

 For those of you who stay in Madrid these days, two tips:

A lovely Day Trip very close to Madrid

(Original text and further information about tickets and prices here).

In spring and autumn, you can enjoy a unique experience that combines culture, leisure and rail travel. The Strawberry Train does the same Madrid—Aranjuez route that it has been doing since 1984. Departing from Madrid's Railway Museum, and after a short journey on the train, you'll arrive in Aranjuez, a UNESCO heritage site famous for its mouth-watering strawberries (...) Since 1984, the Strawberry Train (so called because during the trip hostesses wearing period dresses would conduct a strawberry tasting session) has paid tribute to this revolutionary invention, which symbolises the arrival of industrialisation in our country. 

Dates in 2026: 

• March: 22, 28 and 29
• April: 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26
• May: 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31
• June: 6 and 7

Times 2026:

• Departure from the Railway Museum: 10am / Arrival in Aranjuez at 11am
• Return: 6.54pm from Aranjuez train station / Arrival at the Railway Museum in Madrid at 7.45pm.
• Entrance doors to the museum open at 9.15am / Entrance control closes 10 minutes prior to the departure of the train.

Then you can spend the day in Aranjuez, which has an amazing palace and gardens (one of our little Versailles: tickets here): "Royal Site, which is part of the Aranjuez Cultural Landscape, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Surrounded by a total of 111.23 hectares of visitable gardens and located on a fertile plain where the Tajo and Jarama rivers converge, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez has been the country residence par excellence of the Spanish Kings and Queens".

A FREE Marathon of Live Concerts:

(Translated from Time Out): La Casa Encendida is once again hosting La Radio Encendida, one of Madrid’s earliest spring music events, featuring a marathon of more than 10 hours of free concerts. This new edition will bring together over 20 artists, including well‑established names and emerging talents such as El Kanka, Veintiuno, Ginebras, Maria Rodés, Los Vinagres and Repion, with performances taking place in both the Patio and the Auditorium of the cultural center.

The 22nd edition will run on Sunday March 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, though it requires advance online ticket reservations in time slots, which can be requested on two different dates through the event’s website (https://www.lacasaencendida.es/conciertos/el-diablo-de-shanghai-repion-ginebras?eventId=9926). In addition to the main concerts, there will also be DJ sessions and small surprise performances. You need a ticket to access the concerts in the Patio and the Auditorium, but admission is free until full capacity is reached in the other areas of La Casa Encendida.

Location:

"La Casa Encendida" (this cultural and social space is very interesting for many other reasons, take a look!: https://www.lacasaencendida.es/en

Ronda de Valencia, 2

Metro Embajadores (L3) 

Fashion Week in Madrid... and St. Patrick's Festivities!!!!

Madrid’s fashion scene for March 2026 is highlighted by Fashion Week, taking place from March 12th to 22nd.

OMODA "Madrid es Moda"

OMODA Madrid es Moda, the city‑wide fashion program backed by the Madrid City Council, runs from March 12 to 17, bringing together 18 urban runway shows, eight presentations, and six creative activities across iconic locations. It opened on March 12 with a large public runway show in Plaza de España, followed on March 13 by an intense schedule featuring designers like Roberto Torretta, Oteyza, Mirto, Peñalver Brand, and Evade House—events that, as of today (March 14), readers have already missed.  The current weekend (March 14–15) includes shows and presentations by brands such as Adlib Ibiza, Paloma Suárez, Félix Ramiro, Javier Delafuente, and several open‑day exhibitions, while the final days (March 16–17) will feature creators including Devota & Lomba, Candelas y Felipa, Roberto Verino, Dominnico, Pilar Dalbat, and Duyos, who will close the 2026 edition . 

Exhibitions: “Echoes of Romantic Fashion” at the Museum of Romanticism, showcasing pieces from the Antoni de Montpalau Foundation (designs by Balenciaga, Pertegaz, Bibian Blue, and others).

      

Time and prices: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/museum-romanticism

Location: Alonso Martínez (L4, L5, L10), Chueca (L5), Tribunal (L1, L10)

AU Madrid encourages you to explore other areas of the museum . Works by Goya, Esquivel, Madrazo, Alenza and the Bécquer brothers, ceramics from Sargadelos and Sèvres, jewellery from ebonite, lava and human hair, a collection of porcelain dolls, 15 pianos, imperial and Isabelline furniture, and even the pistol Larra used to commit suicide immerse us in the Romantic period, a cultural movement which touched the hearts of young artists, intellectuals and politicians during the first half of the 19th century.

And finally enjoy a snack in its lovely café (affordable, don't worry!):

      

Shopping Areas: Barquillo and Fernando VI streets for designer brands, plus the Salamanca district (www.timeout.es).

Sustainable Fashion: And we could not forget The Circular Project, known for its focus on ethical and circular production: csfwmadrid.com

Mercedes‑Benz Fashion Week Madrid (MBFWMadrid) 

You can buy tickets for the professional runway shows organized by IFEMA, which take place from March 17th to 22nd (they are expensive, but take a look here).

Location: Avenida del Partenón, 5, 28042 Madrid (Pabellón 14.1).

Metro:

Feria de Madrid (L8 from Nuevos Ministerios).

Buses:

Línea 73: Diego de León - IFEMA MADRID

Línea 112: Mar de Cristal - Barrio del Aeropuerto

Línea 122: Avenida de América - IFEMA MADRID

Ireland Week in Madrid

(Text from the Official Tourism Website): In recent years, around St. Patrick’s Day (17 March), Tourism Ireland has presented a full programme to celebrate the Irish culture in style and its connection to Celtic roots in Spain. The popular St. Patrick’s Parade through the city centre, an initiative by the musician Bras Rodrigo, stands out among the activities, which included more than 600 pipers from all over Spain in last year’s edition. In 2026, the events are held from 10 to 17 March.

All the events (concerts, dance, literature, films, parades...) in: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/whats-on/ireland-week-madrid 

 

Gatronomic and Art suggestions

After several difficulties flying to Madrid from Nairobi, the students from the Kenya–Spain program arrived last Thursday! WELCOME! 💞Since they have just arrived, we are going to give them some advice about Madrid’s neighborhoods: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/madrid-neighbourhoods

On that web site, you can find the most famous areas in Madrid, which most people know, we are adding one more: The Chinese New Year celebrations have just wrapped up (this year marked the Year of the Snake), but it’s still a great moment to explore Madrid’s Chinatown. Usera is home to the largest Chinese community in Spain. Every year, it becomes the epicentre of Chinese New Year festivities, with a vibrant cultural programme organised by Madrid City Council, the Chinese Embassy, Casa Asia and local associations. Although the official celebrations are over, you can (and should!) still head there to enjoy some of the most authentic Chinese food in the city. The regional variety is impressive — from Cantonese to Sichuan, Yunnan and Shanghai cuisine:

• Royal Cantonés – Calle del Olvido, 92
  Often considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in Madrid. Specialised in Cantonese cuisine since 2009. Expect dim sum, roast duck, lotus root, jellyfish and more.
• Hong Kong 70 – Calle de Nicolás Sánchez, 11
  Traditional Cantonese cuisine with expert chefs. Daily handmade dim sum and Hong Kong-style roasts.
• Lao Tou – Calle de Nicolás Sánchez, 35
  100% traditional Sichuan and Cantonese dishes. Perfect for discovering new textures and flavours.
• Picante de Sichuán – Calle de Dolores Barranco, 10
  Ideal for spice lovers — try their shaokao or double-cooked pork.

Additionally, if you want to try traditional Madrid food, since the weather isn’t fully spring-like yet, this is the perfect moment for this grastronomic event (once the heat arrives, it’s not as appealing): the 16th edition of the Ruta del Cocido Madrileño (15 February-31 March 2026). Cocido madrileño is Madrid’s most traditional winter dish, a hearty chickpea stew served in stages, usually with soup, vegetables, and different meats (chorizo, morcilla, pork, beef, and more). Comfort food at its best. The Ruta del Cocido Madrileño is an event where many restaurants in Madrid offer their own version of this dish. During these weeks, diners can try it at different restaurants, compare recipes, and even vote for prizes for the best versions. You can find a list of the restaurants participating here with its prices (scroll until you find it: https://www.eldiario.es/madrid/somos/agenda/ruta-cocido-madrileno-2026-30-restaurantes-capital-listado-completo-participantes-precios_1_12984165.html  ) If you don’t eat pork or meat in general you can also try a vegetarian version here: Verbena Bar at Calle de Velarde, 24 (Metro Tribunal, L1 y L10).

And since “people do not live by bread alone” :-), important cultural events for these days:

• ARCOmadrid – Spain’s major contemporary art fair is currently taking place at IFEMA. A must if you’re into modern and contemporary art.
• Ellas Crean – A city-wide festival celebrating female creators, with concerts, exhibitions, theatre and talks across different venues in Madrid.