2023 is a year full of excitement for Madrid. Travelers to the city will experience the vibrant life and exciting events at every turn they take, no matter when they choose to visit. Lovers of traditions and history buffs can experience royal inaugurations and weeks full of dramatic and moving Flamenco performances, while more festive crowds can delight in music festivals and Carnival weekends. Regardless of age or hobbies, every traveler visiting Madrid this year will be greeted by joyous and culture-filled events that are sure to leave them wanting to return.
Inauguration of the Gallery of Royal Collections History lovers looking to visit Madrid this year will delight at the newest addition to the city’s cultural offering, the Gallery of Royal Collections. Built in Madrid’s Royal Palace complex, this museum invites travelers to journey through the history of the Spanish monarchy and the artistic taste of each of its leaders. Set to inaugurate this summer, the museum will consist of six floors that house three exhibition rooms, a reception room featuring various works of art, six storage rooms, offices and more. Travelers seeking to immerse themselves in European culture will find works by some of the continent’s most renowned artists like Ribera, Velasquez Caravaggio, Bosch, Titian, El Greco, among others. The building itself has won several architecture awards including the COAM 2016 First Prize and the FAD Award for Architecture 2017.
Memorable Celebrations Taking Place in 2023 Madrid’s culture is reflected in the festivities and traditions that commemorate celebrations or historical events that took place over the last centuries. April 8th marks the 50th anniversary since the death of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and the city is set to host a series of carefully curated activities to honor the occasion – Celebrating Picasso 1973-2023. Travelers that are art aficionados should look no further than the Prado Museum which will host an exhibition that intersperses works by Picasso with paintings by El Greco, one of the artists that influenced him the most. Visitors can also enjoy an immersive exhibition dedicated to the centenary of Sorolla at the Royal Palace where they can find artistic creations with digital recreations and sensory experiences from February to June 2023.
2023 Events and Festivals in the Spanish Capital Madrid is gearing up for an eventful year full of culture, culinary and music festivals that will keep the city’s streets alive at all hours. The year’s festivities kick off on February 17, the last full moon of the winter season, with the annual Carnival—a five-day celebration that fills the streets with color, music and laughter. On May 15, the city comes together to honor its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, during the San Isidro Festival. This week-long program features everything from concerts, to parades, to traditional religious ceremonies that all ages are sure to enjoy. During these celebrations, travelers will not only notice the eye-catching garments but can also taste some of the city’s best bites like the rosquillas—doughnuts that come in different shapes and sizes and are topped with a variety of options such as glaze, dry meringue and almonds. While travelers can delight in the passionate flamenco performances year-round, May 18 kicks off the Flamenco Madrid Festival—an almost three-week-long celebration dedicated to the importance and beauty of Flamenco. Dancing, singing and instrumental performances will be showcased throughout this festival, along with other compelling activities like exhibitions, round tables and even master classes.
The second half of the year promises to be just as eventful as the first with Primavera Sound Festival setting the tone for summer. From June 8 through the 10th, Madrid will host some of the most world-renowned artists of today’s generation for an unforgettable weekend including the Spanish flamenco-pop phenomenon, Rosalia. Other participating artists include Kendrick Lamar, Calvin Harris, Diplo, Skrillex and many more. In the fall, the city’s newest tradition will take place, the international festival of light: LuzMadrid. From October 27 through the 29th, the second annual LuzMadrid will celebrate the declaration of the Landscape of Light as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once more, the Spanish capital will be illuminated with innovative artistic expressions. The first edition of the festival was awarded the A Greener Festival International Prize for Sustainability.
Madrid, The World Capital of Sport Every year, Madrid hosts a collection of top-tier sports events. Boasting the world’s best league, it’s no wonder the city is passionate about soccer. The redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabeu is among the most emblematic projects going on in 2023. Visitors will get to see a reconstructed stadium fit for the 22nd century. To delight soccer fans, the museum, Legends. The Home of Football, will open its doors for fans to enjoy a chronological journey through the history of soccer, using the most advanced technology, which enables immersive experiences to be enjoyed and more than 4,000 historic objects to be seen.
Madrid has everything to offer travelers this year, and more. With all the festivals and inaugural events set to take place this year, visitors of all ages, interests, and cultures are set to have an unforgettable vacation that will have them booking their next trip while still enjoying the city. For more information and dates on upcoming events, please visit www.esmadrid.com/en.
