This article is part of FT Globetrotter’s guide to Madrid
A year in Madrid is a tale of two halves: summer is scorching, warding off Madrileños in need of a breeze, and winters can be surprisingly chilly. The cultural scene is just as varied. Below is a curated, month-by-month guide to some of the best events on offer in the Spanish capital this year, spanning art exhibitions, opera, sport and festivals. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so do tell us in the comments about any other Madrid highlights on your radar this year that other FT readers might like to know about.
February
Art
‘On the Reverse’, Museo del Prado
This exhibition explores the “B-side of pictorial support”, turning major artworks around. Visitors will see famous paintings from the other side: the backs of canvases, or even two-sided paintings, encouraging them to appreciate the works beyond their fronts. The show features art from the Prado’s own collection as well as loans from around the world, including appearances from Bronzino and Van Gogh. Until March 3; further information and tickets here
‘Picasso 1906: The Turning Point’, Museo Reina Sofía
The exhibition seeks to showcase Picasso’s contribution to what we now know as “modern art”, and the year 1906 as a pivotal period in his aesthetic development. At the age of 25, the artist was moving away from his rose period, but had not yet embarked on Cubist classics such as “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”. Until March 4; further information and tickets here
‘Monet. Obras Maestras del Musée Marmottan Monet, París’ (Monet: Masterpieces from the Marmottan Monet Museum, Paris), CentroCentro
A showcase of more than 50 masterpieces by Claude Monet, on loan from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris. The works span the artist’s career, including those he considered “his and his alone”, which were kept hidden away in his home until after his death. Until February 25; further information and tickets here
‘Isabel Quintanilla’s Intimate Realism’, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
The museum’s first retrospective dedicated to a female Spanish artist displays 100 works spanning the career of Isabel Quintanilla, a key player in the contemporary realism movement. February 27 to June 2; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’ (The House of Bernarda Alba), Teatro María Guerrero
This grand, classical theatre is putting on Lorca’s final play. Repression, family and an exploration of sexism take centre stage under Alfredo Sanzol’s direction. February 9 to March 31; further information and tickets here
‘Afanador’ by the Ballet Nacional de España, Teatro Real
Spain’s national ballet company premieres a flamenco show built around the aesthetic of Ruvén Afanador’s high-contrast, body-centric photography. February 9 to 11; further information and tickets here
Events
Carnival Madrid 2024
Festivities hit town in February, with huge parades and some enthusiastically eccentric costumes spotted across the city. Highlights include the symbolic Burial of the Sardine (famously captured by Goya) on February 14 and the Masquerade Ball at the Círculo de Bellas Artes on the 18th. February 10 to 14; Masquerade Ball, February 18; further information here
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid
This showcase for the Spanish fashion industry takes over showrooms, catwalks, and venues across the city, including the IFEMA Madrid, with five days full of shows, interviews and livestreams. February 15 to 19; further information and tickets here
March
Art
ARCOmadrid, IFEMA Madrid
The international contemporary art fair celebrates its 43rd edition in 2024, and aims to unite “past and future through galleries and their essential relationship with artists and collectors”. This year’s programme is titled ‘The Shore, the Tide, the Current: An Oceanic Caribbean’, and there are subsections dedicated to Latin American art. March 6 to 10; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Carmen’, Teatro Real
Bizet’s masterpiece comes to one of Europe’s most prestigious opera houses for one night only. The French mezzo-soprano Gaëlle Arquez is the titular heroine; Belgian conductor René Jacobs leads the B-Rock Orchestra. March 27; further information and tickets here
Event
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Holy Week means music, traditional costumes and processions aplenty in Madrid’s streets. The latter begin on the Friday before Palm Sunday and continue until Easter Sunday, and are accompanied by classical music concerts across the city, including organ recitals in the church of San Ginés. Find torrijas (cinnamon-flavoured fried bread) on tables across Madrid; bite-sized pieces of battered cod (soldaditos de pavía) are also traditional. March 24 to 31, date of San Ginés concert TBA; further information here
April
Sport
Mutua Madrid Open, Caja Mágica
The clay courts of Caja Mágica will be buzzing this April for the return of the city’s major tennis tournament. Spanish wunderkind Carlos Alcaraz took home the trophy last year, exclaiming “Madrid is everything to me” post-match. April 22 to May 5; further information and tickets here
Performance
‘Los Guapos’ (The Handsome Ones) and ‘Brief History of the Spanish Railway’, Teatro María Guerrero
Oscar-nominated David Trueba stages his own play Los Guapos, which traces a tale of rediscovery — of a former lover, and a former life. And with Madrid director Beatriz Jaén at the helm, Brief History of the Spanish Railway is a dive into the origins of capitalism in Spain and its ties to the country’s royal family — all through the lens of the evolution of the rail network. “Los Guapos”, April 24 to June 9; further information and tickets here. “Brief History of the Spanish Railway”, April 25 to May 26; further information and tickets here
‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’, Teatro Real
The return of Wagner’s comic opera, two decades after its last performance here. Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado has led multiple Wagners at El Real; the cast includes Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley and South Korean bass Jongmin Park. April 24 to May 25; further information and tickets here
May
Art
PHotoESPAÑA 2024
The annual photography festival begins its four-month run in May, taking over a plethora of Madrid’s museums, art spaces and galleries. The permanent headquarters are at the PHE Gallery, where you can see some of the best the show has to offer. May to September; further information here
‘Arte y Transformaciones Sociales en España: 1885-1910’ (Art and Social Transformation in Spain: 1885—1910), Prado
The Prado’s summer exhibition explores Spain’s turbulent political climate in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Expect to see Sorolla aplenty. May 21 to September 22; further information and tickets here
Sport
World Rugby Seven Series (Grand Final)
The international tournament will culminate in Madrid, with the Grand Final weekend marking the zenith. Head to the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium to watch. May 31 to June 2; further information and tickets here
Festivals
Flamenco Madrid Festival
Look forward to a month of shows, music, exhibitions and talks celebrating the Unesco-protected art form. The main venue is the Fernán Gómez cultural centre, but locations across the capital are hosting events. There are even masterclasses if you fancy having a stab at your own “¡Olé!”. Throughout May; further information here
Fiesta del 2 de mayo (Festival of May 2)
An important day in Madrid marking the city’s uprising against the occupying French in 1808, beginning the war of Spanish independence. Find music, food, and celebrations across the city, particularly in the Malasaña neighbourhood, which is named after Manuela Malasaña, a May 2 martyr who was executed by French troops. May 2; further information here
San Isidro Day
The Spanish capital honours its patron saint like only Madrileños could. During the week running up to the saint’s day (May 15), you can find locals dressed in traditional costumes dancing the traditional chotis, and punters drinking limonada (wine, lemon, sugar and chopped fruit) and eating rosquillas (doughnuts). Head to the Parque de San Isidro to soak up the atmosphere. May 6 to 15; further information here.
June
Art
‘Machinations’, Museo Reina Sofia
Built around the theories of philosopher Gilles Deleuze and psychoanalyst Félix Guattari, Machinations delves into the the shifting notion of “the machine”. Artists featured include Georges Adéagbo and Efrén Álvarez. June 21 to August 28; further information and tickets here
‘The De-centred Gaze: Art and Colonialism in the Thyssen Collections’, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Aiming to deconstruct and discuss colonial histories, the museum invites us to decipher the legacy of imperialism within selected works from its collections. June 25 to October 20; further information here
Performance
‘Doña Francisquita’, Teatro de la Zarzuela
The arrival of Amadeo Vives’s classic 1923 zarzuela (Spanish operetta with musical passages interspersed with spoken dialogue) at the grand Teatro de la Zarzuela is highly anticipated. From June 19 until 30; further information and tickets here
Music
Noches del Botánico, Madrid Complutense University
The university opens its botanic gardens for after-dark entertainment in the summer. Noches del Botánico 2024 includes performances from a wide range of bands, singers and genres, including PJ Harvey, James Blake, Take That, Queens of the Stone Age, Toto and James Blunt, as well as Spanish indie-pop artist Mikel Izal. June 7 to July 27; further information and tickets here
Event
Feria del Libro de Madrid, El Retiro Park
An alfresco book fair over the first half of June. From activities, forums, food and, naturally, books galore, this is a top choice for adults and children alike. May 31 to June 16; further information here
July
Performance
‘Madama Butterfly’, Teatro Real
Puccini’s classic comes to Madrid this summer, under the baton of Damiano Michieletto. June 30 to July 22; Tickets and information here
Festivals
Mad Cool Festival, Iberdrola Music
This eclectic four-day music festival returns with a line-up including Dua Lipa, Pearl Jam, Janelle Monáe, The Breeders, Arlo Parks and Sleaford Mods, as well as numerous other pop, rock and indie acts. July 10 to 13; further information and tickets here
Veranos de la Villa festival
The annual two-month programme begins in July, with cultural events and activities across the city, including dance, exhibitions, concerts, theatre — and even circus. This year marks the festival’s 40th edition and is due to be packed with events at venues all over Madrid. July and August; further information here
August
Festivals
In August, much of the city scarpers, fleeing the heat for the coast. But hardcore locals can be found hopping from festival to festival, with three districts celebrating important traditions this month. The string of fiestas begins with San Cayetano in the Rastro/Embajadores area, followed by San Lorenzo in the Lavapiés neighbourhood and ending with La Paloma around La Latina. The fun includes dancing, singing, games, processions, food trucks and tapas routes. San Cayetano is celebrated on August 7, San Lorenzo on August 10, and La Paloma on August 15, but festivities tend to run either side of the day itself; further information here
September
Architecture
Architecture Week 2024
Seven days of exhibitions, open buildings, conferences and more. Espacio COAM is an important hub during the festival. Specific dates to be confirmed; further information here
Sport
Vuelta a España
The world’s best cyclists will be braving the Spanish sun as the grand tour returns. The final stage ends with a sprint time trial through Madrid. September 8; further information here
Acciona Open de España
The golf tournament returns to the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid this September as part of the European Tour. Last year’s event was won by Matthieu Pavon. September 26 to 29; further information here
Event
Vogue’s Fashion Night Out
While this year’s dates have not yet been announced, the event usually takes place in September in Madrid. Enjoy an evening where fashion shops stay open until late with special discounts on offer — alongside a party at Casa Vogue featuring live performances. Date to be confirmed; read about last year’s event here
October
Music
JAZZMADRID24
More than 70 concerts and 200 events across the city featuring major jazz artists. October and November (dates to be confirmed); further information here
Festival
Tapapiés
After a roaring success in 2023, Tapapiés (the Lavapiés neighbourhood’s annual tapas festival) should be returning this October. The event spotlights tapas from Spain and beyond at delightful prices — think €3 for a tapa and beer. Dates to be confirmed; further information here soon
November
Art
‘Gabriele Münter: The Great Expressionist Woman Painter’, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Discover more than 100 of the works of one of the most influential figures of German Expressionism. November 12 to February 9 2025; further information here
Sport
IFEMA Madrid Horse Week
Heralded as the “most important equestrian show in Spain”, with everything from dressage to show jumping. And it’s not just about the horses: the “village” takes over the IFEMA exhibition complex, with fashion, food, and jewellery stands and VIP hospitality experiences. Dates to be confirmed; further information here
Festival
Madrid Autumn Festival
This annual event will be turning 42 this November. It’s widely regarded as the most important performing-arts festival in the country; last year featured productions by 38 companies from 12 countries, with numerous premieres. Dates to be confirmed; further information here
Event
Madrid Hotel Week
This festival is a toast to the importance of the hotel industry in Madrid, and a celebration of everything that it has to offer. The week is usually around November, with activities at hotels across the city, including everything from food to cocktails, sport and wellbeing to music, art, fashion and tech. Dates to be confirmed; further information here soon
December
Holidays
Día de la Constitución
On December 6 1978, the Spanish people voted by a huge majority for a democratic constitution. To mark the anniversary, the national parliament holds open door days every year. December 6; further information here soon
Christmas and New Year
Christmas lights and markets fill the streets of Madrid in December, with festive celebrations everywhere. On New Year’s Eve, thousands gather at the Puerta del Sol to honour the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes during the new year countdown. The hope is that each grape will secure good fortune for each month of the upcoming year.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please tell us in the comments below about any other 2024 calendar highlights for Madrid that other readers might like to know about
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