They say Madrid empties out in August. And we’ll tell you that it does, but also that it doesn’t. Or at least, not as much as it did a few years ago. Some people, either by choice or because they have little alternative, stay put and bravely face the heat rising from the pavements. Others choose the city as their holiday destination. Whether they are staying in Madrid or visiting, they will soon discover that Madrid in August is also one big celebration.

Or, more precisely, a street festival. Well, three street festivals. As soon as August arrives, the city comes alive, locals don their traditional chulapo and chulapa outfits, barrel organs fill the streets with music and Madrid celebrates, one after another, the festivals of San Cayetano, San Lorenzo and La Paloma. Because yes, we already know: Madrid is always ready for a party.

The feast day of San Cayetano is 7 August, San Lorenzo is celebrated on the 10th and La Paloma on the 15th. Those are the official dates, at least. Each saint, however, brings several extra days of festivities, which have the wonderful habit of following one another in the calendar. Think of it as a kind of festive relay race.

The exact dates vary from year to year, but as a general rule, make sure you always keep the first half of August free. In 2026, San Cayetano will be celebrated in Madrid from 5 to 8 August; San Lorenzo from 9 to 12 August; and the Virgen de la Paloma from 14 to 17 August.

The triangle formed by La Latina, Lavapiés and Embajadores becomes the epicentre of Madrid’s August street festivals. These are some of the city’s most traditional neighbourhoods, and the celebrations begin to gather pace around El Rastro and Embajadores for San Cayetano. Plaza de Cascorro, Plaza del General Vara de Rey, Ribera de Curtidores and Calle del Oso are usually where most of the activities take place.

When it is San Lorenzo’s turn, you will only need to move a little further towards Lavapiés, where places such as Plaza de Arturo Barea offer a seemingly endless array of things to see and do. When La Paloma arrives, head over to La Latina, particularly Plaza de la Paja and the Jardines de las Vistillas.

You cannot miss them. You will know where to go by following the Manila shawls and colourful bunting decorating the streets, suspended overhead from one building to another. Beneath them, you will find everything you need to enjoy a street festival to the full.

That means storytelling, face painting and arts and crafts workshops for children; folk dancing and traditional Madrid performances for those who appreciate the classics; brass bands and lemonade for anyone who wants to keep the mood upbeat; mus, Parcheesi and domino tournaments for those with a competitive streak; and even a Manila shawl competition for anyone keen to show off their finest attire.

And yes, there are concerts ranging from family-friendly and traditional Madrid performances to rock, pop, indie and electronic music. Whatever your taste, you are sure to find a rhythm that keeps you dancing.

At a traditional Madrid street festival, offal takes centre stage. More specifically, entresijos and gallinejas. These are pieces of fried lamb intestine: rich, tasty and perfect for lining your stomach. You are going to need it. Here, people toast with limoná. Not just any lemonade, but a drink made with white wine, sugar and lemon juice. Be careful: served nice and cold, it goes down dangerously easily. For dessert, track down a traditional wafer seller and decide whether you want your barquillos flavoured with cinnamon, vanilla or lemon.

That covers the traditional classics. Beyond those, there are plenty of other options depending on the time of day and where you happen to be. After all, how could you leave Cascorro without trying the snails at Casa Amadeo, or Lavapiés without ordering Melo’s famous zapatilla sandwich?

We take your rest seriously. Especially when we know you have chosen us as your base camp and somewhere to retreat between one street festival and the next. That is why tranquillity comes first at Sercotel hotels in Madrid. We make sure your room is always ready for you — you never know when an impromptu nap might help you get through the rest of the day — and provide everything you need so you do not have to worry about a thing: parking, a generous and delicious buffet breakfast, a pillow menu, late check-out and a reception team ready to tell you everything you would like to know about our city and, of course, its street festivals.