The San Cayetano festivities kick off this Tuesday, August 4, in the Embajadores and El Rastro neighbourhoods, with the General Vara de Rey square as the epicentre. The programme includes concerts, traditional activities, and free lemonade until the 7th.
Madrid inaugurates its summer verbena cycle this Tuesday, August 4, with the San Cayetano festivities, which will last until Friday, August 7. The celebration, with a distinctly traditional character, transforms the surroundings of Embajadores, Lavapiés, and La Latina into a continuous stage of music, processions, and tradition, with the General Vara de Rey square as the nerve centre.
The programme begins at 19:30 with a display of giants and big-headed figures, followed by the presentation of traditional characters and the opening speech by SAMUR-Civil Protection, scheduled between 20:00 and 20:15. From there, the day's activities will take place in the square itself, Ribera de Curtidores, Cascorro, and Calle del Oso, where free lemonade will be served with a band from 19:00.
The first night includes performances by Raya Real and The Zona Rock Band at 21:30, followed by DJ sessions until one in the morning. Attendees can also enjoy storytelling at Ribera de Curtidores, 2, and community activities at the Cascorro square.
From chotis to concerts
On Wednesday, August 5, Calle del Oso will host a chotis masterclass from 18:30 to 19:30, while a frog game will be set up in Cascorro. The General Vara de Rey square will feature the performance “Chulapa” by Amanda Verdú at 20:00, and Jarana at 21:30. Lemonade will again be available from 19:30.
On Thursday, August 6, the programme opens with an instrument workshop on Calle de la Encomienda, 18, from 12:30 to 14:30. In the afternoon, activities will again concentrate in the same spaces, with offerings for all audiences. The main day, Friday, August 7, coincides with the feast of San Cayetano and will be the culmination of days in which the neighbourhood recovers its most traditional atmosphere.
Among the notable names in this edition are Soleá Morente, Celtas Cortos, Modestia Aparte, and Miss Caffeina, who will perform throughout the verbena cycle, which continues afterwards with San Lorenzo and the Virgen de la Paloma until August 16. The San Cayetano festivities maintain a more neighbourhood feel, with bustling streets and a programme designed for locals and visitors to enjoy the city.
For those who come during these days, the recommendation is to arrive early in the afternoon when the streets begin to transform, and there is still time to explore the various points of interest. Access to all activities is free, and lemonade, one of the symbols of these festivities, is served on Calle del Oso until midnight.
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