San Cayetano kicks off on August 4 in Embajadores with giants and chotis

The San Cayetano festivities will fill Embajadores, Lavapiés, and La Latina from August 4 to 16 with street parties, processions, and free concerts.

The Community of Madrid welcomes August with one of its most traditional events: the San Cayetano festivities, which from August 4 to 16 will turn the Embajadores neighbourhood into the epicentre of summer in Madrid. Workshops, processions, lemonade, and chotis will take place over fourteen days in a programme that kicks off this Tuesday at the Rastro.

The main stages will be the plaza del General Vara de Rey and Ribera de Curtidores street, 2, where musical performances and traditional events will be concentrated. The celebration is part of a festive cycle that will continue with San Lorenzo and culminate with the Virgen de la Paloma.

A traditional start

On Tuesday, August 4, at 19:30, the exhibition of Giants and Bigheads will open the festivities in the plaza del General Vara de Rey. Characters such as Casta, Susana, Maja de Lavapiés, La Señá Rita, El Julián, and Don Hilarón will be the stars of a show designed for all ages.

At 20:00 the official proclamation will take place, and at 20:45 the Traditional Characters will be chosen. From 21:30, 'Raya Real' and 'The Zona Rock Band' will perform simultaneously on both stages, followed by DJ sessions until 01:00 in the morning. Meanwhile, the AVV La Corrala promotes the Lavapiés History Project in the plaza de Cascorro, and there will be free lemonade on Oso street.

Chotis, zarzuela, and night street parties

On Wednesday 5, the Association of Castizos Los Chisperos de Arganzuela will hold a popular chotis masterclass at 18:30 on Oso street. In the evening, 'Amanda Verdú' will offer a traditional performance at 20:00, and at 21:30 'Jarana' and 'La Fiesta' will liven up both squares before the DJ sessions.

On Thursday 6, the 'Corrala de Zarzuela' will take over at 20:00 in the plaza del General Vara de Rey, while the Tuna de Medicina from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid will entertain Oso street from 20:00 to 21:00. The street parties will continue until August 7, with concert times extending until 01:00.

Residents and visitors can enjoy all activities for free. The complete programme, with times and locations, can be consulted on the Madrid City Council website.