The Madrid district of Vicálvaro will celebrate its patronal festivities in honour of Santa María la Antigua on August 14 and 15, with a programme that includes a proclamation, fireworks, procession, and a popular paella.
The plaza de don Antonio de Andrés will once again be the epicentre of the Vicálvaro 2026 Patronal Festivities, which will take place on August 14 and 15 in honour of Santa María la Antigua, the patron saint of the district. The Municipal Board of the Vicálvaro District is organising festivities that, according to municipal sources, aim to recover the traditional flavour of the time when the neighbourhood was an independent village, far from the large events of the fairground.
The proclamation will be given by Gonzalo Barral Nieto, director of CEIP Severo Ochoa, and will lead to two days where dances with orchestras, religious events, and family activities will be the main attractions. The celebrations are supported by associations, groups, businesses, and residents from the district's neighbourhoods.
Friday 14: gunpowder and music
The first day will kick off at 21:00 with a dance featuring an orchestra in the plaza. At 21:30, the proclamation will be delivered by Barral Nieto, and at 22:00 the music will start again. The highlight of the night will come at 23:00 with the salve in honour of the Virgin of the Antigua, followed at midnight by the fireworks at Valdebernardo Forest Park. At 00:15 on Saturday, the orchestra will resume the dance for those who arrive late.
Saturday 15: tradition and community
The main day will begin at 10:00 with the Santa María la Antigua tribute football match at the Valdebernardo Football Stadium. At 10:30, the main mass will take place at the Church of Santa María la Antigua, followed at 12:00 by the children's bull run. At 13:30, popular paella and lemonade will be served, accompanied by a street band.
In the afternoon, the image of Santa María la Antigua will be taken out in procession accompanied by the Music Band, marking one of the most emotional moments of the festivities. The programme will be completed with dances and activities for all audiences, as detailed by the Municipal Board.
The events will mainly take place in the plaza de don Antonio de Andrés, except for the sports activities and fireworks, which will occur in the Valdebernardo area. Access to all events is free and open to residents and visitors from other districts.
The festivities in Vicálvaro, which have been celebrated for decades, are one of the traditional summer events in the east of the capital. The organisation recommends arriving early for the most crowded events, such as the procession and the popular paella, to enjoy them comfortably.
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