From August 12 to 15, the La Latina neighbourhood celebrates the last big summer fair with concerts by Rosario, Kiko Veneno, and Cariño, as well as chulapos contests and the traditional descent of the Virgin's image.
The Fiestas de la Paloma 2026, the most traditional event in the Madrid calendar, return to La Latina from August 12 to 15 with a programme that combines tradition, live music, and religious events. The Plaza de la Paja, the Plaza de las Vistillas, and the area around the parish of the Virgen de la Paloma will be the main venues for four days that will close the cycle of fairs in the Centro district.
The programme kicks off on Wednesday, August 12, with activities for all ages. In the morning, children can participate in a fan and paper shawl workshop on Calle de la Fe, from 12:30 to 14:30. In the afternoon, the Plaza de la Paja will host the traditional chulapos and chulapas contest starting at 19:00, followed at 21:00 by a traditional zarzuela and chotis recital by the Agrupación El Orgullo de Madrid.
Music will be the main highlight of the nights. Kiko Veneno will perform on Wednesday at 22:00 in Las Vistillas, and the day will close with DJ Guacamayo Tropical's set until two in the morning. On Thursday, August 13, the Plaza de la Paja will offer a popular tasting of paella and lemonade from 13:00 to 15:00, while in the afternoon there will be a pasodoble contest and a chotis contest for couples at 19:30. The night will feature a tribute to Hombres G by the band Aconsecuencia and a concert by the indie pop group Cariño at 22:00 in Las Vistillas.
The Grand Fair on Friday and the Day of the Virgin
On Friday, August 14, the eve of the festival, La Latina will experience one of its most crowded nights. The programme includes a traditional tile painting workshop on Calle de Argumosa, popular games, and a children's gymkhana in the Plaza de la Paja, along with a performance by the singer María de la Hiedra. The highlight will come at 22:30 with Rosario Flores on the Las Vistillas stage, followed by the Grand Fair of La Paloma with the Orquesta Panorama from midnight until 2:30.
On Saturday, August 15, the main day, religious events will combine with the final performances. At 12:30, a solemn mass will be held at the church of the Virgen de la Paloma, located at Calle de la Paloma, 19. At 14:00, the emotional act of the descent of the Virgin's image will take place, led by the firefighters of the Madrid City Council, and at 20:00, the procession will set out through the neighbourhood streets. The grand finale will be marked by the closing fireworks, which will conclude the festivities.
The celebration, organised by the Madrid City Council in collaboration with the district board and local merchants, is free to access and aims to keep the popular traditions of the capital alive. The fairs will continue into the early hours of the morning, so public transport is recommended, especially the metro (lines 5 and 6, La Latina station) and EMT buses.
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