Collado Villalba is getting ready to experience its main week, the 2026 Santiago Apostle Festival, which will kick off on Wednesday, July 22, with a programme that includes concerts by Café Quijano, DeMarco Flamenco, and Gonzalo Hermida, as well as bull runs, novice bullfights, and activities for the whole family.
The festive atmosphere is already palpable in the streets of Collado Villalba less than 24 hours before the official start of the 2026 Santiago Apostle Festival. This Tuesday, the transfer of the Apostle from the Hermitage to the Parish of the Holy Trinity marked the unofficial start of a celebration that promises to fill the municipality of the Metropolitan West with music, colour, and tradition.
The party groups, the soul of the festival, did not want to wait until Wednesday and have already organised a pre-barbecue to warm up. The enthusiasm of locals and visitors is tangible, and everything points to this year's edition being once again a massive event.
Free concerts in the Plaza de los Belgas and family activities
Music will be one of the main attractions of this festival, with a programme featuring top-level artists and free entry. The Plaza de los Belgas will host the headline concerts: Café Quijano, DeMarco Flamenco, and Gonzalo Hermida lead a lineup that also includes DJ Fest, Granitorock, musical tributes, and orchestras for all tastes.
Meanwhile, the Plaza de la Estación will become the epicentre of family activities. There, the opening speech, orchestras, and leisure proposals designed for the little ones will take place, ensuring that they also enjoy the main week. The offerings are completely free and open to all audiences, a hallmark that the Collado Villalba Town Hall maintains edition after edition.
Bullfighting tradition and fireworks as the grand finale
The Santiago Apostle Festival would not be the same without its bullfighting festivities. The bull runs and novice bullfights, deeply rooted in the locality, will once again take centre stage for several days, attracting enthusiasts from across the region. The bullfighting programme will be complemented by parallel activities that keep the tradition alive.
The big day will be July 25, the feast of Santiago Apostle, with the processional outing of the patron after the 11:00 am mass. But the celebrations will not end there: the grand finale will come with a fireworks display that will light up the sky of Collado Villalba and conclude five days of togetherness and joy.
For residents who want to plan their week, activities will start on Wednesday, July 22, with the opening of the fairgrounds and will extend until Sunday, July 26. The complete programme is available on the municipal website and at the Town Hall information points. The Town Council recommends using public transport to access the centre during the busiest days.
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