San Isidro festivities

At the beginning of May, Madrid launches the San Isidro festivities programme. From 7 May onwards, activities are held daily and cover different neighbourhoods of the city. The programme includes concerts, street performances, fairs and traditional activities.

The festival is dedicated to San Isidro Labrador, Madrid’s patron saint. Its story begins with the pilgrimage to the Pradera de San Isidro. People went there to a spring considered to have healing properties. They spent the day outdoors, ate, met up and organised small parties. Over time, fairs and music appeared in the surrounding area, and this place became the centre of May gatherings. Later, the tradition became a municipal festival that today extends throughout Madrid and combines old customs with modern urban programming.

A specific part of the festival is related to chulapismo. The city hosts workshops on chulapa and chulapo dress, fashion shows and creative projects.