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To the long list of some of the best museums in the world, some of the most interesting monuments in Europe, an ancient history and a unique gastronomy, now that the good weather is starting to arrive, we must add the music festivals.
The good weather has never really left the Spanish capital, and so has the music, which never stops playing in Madrid's best live music venues. But if you combine spring, summer, your favourite music and people looking for a good time, who can say no?
Festivals are synonymous with good vibes, good music and a great desire to dance. Add to that the good weather in Madrid and the fact that the capital offers a wide variety of types and genres of festivals. There is something for everyone.
From 30th may to 17th June
The ALMA Occident Madrid Festival is a mixture of festival and concert series, the reason why it appears on our list? Because it's a festival that usually takes place in Barcelona. So if it's in Madrid, it's worth both naming and visiting.
If you need more reasons, let me tell you that it takes place in the Enrique Tierno Galván Park and that this 2024 edition will be attended by artists such as Deep Purple, Jamie Cullum, Evanescence, Vetusta Morla, Valeria Castro and Jorge Drexler.
Nationally and internationally renowned artists from different genres who have in common the quality of their music and lyrics. Experience it in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. This series of concerts is a different vibe, you have to experience it.
From 4th June to 31st July
OK, yes, you're right, you're looking for music festivals and so far we've only seen concert series. They are like festivals but in small doses, but how can you expect us not to talk about artists like PJ Harvey, Take That, Mikel Izal, Tom Jones, Status Quo, Estrella Morente, Julieta Venegas, Queens of the Stone Age? Among many, many other artists.
Now you are interested, aren't you? Well, let me tell you that the concerts take place in the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, in the Ciudad Universitaria, and you'd better not think too much about it because they'll be sold out faster than you can imagine. Concerts in a magical place.
21st and 22nd June
We set foot in festival territory proper. And not just any festival, we're talking about A Summer Story, a festival held in the City of Rock, Arganda del Rey, which brings big names in the world of DJs such as DJ Snake, DJ Nano, Miane, Jorge Ruiz, Shlømo and Carl Cox.
Two days of the best of house and techno in a place created by and for music where artists and people from all over the world come together to enjoy themselves. Are you going to miss 48 hours of pure partying and fun?
22nd June
It could be that electronic music and DJs are not your thing because you say that: When I used to go to discos I danced to music that you could dance to. First, let me tell you that you sound older than you are. Second, no excuses, this is your festival.
Five stages, 24 hours and lots and lots of the best dance music from the golden 90s. Snap!, Eiffel 65, Corona, Gala, Nacha Pop, Locomía, Azúcar Moreno and the list goes on until there are more than 70 artists. Look at you, but if you got excited just reading about it. Well, imagine living it, IFEMA awaits you.
29th June
Do you still think it´s not good enough? Are there some names you don't recognise? No problem, we take a leap forward, and we're back in the 2000s. IFEMA puts the disc-man in the pocket of its bell-bottom trousers to enjoy King Africa, Las Ketchup, David Civera, Decai, Coyote Dax, Beth, Iguana Tango and many more. This time machine only lasts about 12 hours and you decide if you want to go back to enjoy and live a time when you didn't even know what interest rates were. It's up to you.
4th, 5th & 6th July
We start to get to places where the talent and artistic level starts to get crazy, where you realise that great things are going to happen right in front of you. Imagine artists like Juanes, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Nil Moliner, Andrés Calamaro or Amaral performing in front of you just after you've been laughing with the best of Spanish national comedy like Facu Díaz, Laura del Val, JJ Vaquero, Álvaro Casares, Miguel Campos and many more.
A real blast, isn't it? Well, now add to that the atmosphere of the Caja Mágica in Madrid and some gastronomic corners that you would love for your wedding.
10th, 11th, 12th & 13thJuly
We continue flying high and we arrive at a very traditional festival, as cool as its name is; Mad Cool. The festival of festivals, Madrid becomes the epicentre of European festivals with this event that gets better and better every year.
Dua Lipa, The Killers, Pearl Jam, Black Pumas, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bomba Estéreo and Avril Lavigne are some of the artists who will be performing at Mad Cool this 2024 at Iberdrola music. A perfect mix of indie, pop and rock in Madrid.
14th July
If you've been thinking about Best Bros Forever as soon as you read the name of the festival, let me tell you something, you need help. You haven't even come close. The Barcelona Beach Festival is coming to Madrid. Yes, to Madrid and without Beach. But it doesn't need to, because with the line-up and the energy they have, they're going to bring the city to a standstill.
Marshmello and Martin Garrix are some of the names on a line-up loaded with the best of Electronic Dance Music, EDM as it is also known. One of the most important events of the year is coming to Madrid and you should be there.
20th & 21st July
The outside of La Caja Mágica is going to bounce. Remember these words because you won't believe it when you see it. In fact, the whole of Madrid is going to vibrate and party with the most outstanding reguetoneros on the music scene.
It's going to get wild at this event that brings together people like Anuel AA, María Becerra, Tainy, El Alfa and a long etcetera that will be discovered little by little in a line-up that will leave you speechless.
From 29th to 31st August
From Lisbon and with the desire to turn Madrid upside down, comes the KALORAMA festival. And it's certainly coming with a line-up featuring the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Peggy Gou, Sam Smith, Massive Attack and many more who will challenge you to try and stop dancing for a moment. Spoiler alert, you won't be able to stop for a single minute at IFEMA.
20th & 21th September
Last but not least on our list, the Brava Madrid Festival is something you haven't experienced before. Unless you went last year, of course. If you went, you know how special it is, and if you've never been, I'll just tell you that it brings together music, fashion, fun and lots of fantasy.
Stop by IFEMA again to see Zara Larsson, Aqua, Nena Daconte, Sopie Ellis-Bextor and Lucie Silvas among many other artists.
After so many concerts and parties, you need to recharge your batteries and get your strength back. The best option for you is Latroupe Prado, the best hostel in Madrid. And it's not just us who say so, but hundreds of people who have been there and come back.
Its location is unbeatable, and that's not just saying it, it's in Paseo de las Delicias, 1, it couldn't be more central. Its facilities are great with a multicultural atmosphere that few places can match.
And, as we know you love music, you're going to love the live music sessions at Café de La Plata. It's not a festival, but it has all the charm of the most personal concerts. What's more, you'll find top-brand drinks and unbeatable value for money.
