This week in Madrid was dominated by countdown chatter for next Tuesday's near-total solar eclipse, along with the tail end of Lavapiés's summer verbena season as San Cayetano gave way to San Lorenzo. Attention was already turning toward September too, with ticket sales opening for Fashion Week, SIX the Musical, a Harry Potter pop up and a new immersive Odyssey exhibition, while fresh figures showed Pride and a record June both pumping money into the city's tourism economy.
The Week's Biggest Stories
Partial solar eclipse hits Madrid on August 12
On August 12, a total solar eclipse will cross parts of Spain for the first time since 1905, and Madrid will see a partial eclipse covering nearly all of the sun. Viewpoints such as La Gavia are being set up for public viewing, and eye doctors are reminding residents that looking at the sun without certified eclipse glasses can cause permanent retinal damage.
Lavapiés runs back to back summer festivals
Lavapiés is in the middle of its summer verbena season, with San Cayetano running August 4 to 7 and San Lorenzo following straight after, August 8 to 11. Both bring free concerts, traditional performances and street parties around Plaza del General Vara de Rey and the surrounding streets, with acts including Soleá Morente, RATA and La Penúltima Sabinera.
Madrid Pride 2026 spending hit 1.12 billion euros
A new report values the economic impact of this year's Madrid Pride at €1.12 billion in visitor spending. Visitors from Ireland and the United States were among the highest spenders, underlining how much weight the summer events calendar now carries for the city's tourism economy.
Madrid posts its busiest June for tourism on record
Madrid recorded its highest June visitor numbers on record, with international arrivals up 13.9 percent compared with June 2025. City officials point to a packed events calendar, including major concerts and the Pope's visit, as the main drivers behind the increase.
Free Harry Potter event lands on Gran Vía
A free Harry Potter themed installation opens on Gran Vía from August 28 to September 3, marking 25 years since the book series began. Entry is free but requires a timed ticket, and organizers expect the limited slots to fill quickly.
Madrid Fashion Week returns on September 7
Madrid's Fashion Week is set to start on September 7, with more than 60 designers presenting collections across the city. It is one of the larger fixtures on the capital's autumn cultural calendar.
SIX the Musical opens in Madrid in September
SIX the Musical, based on the story of Henry VIII's six wives, opens in Madrid from September 12 to November 8, with tickets starting at €25. It joins a busy autumn lineup of touring stage productions in the city.
Immersive Odyssey exhibition opens at Matadero in September
A new immersive exhibition based on Homer's Odyssey, called La Odisea, opens September 18 at Matadero Madrid. It uses interactive elements and projected visuals to stage Odysseus's journey, and discounted tickets are already on sale ahead of the opening.
How this page works: it is a weekly snapshot, refreshed every Monday, of what our daily newsletter covered. Summaries are condensed and details can change after publication, so double-check dates and official announcements before planning around them.
This page updates weekly. Your inbox can update daily.
Madrid Expat Daily is a free 5-minute daily email with Madrid's local news, events and deadlines in plain English, written for people building a life here.
What's On in Madrid This Week
13:00; 18:00 · Planetario de Madrid, Parque Enrique Tierno Galván
18:00 - 20:00 · Centro Cultural La Posada
19:00 · Iglesia de San Lorenzo, calle del Dr. Piga
21:30 · plaza de Arturo Barea · Free
10:00 - 12:00; 17:00 - 19:00 · Parque de Rebeca Bartolomé
These are 5 picks from the 60+ events we are tracking in Madrid this week, and new ones are added every day. Pro members get the full calendar in our app; the free daily email flags the highlights.
Previous Weeks
Daily Madrid news in English. Free.
Join 1,300+ expats. Every day: a 5-minute summary of Madrid news, free events, deadlines and local recommendations.