Madrid! San Cayetano Festival 2025– Summertime Castiza Celebration

San Cayetano Street Decorations, Madrid

Madrid! San Cayetano Festival 2025 – Summer in the Streets

Every August, Madrid erupts into three festive weeks of vibrant neighborhood celebrations. The trilogy begins with the Fiesta de San Cayetano, where castizo* culture takes the spotlight in the historic Rastro and Embajadores districts.

What does Castizo mean in Madrid?

In Madrid, castizo goes beyond ancestry, it’s a cultural badge of authenticity. The term evokes the traditional spirit and identity of the city, especially its working-class roots from the 17th century onward. Something or someone described as castizo is considered genuinely Madrileño, steeped in local customs, language, and style. 

Official Poster of the Fiestas de Agosto 2025

Why You Should Go

San Cayetano is Madrid’s August Festival warm-up act with heart, a celebration of community, resilience, and joy.

It’s ideal for travelers who want to:

- Experience Madrid’s castizo culture up close  

- Photograph vibrant street scenes and traditional costumes  

- Dance, sing, and sip limonada under lantern-lit balconies  

When and Where?

August 5–8, 2025 (each year in the first full week of August, culminating around the 7th–8th) - Plaza General Vara del Rey, Plaza de Cascorro, Calle Ribera de Curtidores, and Calle del Oso.

Heading to Madrid the following week? We've got you covered! Check out our article about the San Lorenzo Festival in the Lavapiés neighborhood, August 9-12, you can read it here.

Daytime Highlights

- Gigantes y Cabezudos parade (Aug 5)  

- Chotis masterclass (Aug 6)  

- Kids’ workshops & puppet shows (Aug 7–8)  

- Free limonada & live music on Calle del Oso

Nighttime Magic

- Concerts including Azúcar Moreno (Aug 8, 23:00)  

- Zarzuela, flamenco fusion, and DJ sets until 2 AM

Cultural Core

- Mass and flower-filled procession (Aug 7) from San Millán y San Cayetano Church

How do I Get There?

Metro: Embajadores, La Latina  

Cercanías: Embajadores (C5)  

BiciMAD: Cascorro & Curtidores stations

🎉 San Cayetano Festivities: Full Calendar of Events

(Source: https://diario.madrid.es/blog/notas-de-prensa/centro-se-vuelca-con-las-fiestas-en-honor-a-san-cayetano-san-lorenzo-y-la-virgen-de-la-paloma/, downloaded July 29, 2025)

🗓️ TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

• Plaza G.V. de Rey   • 8:00 PM – Castizo Characters Intro • 8–10 PM – Giants & Big-Heads Parade • 8:30 PM – Official Opening Speech (Calle del Oso) • 9:30 PM – Castizo Election • 10:00 PM – ¡Ay San Cayetano! – M. Rodríguez • 11:00 PM – 🎤 Antón Cortés • 12:00 AM – 🎧 DJ Tama

• Calle Ribera de Curtidores, 2   • 7:00 PM – Giant Bubble Show • 10:00 PM – 🎤 Dani Mata • 11:30 PM – 🎧 DJ Lady Tupé

• Plaza Cascorro   • 8:00 PM – Rana Game Championship • 10:00 PM – DJ Workshop

• C/ del Oso   • 9:30 PM – 🍋 Free Lemonade + Music

🗓️ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6

• Plaza G.V. de Rey   • 7:30 PM – Magic Show • 9:00 PM – 🎧 DJ Tama • 10:00 PM – Nunca Es Tarde • 11:00 PM – 🎤 Anabel Lee x Mahou • 12:00 AM – 🎧 DJ Tama

• Plaza Cascorro   • 7:00 PM – Symbolic Bull Run • 10:00 PM – DJ Workshop

• Curtidores, 2   • 10:00 PM – 🎤 Lorca • 11:30 PM – 🎧 DJ Rodri Cervera

• C/ del Oso   • 6:30 PM – Chotis Dance Masterclass • 7:45 PM – 🍋 Free Lemonade

🗓️ THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 (Main Day)

• Plaza G.V. de Rey   • 7:30 PM – Storytelling • 8:00 PM – 🎧 DJ Alberto Hache • 9:30 PM – Estampas de Zarzuela   • 11:00 PM – 🎤 Juan Salazar • 12:30 AM – 🎧 DJ Alberto Hache

• Curtidores, 2   • 8:00 PM – Santa Bailanta • 10:00 PM – “Destino 2025” Winner, Insúa • 12:00 AM – 🎧 DJ Sebas

• Plaza Cascorro   • 1:00 PM – Brass Band Aperitif • 8:00 PM – DJ Workshop

• Encomienda, 18   • 11:30 AM–1:30 PM – 🧒 Kids’ Crafts

• C/ del Oso   • 8:30 PM – 🍋 Free Lemonade

• Acts in Honor of San Cayetano   • 7:00 PM – Mass @ Church of San Millán • 8:00 PM – Procession

🗓️ FRIDAY, AUGUST 8

• Plaza G.V. de Rey   • 7:00 PM – Sing With Us • 8:00 PM – Zarzuela en Femenino   • 9:30 PM – Son del Rastro Sonikete Flamenco • 11:00 PM – 🎤 Azúcar Moreno • 12:00 AM – 🎧 DJ Tama

• Curtidores, 2   • 7:30 PM – Face Painting & Games • 9:00 PM – 🎧 DJ Alberto Hache • 10:30 PM – 🎤 La Madre del Topo • 12:00 AM – 🎧 DJ Alberto Hache

• C/ del Oso & Encomienda, 18   • 7:30 PM & 11:30 AM–1:30 PM – 🧒 Kids’ Workshops 

Closing Thoughts

San Cayetano feels like Madrid’s heartbeat at street level—welcoming, warm, and full of rhythm. It’s not just a fiesta; it’s a neighborhood reclaiming joy through song and dance. If you want authentic Madrid without the crowds of La Paloma, start here.

Have you added this to your Madrid itinerary? What are you looking forward to the most? Drop us a comment to let us know!