The Community of Madrid once again looks at itself in one of the foundational episodes of its history. The feeling of pride and brotherhood that drove the uprising of the people of Madrid against the French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte on May 2, 1808, resurfaces in the capital once again, transformed into a celebration that intertwines historical memory and contemporary culture in an extensive program of free activities. Two centuries after those events, the commemoration unfolds as a cultural agenda that occupies squares, theaters, museums, and open-air stages, turning the city—and much of the region—into a large festive space open to all audiences.
The musical programming kicks off on Thursday, April 30 with performances by Berkana and Los Seminuevos at 8 p.m., followed by Lobos Negros, a long-standing band in Spanish rockabilly, at 9:30 p.m. This is the first stop of a lineup that aims to open the festivities with powerful sounds and live energy. Friday, May 1 will mark the start of the major events of the holiday weekend with the traditional Zarzuela Gala by the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid, a concert that will review some of the most emblematic titles of the genre, such as El barberillo de Lavapiés, La verbena de La Paloma, or El año pasado por agua. Later, the stage opens to contemporary pop with Bely Basarte, one of the most recognizable voices on the national scene. The night continues with Judeline, an emerging figure in alternative pop who has gained prominence for her mix of electronic, roots, and sound experimentation.
Saturday, May 2 features some of the most anticipated concerts. At 7:30 p.m., the singer-songwriter from Murcia, Joseluis, representative of the new independent scene, performs before the main act of the day: Alcalá Norte—at 9:30 p.m.—a Madrid-based alternative rock band that has established itself as one of the most unique proposals in the recent scene, with a sound that draws from post-punk and the urban tradition of the capital. The musical closing comes on Sunday, May 3 with more festive and choral proposals, such as the National Folklore Meeting or the rondallas.
Alongside the main stages, music spreads throughout the region with the initiative Music in the Air, a program of simultaneous concerts by music bands that brings traditional repertoire to squares and public spaces in various municipalities on May 2 at 12:00 p.m. Seven groups headline this edition in locations such as the Plaza de la Constitución in Galapagar, the Plaza Mayor in Morata de Tajuña, the Senior Center in Moratalaz, the Plaza de la Guardia Civil in Parla, the Plaza Real in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, the Cristo Park in Valdemoro, and the Plaza del Pradillo in Villarejo de Salvanés. A choral format that highlights the decentralized nature of the celebration and the prominence of bands as a cultural fabric of the region.
But May 2 also coexists with other traditions that mark the beginning of spring. This is the case of the Fiesta de las Mayas y los Mayos, a celebration declared a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC) that takes place in various municipalities of the Community of Madrid. This tradition consists of the selection of a “maya,” usually a girl or young woman, who presides over an altar decorated with flowers and plant elements as a symbol of the arrival of spring. Around her, the “mayos” are performed, popular songs of a ritual and festive nature passed down from generation to generation. The celebration takes place in towns such as El Molar or Colmenar Viejo, among others, and maintains a strong community and symbolic component linked to rural popular culture in Madrid.
The commemoration of May 2 is also a staging of the past in the urban space. The historical reenactment of the 1808 uprising takes place as a tour through several emblematic points in central Madrid. Puerta del Sol hosts scenes such as the episode of “¡Que se los llevan!” while Plaza de Oriente, with privileged views of the Royal Palace, recreates the tension between the Madrid population and the French troops. The itinerary continues along Alcalá Street, turned into a parade axis and movement route for the reenactment groups, culminating at the Puente del Rey esplanade, where the defense of the Monteleón Artillery Park is represented, one of the most symbolic moments of the uprising.
The big novelty of this edition is the nighttime drone show in the Cuña Verde park of Latina, where a swarm of aircraft will light up the Madrid sky with a choreography of light and sound under the title Madrid in the Sky, a show that adds a technological nuance to the historical commemoration.
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Puente del Rey Esplanade
Activities at the Puente del Rey esplanade on April 30, May 1 and 2. Free entry until full capacity.
Thursday, April 30
- Concert by Berkana and Los Seminuevos – 8 p.m.
- Concert by Lobos Negros – 9:30 p.m.
Friday, May 1
- Zarzuela Gala by the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid – 12:30 p.m.
- Concert by Bely Basarte – 7:30 p.m.
- Concert by Judeline – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
- Zarzuela Gala by the Orchestra and Choir of the Community of Madrid – 12:30 p.m.
- Concert by Bely Basarte – 7:30 p.m.
- Concert by Judeline – 9:30 p.m.
- Arrabel – 5:30 p.m.
Santander Park
Activities at Santander Park on May 2. Free entry until full capacity.
Saturday, May 2
- “Lo nuestro” by the Francisco de Goya Choirs and Dances Association – 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
- Concert by Bely Basarte – 7:30 p.m.
- Arrabel – 1 p.m.
Music in the Air
Program of music band concerts in municipalities of the Community of Madrid. Free activity with open access until full capacity at:
Saturday, May 2
- Galapagar, at Plaza de la Constitución – 12 p.m.
- Morata de Tajuña, at Plaza Mayor – 12 p.m.
- Moratalaz, at the Senior Center – 12 p.m.
- Parla, at Plaza de la Guardia Civil – 12 p.m.
- San Martín de Valdeiglesias, at Plaza Real – 12 p.m.
- Valdemoro, at Cristo Park – 12 p.m.
- Villarejo de Salvanés, at Plaza del Pradillo – 12 p.m.
Fiesta de las Mayas y los Mayos
Program of the Fiesta de las Mayas y los Mayos. Free activity with open access until full capacity at:
Thursday, April 30
- Belmonte de Tajo, at the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella – 11 p.m.
- Brea de Tajo, at the Church of the Assumption of Nuestra Señora – 12 a.m.
- Estremera, at the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios – 11:45 p.m.
- Fuente el Saz de Jarama – 6 p.m. and 12 a.m.
- Fuentidueña de Tajo, at the Church of San Andrés Apóstol – 12 a.m.
- Orusco de Tajuña, at Felipe Rivas Park – 5 p.m.
Friday, May 1
- Brea de Tajo, at the Church of the Assumption of Nuestra Señora – 12 a.m.
- El Molar, at Plaza Mayor – 11 a.m.
- Fuentidueña de Tajo, at the Church of San Andrés Apóstol – 5 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Saturday, May 2
- Colmenar Viejo, at Plaza del Pueblo – 12 p.m.
- Pezuela de las Torres – 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 3
- Pezuela de las Torres – 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Las Ventas Bullring
Traditional Goyesca bullfight on May 2, at Calle de Alcalá 237 – 6:30 p.m.
[You can check the complete program of the May 2 Community of Madrid Day Festivities at this link]