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Holy Week in Madrid
27 March to 5 April
Madrid in April: 10 Unmissable Events
This is a vibrant and diverse guide to April in Madrid. To ensure your English-speaking readers get the most out of these 2026 events, I have translated the text into British English, maintaining the specific HTML structure and card formatting. Headline: Madrid in April: 10 Unmissable Events from Holy Week to Rosalía and the Mutua Madrid Open Sub-headline: From ancient religious processions and classical concerts to the world of Stranger Things and elite tennis—here is your ultimate guide to the Spanish capital this month.
This April, residents of Madrid and its surrounding areas can look forward to a wealth of musical, theatrical, literary, and even sporting events. La Cotorra highlights the best places to visit in the Spanish capital and the events you simply cannot afford to miss.
From Good Friday to Easter Sunday, thousands will flock to the city to take part in the numerous processions winding through the streets of Madrid. These take place daily, with locals donning traditional robes and pointed hoods (capirotes) to accompany the pasos—religious floats bearing statues of saints—to the sound of solemn music.
1 April marks Holy Wednesday, the day Judas is traditionally said to have resolved to betray Jesus. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, while Good Friday is the day of silent processions, observed in mourning without musical accompaniment. 3 April is an official public holiday.
To conclude Holy Week on Easter Sunday, the traditional Aragonese drum parade (Tamborrada) will take place, ending at Plaza Mayor to symbolise the end of the passion.
Spanish sensation Rosalía has embarked on her "Lux Tour 2026", supporting her latest album released last year. Following opening shows in France, her Spanish dates include major stops in Madrid and Barcelona.
Footage from her first shows has already gone viral, featuring Rosalía performing en pointe in a full ballet tutu. Since her breakthrough single Malamente, she has become the first Spanish artist nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy, featured on the Forbes list of most influential Spanish women, and appeared in the latest season of Euphoria.
While tickets for the Madrid dates are currently sold out, fans are encouraged to check official platforms for returns. It is strongly advised to avoid unofficial resellers.
In early April, the cast of Stranger Things will descend upon Madrid for a weekend. Fans will have the chance to gather at IFEMA, one of Europe’s largest exhibition complexes, to meet the stars of the hit series.
Depending on the ticket type, visitors can enjoy photo sessions, take selfies, get autographs, or engage in Q&A sessions. Some ticket tiers are already sold out, but a waiting list is available.
Expected guests include Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Dacre Montgomery, Cara Buono, Raphael Luce, and Nell Fisher.
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Eva Gevorgyan Classical Concert
The Russian-Armenian pianist and composer Eva Gevorgyan, an alumna of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid, returns to the capital for a solo recital. The programme features works by César Franck, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Franz Liszt.
Gevorgyan has performed at major festivals across Switzerland, Poland, France, Germany, and Italy. She has collaborated with world-class ensembles including the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, performing under conductors such as Valery Gergiev and Vladimir Spivakov.
Azari Plisetsky is a renowned ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer, representing the legendary Plisetsky-Messerer theatrical dynasty. As the younger brother of the world-famous Maya Plisetskaya, he has been a partner to many iconic prima ballerinas and a witness to the key cultural events of the 20th century, including the founding of classical ballet in Cuba.
At this event, Plisetsky will screen a documentary film featuring footage from his travels and present his book, Maya’s Century, released for his sister's centenary. He will share anecdotes about Spanish ballet, his work with Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, and his meetings with the Kennedys.
The Sesión Vermú festival returns to the suburbs and towns surrounding Madrid. The programme features 83 live concerts across 24 locations, including Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, and Chinchón. All locations are accessible via bus or Metro.
The festival aims to support artists and bring culture to the wider Madrid province. Best of all, every concert is completely free. The line-up includes established local names and rising stars such as Hinds, La Paloma, Las Petunias, Repion, and Triángulo de Amor Bizarro.
April sees the return of the prestigious Mutua Madrid Open. World-class tennis stars will compete on the clay courts of the Caja Mágica. The men’s ATP Masters 1000 and women’s WTA 1000 events feature 96 singles players and 32 doubles pairs.
While the full schedule is yet to be finalised, regulars include Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff. This year, the tournament is also installing clay courts at the Bernabéu Stadium for open training sessions between 23 and 30 April. Ticket prices range from a few dozen euros to over five thousand for VIP access.
The legendary Valery Meladze returns to Madrid with a new programme featuring both classic hits and fresh compositions. Known for his powerful vocals and sold-out shows, Meladze’s European tour also includes dates in Barcelona (21 April) and Alicante (24 April). Tickets are currently available starting from €59.
This unique performance blends classical ballet—tutus, pointes, and elegant choreography—with a modern light show created by illuminated costumes. Created by María Farelo and Cristian Pérez of Luma Artistas S.L., six dancers bring the fairy tale to life in a magical fusion of dance and technology.
Remaining tickets for both sessions are available at €24 for seats with a restricted view.
Since 1997, the Círculo de Bellas Artes has hosted a continuous public reading of Cervantes' masterpiece. Literary enthusiasts join cultural figures and Cervantes Prize winners to read "Don Quixote" aloud over several days. The event is accompanied by workshops, lectures, and activities for all ages.
Participation is free upon registration via the website, though visitors should note the reading is conducted entirely in Spanish.
