Madrid | Issue #157
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đď¸ While the rest of The Bubble Newsletterâs team is out of office this month, this weekend guide will continue to reach your inbox every Friday.
Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Itâs Friday again!
And I have great news: The city has shaken off its peaceful slumber and come alive this weekend to reaffirm its Christian traditions by honoring the Virgin of La Paloma with endless beers, tinto de verano, and questionable, greasy pizza at 4 a.m.
So come to La Latina this weekend for some drunken shenanigans. Who knows⌠You may even run into me there! (If you do, please say hello).
And one more reminder about our podcast. Weâre taking a break this month, but weâre back in September. In the meantime, in our latest episode we discuss what it really means to belong in Spain today and explore one of the countryâs biggest identity debates, alongside Swedenâs ambassador to Spain and writer Elizabeth Duval.
Happy weekend!
1. đ Verbena de la Paloma: Madridâs biggest summer street party takes over La Latina
If you only do one thing this weekend, make it the Verbenas (street parties) de la Virgen de la Paloma. If you thought last weekend was crazy, get ready for this one, because these verbenas, which kicked off last night, are Madridâs biggest and most beloved summer celebration, the grand finale of the cityâs traditional August parties.
The streets of La Latina, Las Vistillas, and Plaza de la Paja transform into one giant open-air party for four days, where tradition and nightlife collide, and the streets are decorated with colorful lanterns and drunk people.
There will be locals dressed as chulapos and chulapas and couples dancing the chotis, as well as brass bands and organ grinders while people sip chilled tinto de verano from cheap plastic cups.
Still want more? There will also be limonada (aka lemonade spiked with white wine), food stalls, neighborhood competitions, and free concerts that keep the party going until the early hours.
Friday is arguably the liveliest night to join the celebrations. Head to Las Vistillas for Regreso a los 80, featuring Los Refrescos, Modestia Aparte and Fernandisco, while Plaza de la Paja hosts a â90s party.
More fun before the music starts! The neighborhood fills with wonderfully eccentric traditions, from waiter races (fun!) and high-heel races (dangerous and fun!) to chotis dancers, and pasodoble competitions.
The highlight comes Saturday, when Madrid celebrates the day of the Virgin of the Dove, the âpopularâ patron of the city (not the same as a patron saint).
For devout Catholics: The dayâs events begin at the Church of the Virgin of the Dove with floral offerings and a solemn Mass before one of the cityâs most emotional traditions: Madridâs firefighters bring down the Virginâs iconic portrait from inside the church, after which thousands of people accompany the procession through the streets of La Latina.
For devout heretics: Once the procession ends, the party shifts back into full swing and the neighborhood goes from holy mass to unholy mess. DePol headlines the main stage at Las Vistillas, while Plaza de la Paja hosts DJs, traditional performances, family activities, and plenty of opportunities to embrace your inner castizo.
The celebrations continue on Sunday (of course), closing with another packed day of festivities, including a free concert by indie-pop favorites Miss Caffeina, live music on multiple stages, vermut, limonada, neighborhood games, and some weird competitionsâfrom drinking out of a botijo to the classic porrĂłn challenge.
You may be stuck here, but it doesnât mean you canât have the time of your life.
đĽď¸ What: Verbenas de la Virgen de la Paloma
đ Where: La Latina, Plaza de la Paja, Calle de la Paloma and Jardines de las Vistillas
đ When: Aug. 13â16 (main procession on Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.)
đ Tickets: Free admission
2. đľđš Teresinha Landeiro: Portugal's most beautiful soundtrack comes to the city
While much of the city will be drinking dancing in the streets this weekend, Veranos de la Villa is offering something altogether different: an intimate evening of Portuguese fado with one of the genreâs brightest new voices, Teresinha Landeiro.
Landeiro at just 30 has become one of the leading figures of a new generation of fado artists, blending the melancholy and storytelling that define Portugalâs national music with subtle contemporary influences.
The concert takes place in the beautiful Cloister of the Well at the historic San Isidro Institute, an atmospheric setting that feels tailor-made for the emotional intensity of fado.
Even if youâve never listened to fado (Portugal's traditional music), this is the kind of performance that can win you over.
đĽď¸ What: Teresinha Landeiro live
đ Where: Claustro del Pozo, Instituto San Isidro, Calle de Toledo 39, Madrid
đ When: Aug. 14, 9 p.m.
đ Tickets: âŹ15
3.đŚ One of Casa de Campoâs greatest hidden treasures is its wildlife. Go stalk it.
Just a few minutes from the city center, thereâs Casa de Campo, Madridâs other park that you never go to because Retiro is classier and full of rich, hot people. However, did you know that Casa de Campo is home to dozens of bird species that many people walk past without ever noticing? (Of course you didnât)
Great if youâre hungover. This guided birdwatching tour is a fantastic opportunity to slow down, unplug, and discover a completely different side of the city. So grab a Red Bull, your favorite sunglasses, put your phone on DND, and get ready for the kind of morning you thought youâd be experiencing in your 80s.
Over the course of a leisurely 2.5-hour walk, participants will explore the parkâs diverse ecosystems (from wooded areas to lakeshores) while learning to identify birds of prey, woodland birds, and aquatic species through direct observation.
August is an interesting time for birdwatching, as some species are year-round residents while others are only passing through during the season.
The activity is led by guides from Casa de Campoâs Environmental Information Center, who will explain not only how to spot different birds, but also why this vast green space plays such an important role in Madridâs biodiversity.
If you own a pair of binoculars (lol, you donât), youâre encouraged to bring them, though theyâre not essential to enjoy the experience.
So yeah, all your friends may be in Mallorca, Marbella, Mykonos, Ibiza, Sicily, Bodrum, San SebastiĂĄn, Tuscany, Santorini, the French Riviera, Bali, Cozumel, Miami, the Bahamas, Malta, Croatia or Albania, but at least youâre watching birds in Madrid on a scorching Sunday morning while hungover. Congrats.
đĽď¸ What: Guided Birdwatching Walk at Casa de Campo
đ Where: Casa de Campo Environmental Information & Education Center (here)
đ When: Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m. (good luck if youâre hungover)
đ Tickets: Free, but advance registration by email is required.
4. 𩰠Billy Elliot: Because thereâs always a good reason to watch this great film again
Fun fact: In Spain, the movie Billy Elliot is called âI want to danceâ. Honestly, itâs not the worst adaptation of a movie title (that dubious honor goes to Die Hard, which in Spain is called Crystal Jungle).
Anyway, itâs been more than 25 years since Billy Elliot hit theaters, and this beloved British classic remains just as funny, moving and relevant as ever.
Set against the
depressingbackdrop of the 1984 U.K. minersâ strike, it tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who discovers a passion for ballet, challenging stereotypes and expectations along the way.Itâs a heartwarming reminder of the importance of self-expression, acceptance and finding the courage to follow your own path. Pretty much like Star Wars, but without light sabers. â¤ď¸
This special screening is part of an inclusive cinema series that pairs each film with a discussion right before the movie led by occupational therapists, exploring themes such as mental health, disability, neurodiversity and social inclusion.
The venue, CondeDuque, offers accessibility features including hearing loop technology, amplified sound and adapted access, making it a thoughtful and welcoming experience for all. Oh, and before you ask, CondeDuque says the movie is subtitled. So even if you canât understand Spanish, you get to practice thanks to the subtitles.
đĽď¸ What: Billy Elliot - Inclusive Cinema Series
đ Where: Centro Cultural CondeDuque, Calle de Conde Duque 9, Madrid
đ When: Aug. 15 (Discussion at 8 p.m.; screening at 8:30 p.m.)
đ Tickets: Free but seats are limited. Get there on time.
5.đ Venus & Cupid: Ever wondered what goes into restoring a 400-year-old masterpiece? (Probably not).
Listen up, losers! If youâre tired of those damn dating apps (polls say you are), then this is a great chance to ditch Tinder, Grindr, and the rest of the digital world and go back to the analog, OG way of meeting people: praying to Venus, the goddess of love, for sex âlegitimate emotional connectionâ. Or to Cupid, the androgynous cherub that always looks like a 5-year-old girl that just entered a beauty pageant in Nashville.
But I digress. The Thyssen Museum is giving visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking work of art conservation with a special exhibition dedicated to the restoration of Peter Paul Rubensâ Venus and Cupid. (Not to be confused with Paul Reubens, the guy who played Pee Wee Herman).
Rather than simply displaying the finished painting, the museum walks visitors through the technical study, scientific analysis, and restoration process that brought the artwork back to life.
The project reveals how conservators uncovered the original colors, depth and perspective that had been hidden beneath centuries of aged varnish, while also shedding light on Rubensâ painting techniques and materials.
Anyway⌠Itâs a great opportunity to see not just the finished masterpiece, but the invisible work that preserves it for future generations.
đĽď¸ What: The Restoration of Rubensâ Venus and Cupid
đ Where: Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza (Room 19)
đ When: Through Sept. 13
đ Tickets: âŹ7
đş What to watch if you donât want to leave the couch this weekendâŚ
đş Movie: All that we never were (Todo lo que nunca fuimos) | 2026
đWhere to watch: HBO Max
âWhatâs it about: After losing her parents, aspiring painter Leah struggles to cope. When her brother moves away, he asks his best friend Axel to look after her, unaware of her longtime feelings for him.
𤊠Why you should watch: Because Maxi Iglesias is in it. Because if you're in the mood for a sweeping rom-dram (thatâs a thing), this movie delivers exactly that, pairing two charismatic leads with an emotional story about grief, healing, and unexpected love.
đŹ English Subtitles: No.
đş TV Series: The Tribute (El Homenaje) | 2026
đWhere to watch: Amazon Prime & SkyShowtime
âWhatâs it about: At his 80th birthday party, powerful patriarch Adolfo Novak gathers family and friends. Behind smiles lie decades of secrets, betrayals, and vengeance. The evening explodes, revealing a truth more shocking than anyone suspected.
𤊠Why you should watch: Because Manu RĂos is in it. Because itâs perfect if you love family sagas packed with secrets, betrayals, and shifting loyalties. The show blends the intrigue of The Godfather with the mystery of an Agatha Christie whodunit, making it an easy binge for fans of character-driven thrillers.
đŹ English Subtitles: Yes.
đđť Places to try this weekendâŚ
đ˝ď¸ Armando: There's comfort food, and then there's the kind of comfort food that deserves its own restaurant.
Whatâs it about: Take one of Spain's greatest breaded cutlets (escalope), fry it to golden perfection, and let diners build their dream combination with indulgent toppings like truffle eggs, melted raclette, steak tartare, or even macaroni with chorizo.
Why you should go: Because there's no pretension, no reservations, and no complicated menuâjust a lively, retro-inspired space where everything revolves around sharing good food with friends.
Bottom line: Armando delivers exactly what it promises (an iconic escalope, playful comfort food, and a meal that's impossible not to enjoy).
Address: Calle Carranza, 9, Madrid
đŚ La Romana: When the summer heat becomes unbearable, there's one place we keep coming back to.
Whatâs it about: Founded in Rimini, Italy, in 1947, Gelateria La Romana has built a loyal following thanks to its traditional, small-batch gelato made with high-quality ingredients and recipes that have stood the test of time.
Why you should go: Because nearly 80 years later, it remains one of the best places in Madrid for authentic Italian ice cream. Part of the fun is choosing from its huge selection of flavors, from timeless classics like pistachio and hazelnut to seasonal creations.
Bottom line: There are plenty of ice cream shops in Madrid, but few are as consistently excellent as La Romana.
Address: Multiple locations around Madrid (and Spain)
đ¨đťâđť Viral Memes of the Week
đ
If plush tiger not friend, why friend-shaped?
đđ The sun and moon during this weekâs eclipse
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"One day youâre clubbing, and the next day youâre an old lady watching birds."
Literally the story of my life