đ What's on in Madrid: April 2
Jesus returns this weekend to either enact revenge on humanity or feed us chocolate eggs.
Madrid | Issue #139
đȘđž The Bubble is Spain's #1 English-language, bestselling newsletter. We offer paid subscriptions, and weâd be thrilled to have your support!
Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Wait, what? Did we skip an issue? Is today Friday? Have you been subjected to an unscheduled time jump?
None of the above! You see, itâs the Semana Santa holiday, so weâve combined the Thursday news edition with the Friday what-to-do one because, letâs be honest, pretty much everyone in Spain has checked out (yes, even our God-fearing politicians).
Still, because we love you, weâve made a quick summary of some of the things that happened in Spain this week, and that pretty much no one cared about (at least until next week).
When Spain closed its airspace to American flights involved in its war in Iran, we got all sorts of excited and thought we should write the full newsletter because THE WORLD WAS ABOUT TO END. But with coverage outside of Spain being, like, a 243-word article in Bloomberg and a veiled threat from a U.S. Congressman weâd never heard of that Spain could lose Ceuta and Melilla (a la âThose are nice territories you have there. It would be a shame if something happened to them.â), we figured maybe we were overdoing it. Marco Rubio also complained about Spain âbraggingâ about cutting off its airspace, but everyone was already on their way to Granada or the Canary Islands for the week, so no one cared.
And then there was the hat. Pedro SĂĄnchez went mountain biking after filming himself with a âMake Science Great Againâ hat trolling the Orange Menace, so we suppose he wasnât too worried about Ceuta (or Melilla).
But RosalĂa! Rosi is back on tour for eight nights in Madrid, and everyone says itâs amaze-balls. El PaĂs saw the show on âHoly Monday, which we experienced in gloryâ; El Confidential spoke of âtears and euphoriaâ; El Español said Rosi âconqueredâ Madrid with her âthousand faces: from mysticism to rave, from opera to saeta.â; and Telva noted her artistic shoutouts, from the Mona Lisa to Goyaâs Black Paintings to Madonnaâs pointy bars. (Editorâs note: Adrian saw her yesterday and was blown away by her; Ian saw the Motomami tour in 2022 and blessed it as very, very good.)
Spanish home prices are up 14.3% in ONE YEAR. Not much else to say about that except, jeez.
And not only did former Public Works Minister JosĂ© Luis Ăbalos meet one of his girlfriends, JĂ©sica RodrĂguez, in the Atocha apartment that was rented for âa party with ladiesâ in 2018, but she also filmed a video to celebrate his 60th birthday the next year in that very apartment. âIt was here,â she said. Really, nothing more to say about that.
More news next week. For now, letâs get onto the fun, what-to-do stuff below. Enjoy the long weekend, and weâll see you on the heretical side.
1. âȘïž Madrid goes even more Catholic for Holy Week weekend (Part 2)
Wherever we say Jesuspalooza: Part 2 - Jesus Lives, we canât help but think of this Friday the 13th movie poster. Itâs disrespectful, so letâs move on.
Thought it was over? Think again! Last week was just a preview; this long weekend is the main feature. There are more processions, more saetas, and a now-classic giant tamborrada (see video above) on Sunday at the Plaza Mayor that we recommend you donât miss.
The official Semana Santa program we shared last week is still good (you can download it here), so hereâs a quick guide to what you can do this weekend if you want to cosplay devoteness:
Paschal Triduum. For those of you non-Latin speakers who think this is some sort of Belgian tooth paste, let us remind you that the Triduo Pascual is the period that starts with the liturgy on the evening of Maundy Thursday (aka tonight), reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil (aka Saturday night), and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday (aka Sunday night). Yeah, thatâs pretty much the whole weekend.
Processions: Yes, they are still happening. And yes, the guys who look like the KKK are still stalking the streets of Madrid, so tread carefully. (
Remember to check the official program to see their routes and start times.
Maundy Thursday (today):
El Divino Cautivo
Nuestro Padre JesĂșs del Gran Poder y MarĂa SantĂsima de la Esperanza Macarena
Nuestro Padre JesĂșs Nazareno âEl Pobreâ y MarĂa SantĂsima del Dulce Nombre en su Soledad
JesĂșs Nazareno y SantĂsima Virgen de la Soledad (Villaverde)
Good Friday:
Santo Entierro y SantĂsima Virgen de la Soledad (Villaverde Alto)
El Divino Cautivo (leaves from the Almudena Cathedral)
JesĂșs Nazareno de Medinaceli
SantĂsimo Cristo de los Alabarderos
MarĂa SantĂsima de los Siete Dolores
Santo Entierro (Parroquia de Santa Cruz)
ProcesiĂłn del Silencio (Carabanchel)
Stations of the Cross at Retiro Park (not a procession but still cool)
Holy Saturday:
ProcesiĂłn de la Soledad y Desamparo
Saetas: People are still singing these Andalusian religious songs from the balconies, and yes, you can go see them.
Maundy Thursday:
6:30 PM â Ismael de la Rosa, Casa de la Villa (Plaza de la Villa)
9:15 PM â Saray Muñoz, Hotel Moderno (Calle del Arenal 2)
9:30 PM â Ismael de la Rosa, Real Casa de Correos (Puerta del Sol)
Good Friday:
9:00 PM â JosĂ© Fernando Caballo, Casa de la Villa (Plaza de la Villa)
9:15 PM â Fernando Caballo, Casa de la Villa (Plaza de la Villa)
9:50 PM â JosĂ© âEl Berenjenoâ, ConsejerĂa de Medio Ambiente (Calle AlcalĂĄ, 16)
10:15 PM â LucĂa BeltrĂĄn, Real Casa de Correos (Puerta del Sol)
Holy Saturday:
6:30 PM â LucĂa BeltrĂĄn, Casa de la Villa (Plaza de la Villa)
Tamborrada: This show is how Madrid closes Semana Santa, but instead of silence and slow processions, it ends with noise. Lots of it.
Organized by the Real e Ilustre CongregaciĂłn de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad y Desamparo, and performed by the CofradĂa de la ExaltaciĂłn de la Santa Cruz de Zaragoza, it takes place on Easter Sunday and basically flips the mood of the entire week.
After days of solemnity, mourning, and heavy symbolism, the city suddenly fills with drums, loud, rhythmic, impossible to ignore. Itâs less about reflection and more about release.
The drummers parade through the city in a kind of controlled chaos, turning the Plaza Mayor into a full-on soundscape. Itâs a moment thatâs less about watching and more about feeling the city vibrate.
Ruta Dulces Pasiones de Semana Santa: The Ruta Dulces Pasiones 2026 food route turns the city into a full-blown tribute to the torrija, with bakeries, pastry shops, and restaurants offering everything from the classic version (milk-soaked, fried, and drenched in sugar or honey) to more experimental takes. Click on that link for a list of all participating bakeries and cafes in Madrid.
If youâre wondering what to eat besides torrijas to follow tradition, make sure you try Soldaditos de Pavia (an Andalusian tapa thatâs fried cod wrapped in a slice of roasted red pepper), potaje de vigilia (a stew made with chickpeas, spinach, and cod, cooked slowly), and (of course), chocolate Easter eggs.
Have a blessed weekend!
2. đ· Before Instagram, there was Oriol Maspons, and Madrid is bringing him back
This one is for people who like culture and photography (so, hopefully, you?).
At the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid is hosting a retrospective of Oriol Maspons, one of the photographers who basically helped Spain figure out how to look at itself in the second half of the 20th century (aka the Franco era), in a sharp, ironic, very human one.
Maspons moved effortlessly between worlds: fashion, street photography, portraiture, and editorial work. One day he was capturing everyday life, the next heâs shooting for major magazines, and somehow it all feels part of the same visual language. His style is direct, sometimes playful, sometimes brutally honest, but always intentional.
This is also not your typical âwalk around quietly and pretend you understand everythingâ exhibition. His work is accessible, and you donât need a degree in photography to get it. You just need eyesâand maybe a bit of curiosity about how Spain changed, culturally and socially, during those decades.
This is basically a masterclass in visual storytelling
đ„ïž What: Oriol Maspons Photo Exhibit
đ Where: Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Calle de AlcalĂĄ 13, Madrid
đ When: Through June 14
đ Tickets start at âŹ10
3. đŸ Thereâs a Stranger Things reunion happening this weekend in Madrid, and yes, you can meet the cast
If Semana Santa isnât exactly your thing (or youâd rather swap incense for the Upside Down), we have options.
Stranger Fan Meet lands at IFEMA this weekend, bringing a solid chunk of the Stranger Things cast to the city. Weâre talking Noah Schnapp (Will), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Dacre Montgomery (Billy), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), and more, all in one place, ready to meet fans who are still not over the fact that the
finale suckedshow is actually over.The whole thing is exactly what you think it is: Q&As, autographs, photos with the actors, and a lot of people who know way too much about Hawkins. You can lean into it as much as you want (from casual curiosity to full fan mode), and yes, there will absolutely be people dressed like Eleven.
Itâs chaotic, a bit intense, and very fan-driven, but thatâs also the point. If you grew up with the show (or binged it in one weekend like a normal person), this is basically your chance to step inside that universe, minus the demogorgons.
đ„ïž What: Stranger Fan Meet 9 â The Tour
đ Where: IFEMA Madrid (Hall 5), Avenida del PartenĂłn 5, Madrid
đ When: April 4â5
đ Tickets start at âŹ69
4. đ Bergman, but make it local: a quietly brutal theatre experience at Teatro Español
If your idea of a good night out involves zero small talk and a mild existential crisis, this oneâs for you. The Teatro Español is staging a Bergman adaptation directed by Ernesto Caballero, which already tells you the vibe: intense, intimate, and not exactly light entertainment.
The play unfolds in an empty theatre, where a veteran director starts reflecting on his life, his work, and, inevitably, the messy overlap between the two. Then a young actress walks in, and what starts as a casual conversation slowly turns into something much sharper.
What follows is less âplotâ and more emotional excavation. Old relationships resurface, including a complicated connection with a former actress who links both characters in ways that are⊠not simple. Thereâs tension, resentment, admiration, and that very Bergman-esque obsession with how art and life blur into each other until you canât really separate them anymore.
Itâs the kind of play where not much happens, but everything matters. If youâre into theatre that leans psychological, uncomfortable, and very human, this will land. If youâre looking for something easy⊠maybe stick to Stranger Things.
đ„ïž What: Ingmar Bergmanâs After the Rehearsal
đ Where: Teatro Español (Sala Margarita Xirgu), Calle del PrĂncipe 25, Madrid
đ When: April 4 â May 17
đ Tickets start at âŹ18
5. đ Corsets, drama, and designers: what happens when Balenciaga meets the 19th century
Yes, Fashion Week may be over, but if youâre still interested in the subject matter, hereâs a chance to time-travel to the 19th century and lean into some different outfits.
The Museo del Romanticismo is hosting an exhibition that reimagines romantic-era fashion through the lens of modern designers like Balenciaga, Pertegaz, and Pedro RodrĂguez.
There are dramatic silhouettes, historical references, and a lot of fabric, all curated by people who know how to make it look good in 2026.
The interesting part is how itâs set up: these pieces donât just sit there looking pretty; theyâre placed in dialogue with the museumâs permanent collection, which makes the whole thing feel less like a fashion exhibit and more like a conversation across centuries.
You also get original sketches and designs from Pedro RodrĂguez, which adds a nice behind-the-scenes layer to all the glamour.
And if youâre the kind of person who likes a bit of context (or just wants to sound smart later), there are guided visits, workshops, and talks to go with it.
đ„ïž What: Ecos de la moda romĂĄntica Exhibit
đ Where: Museo del Romanticismo, Calle de San Mateo 13, Madrid
đ When: Through June 7
đ Tickets start at âŹ3
đș What to watch if youâre staying in this weekendâŠ
đ„ïž What: If itâs Tuesday, itâs Murder (Si es martes, es asesinato) | TV Show | 2026
đWhere to watch: Disney+
âWhatâs it about: A group of Spanish tourists on an organized trip to Lisbon find themselves investigating a murder after one of them is killed on the first morning. As they try to find the killer among the group, they also visit some of the most beautiful Lisbon sites.
đ€© Why you should watch: Because itâs Knives Out meets Only Murders in the Building. It takes the classic whodunit formula and gives it a playful twist, mixing humor, satire, and mystery in a way that feels fresh and different from the traditional crime drama. Itâs self-aware, the characters are exaggerated, and the mystery is engaging enough to keep you guessing without demanding too much from you. Also, Lisbon!
đŹ English Subtitles: Yes
đđ» Places to try this weekendâŠ
âïž CafĂ© GijĂłn is back, just not exactly as you remember it
Whatâs it about: The legendary CafĂ© GijĂłn is back (after being closed for five months), but under new ownership and with a very different vibe. The historic literary cafĂ© (it opened in 1888) now leans toward a more polished, international concept, complete with a revamped menu and a subtle (or not so subtle) introduction of U.S.-style suggested tipping.
Why you should go: Because itâs still CafĂ© GijĂłn (or at least it looks like it). The classic interiors are intact, the history is very much there, and it remains one of those places you go for the atmosphere as much as the coffee.
Bottom line: A cultural institution going through a bit of an identity crisis. Worth visiting once, if only to decide how you feel about it.
Address: Paseo de Recoletos 21, Madrid
đż FenĂłmeno is a new bar where you actually listen to the music
Whatâs it about: A hi-fi listening bar where music isnât background noise; itâs the main event. Inspired by Japanese jazz kissas, FenĂłmeno is built around vinyl, carefully curated DJ sets, and a custom sound system designed to make you actually hear every detail.
Why you should go: Because here, the vibe is the music. Funk and disco from the 80s and 90s played on vinyl, a sound system with 20 handcrafted speakers, and a crowd thatâs there to listen, not shout over it.
Bottom line: A stylish, slightly obsessive temple for music lovers, come for the sound, stay for everything else.
Address: Calle de Recoletos 13, Madrid.
đšđ»âđ» Viral Memes of the Week
đ Happy Semana Santa!
âïž You have to admit the ingenuity
đ Donât forget to follow us on Instagram!
If youâre not following us on Instagram yet, youâre missing out. Weâre posting exclusive content with our collaborators across Spain, breaking news updates, and pop culture coverage. Click on the post above and come hang with us!
đ Once again, please remember to share this newsletter with your friends on social media. The more we grow, the more information weâll be able to offer each week.
đš Customize your subscription! You can personalize your Bubble experience so you only get the emails you wantâand never the ones you donât. Click here to learn how.
đș Sponsorship opportunities. Want to get your brand in front of our engaged and influential audience of professionals, creatives, and government workers? Weâre now offering a variety of ways to do so. Click here to book a spot.