đ What's on in Madrid: November 14
The NFL comes to Madrid, the Meninas gallery, an LGBTQ+ film festival and more!
Madrid | Issue #122
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Itâs Friday again!
Madrid is overflowing this week. The city has officially entered its âwhy does everything happen at once?â era, so be prepared.
Weâve got the NFL landing at the BernabĂ©u, VelĂĄzquezâs meninas invading the city again, the 30th edition of QueerCineMad and Purcellâs The Fairy Queen at the Teatro Real, among many other things.
From American football under stadium lights to baroque magic, queer cinema, street art, and artisanal shopping sprees⊠Happy weekend!
But first, a word from this weekâs sponsor
đ Ready to swap your screen for a book and your commute for a literary stroll?
Join the Nomad Book Club Madrid Literary Retreat (Nov 21â24) â a 4-day escape of bookshop safaris, writer meetups, wine-soaked chats, and slow, soulful reading time in the heart of Madrid.
Our friends at Nomad Book Club will guide you through the cityâs literary past on museum visits and walking tours â and into its vibrant present with book launches, poetry workshops, and events featuring up-and-coming writers.
A rare chance to reconnect with your love of books and Madrid.
âĄïž Full details & sign-up here.
1. đ Madrid is officially NFL territory this weekend (yes, really)
Madrid is gearing up for one of its most surreal cultural crossovers ever: the NFL is finally touching down in Spain. This Sunday, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will host its first-ever regular-season American football game, a historic matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders, complete with a halftime show by Bizarrap and Daddy Yankee.
Yes, you read that correctly: reggaetĂłn meets football in ChamartĂn. This is a huge moment for the league and for Madrid, which continues to position itself as a global center for sport and entertainment.
The Dolphins arrive as the designated home team, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and coach Mike McDaniel. The Commanders, meanwhile, land in Madrid fresh off a 12â5 season and an NFC Championship run, with rising superstar Jayden Daniels (2024âs Offensive Rookie of the Year) at the helm.
The NFL has been expanding aggressively outside the U.S., with games in London and Frankfurt becoming yearly traditions. Now itâs Madridâs turn, and doing it in the BernabĂ©u, with its brand-new futuristic makeover, makes the whole thing feel even more like a global pop-culture event than a sports match.
And the halftime show? Expect one of the loudest crowds Bizarrap and Daddy Yankee have ever performed in front of, and probably the first time the Bernabéu has heard a dembow beat immediately after a 40-yard pass.
There are like a million things to do related to this event, so check out the NFL website for more.
đ„ïž What: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders, NFL Regular Season
đ Where: Santiago BernabĂ©u Stadium, Avenida de Concha Espina 1, Madrid
đ When: Nov. 16, 3:30 p.m.
đ Tickets start at âŹ165
2.đš The Meninas are once again taking over Madrid
Madridâs most glamorous street invasion is back. Meninas Madrid Gallery returns from this Saturday, transforming the city into an outdoor museum with 34 giant 1.80-meter meninas, each reimagined by some of the biggest names in music, fashion, sports, art, and entertainment.
This yearâs lineup? Gloria Estefan, Los del RĂo, Paula EchevarrĂa, radio hosts Javi Nieves and Mar Amate, influencer Erika de la Vega, and a long list of artists whoâve redesigned VelĂĄzquezâs iconic figure through their own lens. The project, created by artist Antonio Azzato and supported by Todo estĂĄ en Madrid and ACOTEX, has become one of the cityâs most beloved autumn rituals.
The sculptures pop up across Madridâs most trafficked neighborhoods. Two welcoming visitors at Barajas Airport, four in the Centro district (Callao, Plaza de España, Gran VĂa), one in ChamberĂ, one in Moncloa-Aravaca near the Temple of Debod, and a full 26 sculptures spread across Salamanca.
The exhibition ends with a charity auction (as always), with 80% of proceeds donated to selected foundations.
This yearâs edition also leans into two big themes shaping Madrid in 2025: sports and AI.
Some meninas are dedicated to this Sundayâs NFL game, with sculptures designed by the Miami Dolphins, the Washington Commanders, and even the NFL itself. And then thereâs Menina Alexa, your new AI-powered art concierge, serving daily updates, fun facts, and easter eggs straight to your device.
Each sculpture includes a QR code so you can explore the concept, view the artistâs notes, and even see a virtual rendition of the menina. Itâs Madrid at its best, turning the city into one massive cultural playground.
đ„ïž What: Meninas Madrid Gallery 2025 Outdoor Art Exhibition
đ Where: Multiple locations around Madrid
đ When: Nov. 15 to Dec. 15
đ Free admission
3. đŹ QueerCineMad Film Festival turns 30
Madridâs biggest celebration of queer cinema is back, and with a new name. Formerly known as LesGaiCineMad, the LGBTQ+ film festival enters its 30th edition as QueerCineMad, running this month across more than 20 venues in the Madrid region, including Cineteca, the CĂrculo de Bellas Artes, and Casa de AmĂ©rica.
With over 110 films from around the world, it remains the beating heart of diverse, boundary-pushing cinema in Spain. Founded in 1996, the festival has long served as the gateway for Spanish and Latin American LGBTQIA+ films to reach global distributors, programmers, and audiences.
The rebrand to QueerCineMad reflects an evolution in language, identity, and community, embracing a broader, more inclusive idea of what queer cinema means today. And itâs not just symbolic: it marks the festivalâs continued transformation as one of Europeâs top five queer film festivals and the largest, longest-running in IberoamĂ©rica.
The 2025 lineup includes films awarded at Cannes, Berlin, Venice, San SebastiĂĄn, Sundance, and Tribeca.
Highlights from this yearâs San SebastiĂĄn Festival will screen in Madrid, including La misteriosa mirada del flamenco and Jone, batzuetan in the Official Selection, Eloy de la Iglesia, adicto al cine in the Documentary section, and Muy lejos starring Mario Casas and David Verdaguer as a Special Presentation.
The closing film, En el camino by David Pablos, explores masculinity, violence, homophobia, and queer desire with unflinching honesty, and arrives fresh off multiple awards at the Morelia Film Festival.
QueerCineMad remains a vital cultural force and a reminder that queer cinema continues to shape and expand the stories we tell.
đ„ïž What: QueerCineMad, 30th International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival
đ Where: Multiple locations around Madrid
đ When: Through Nov. 23. Check website for schedules.
đ Tickets: Check website
4.âš Attention, opera nerds! Purcellâs Fairy Queen charms the Teatro Real
Baroque lovers, this oneâs for you. The Teatro Real brings back Henry Purcellâs The Fairy Queen, a dazzling semi-opera inspired by Shakespeareâs A Midsummer Nightâs Dream, in a semi-staged concert version featuring the internationally acclaimed ensemble Vox Luminis.
Itâs magical, ethereal, and just the right amount of weird, exactly as a PurcellâShakespeare crossover should be.
Premiered in 1692 at Londonâs Queenâs Theatre, The Fairy Queen is a five-act whirlwind of music, dreams, and mischief. The Teatro Realâs new production invites the audience directly into the dream of a central character whose subconscious mixes with the mythical world of Titania, the fairy queen, as she undergoes her own transformative journey.
Expect moonlit forests, wild enchantments, and a parade of fairies, elves, goblins, and nymphs, all navigating the chaos that threatens their world before harmony (and love, obviously) wins in the end.
Itâs elegant, playful, and richly atmospheric. The Fairy Queen is one of those rare Baroque experiences that feels both classic and unexpectedly immersive. And with Vox Luminis performing, itâs almost guaranteed to be one of the seasonâs standout musical events.
đ„ïž What: The Fairy Queen: Semi-staged concert version
đ Where: Teatro Real, Plaza de Isabel II s/n, Madrid
đ When: Nov. 15, 7 p.m.
đ Tickets start at âŹ160
5. đïž Mercado del Encanto: Madridâs most charming pop-up returns
If you love discovering indie designers, one-of-a-kind pieces, and beautifully curated craftsmanship, mark your calendar: Mercado del Encanto, one of Madridâs most beloved pop-ups, is back at the HipĂłdromo de la Zarzuela on 16 and 30 November.
Celebrating 10 years and more than 150 editions, this market has become a reference point for Madridâs artisanal scene. What makes it special? A hand-picked lineup of around 30 creators showcasing products you wonât find in traditional shops, and the chance to chat directly with the designers and artisans behind each piece.
Expect a mix of fashion, accessories, art, décor, beauty, cosmetics, jewelry, and even gourmet treats, all presented in a warm, boutique-style setting. As always, the market adds a bit of fun with its traditional product-basket raffle among attendees.
Mercado del Encanto has taken over some of Madridâs most iconic spaces over the years, from palaces and casinos to hotels and outdoor festivals, always maintaining its hallmark commitment to quality, exclusivity, and creativity.
đ„ïž What: Mercado del Encanto Pop-Up Market
đ Where: HipĂłdromo de la Zarzuela, Carretera HipĂłdromo 2, Madrid
đ When: Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
đ Tickets: Free admission
đș What to watch if youâre staying in this weekendâŠ
đ„ïž What: La MesĂas (The Messiah) | TV Show | 2023
đWhere to watch: Movistar+
âWhatâs it about: A psychological drama series about two siblings, Enric and Irene, who are forced to confront their traumatic childhoods shaped by a fanatical, religiously-motivated mother and her mysterious Christian pop band called âEstela Marisâ.
đ€© Why you should watch: Well, first of all, this is considered one of the best productions created by Los Javis (who have just called it quits). Also, itâs a compelling thriller narrative, which explores themes of trauma, religious fanaticism, and obsession. The series is lauded for its artistic and cinematic qualities and boasts an exceptional cast and creative team.
đŹ English Subtitles: No.
đ€€ Something to try this weekendâŠ
đŠđ· La ChoripanerĂa: Madridâs temple of the choripĂĄn
Whatâs it about: La Choripaneria is an Argentine-style grill house with two Madrid locations. They specialise in 100 % homemade chorizo criollo made on-site, fresh-baked bread daily, and a full menu of Argentine cuts and comfort favourites.
Why you should go: Because itâs rare to find such authentic homemade flavour in central Madrid, where you can meet the cook, chat with the designer of your grill and literally smell the bread bursting from the oven while your choripĂĄn arrives.
Bottom line: If youâre looking for a laid-back, high-character meal where food, wine and storytelling come together, La Choripaneria is a win.
đ Address: Avenida MarĂa 15 (LavapiĂ©s); Calle de Viriato 49 (ChamberĂ)
đ„ La Duquesita: Classic pastries, pure Madrid elegance
Whatâs it about: La Duquesita is an iconic Madrid pastry house (Est. 1914). Renovated in 2015 by master pastry chef Oriol Balaguer, it fuses time-honoured craft with modern creativity like bombons and trufas, buttery croissants, elegant tarts, and seasonal desserts crafted to evoke emotion.
Why you should go: Because itâs Madrid culinary heritage. Youâll be served pieces of art: signature chocolates and truffles with flavours like yuzu, mango-pasiĂłn, pistachio & cardamom; glossy cakes of cheese-and-raspberry, lime-and-mango, pistachio, and more. Add to that the elegant tea salon upstairs where you can pair pastries with Bollinger or a fine espresso in refined surroundings.
Bottom line: La Duquesita is the place for when youâre done grabbing a latte and want something unforgettable: an indulgence, a tradition, a moment of luxury. Stop by, pick up a bombĂłn case, or take your time in their SalĂłn de TĂ©. Youâll leave convinced Madrid has a soft-spot for the sweet life.
đ Address: Calle Fernando VI, 2, Madrid
đšđ»âđ» Viral Meme of the Week
đ± The horror! The horror!
đđ»ââïž Katy went for a jogâŠ
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Weâll be back next week with more.
Overflowing is an understatement! đđ
Who knew so many people in Madrid had American football jerseys?