đ What's on in Madrid: September 5
Eva Yerbabuena, the return of street markets, a lunar eclipse, and more.
Madrid | Issue #114
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Here Are 5 Things to Do in Madrid This Weekend
Itâs Friday again!
Ugh. It was fun while it lasted. The summer is over (fine, technically we have two more weeks, but you know what we mean), and weâre all back in our miserable cubicles/classrooms/coworking desks. Oh well. At least weâre tanned.
The tyranny of the 21st-century routine demands that we reactivate the hamster wheel. How much longer until AI
destroystakes over our jobs and we can all happily collect our universal basic income? Asking for a friend.We digress. This week, Madrid slowly kicks back into gear with a slightly more varied offer for those of us looking forward to Friday evening, but we will still have to wait a few more weeks for the events agenda to start overflowing with options. In the meantime, grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte at the nearest Starbucks and check out the options below.
Happy weekend. đ
1.đđ» YerbagĂŒena: Flamenco in the purest of forms
Flamenco legend Eva Yerbabuena brings her award-winning show YerbagĂŒena to Matadero and boy, oh, boy⊠This isnât your typical night of stomping heels and screaming âOlĂ©!â. This is a tribute to the late, great Enrique Morente, a love letter to flamenco, and a masterclass in pushing the boundaries of tradition.
The video above says âFlamenco Festivalâ, but ignore that, itâs from her YerbagĂŒena performance in New York. This weekendâs show features Yerbabuena herself (natch) alongside a small but mighty crew: guitarist Paco Jarana (also her husband and creative partner), two cantaores, a percussionist, and a palmero. Together, they create a show thatâs both intimate and epic, shifting between raw, stripped-down moments and explosive bursts of sound and movement.
Born in Frankfurt to Andalusian parents, Yerbabuena grew up in Granada and began dancing at the age of 12. Over her career, sheâs collaborated with JoaquĂn CortĂ©s, Javier Latorre, and the Ballet Nacional de España, picking up some of the industryâs top honors along the way, including the Premio Nacional de Danza and a Medalla de Oro al MĂ©rito en las Bellas Artes.
This is your chance to experience one of flamencoâs modern icons up close. If you already have, you should probably go again.
đ„ïž What: YerbagĂŒena Oscuro Brillante
đ Where: Centro Danza Matadero, Paseo de la Chopera 14, Madrid
đ When: Sept. 4-7, check website for schedules
đ Tickets: âŹ27
2.đïž Jaume Plensaâs return to Madrid with Materia Interior
It had been over 20 years since Madrid hosted a major solo exhibition of Jaume Plensa, one of Spainâs most celebrated contemporary artists. Last October, Espacio FundaciĂłn TelefĂłnica changed that by bringing together 15 of Plensaâs sculptures in a show that spans more than three decades of his career.
The exhibit traces Plensaâs artistic evolution, from the abstract, conceptual forms of the early â90s to the figurative, more sensual works that have defined his later years. Through these pieces, Plensa explores one constant theme: the deep, unrelenting meditation on the human condition.
Born in Barcelona in 1955, Plensa has become a global art heavyweight, with works displayed in some of the worldâs most prestigious collections and public spaces. Along the way, heâs earned top honors like the Premio Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Premio VelĂĄzquez de las Artes, and even a French Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres medal. That giant white sculpture of a womanâs head in Plaza ColĂłn, in Salamanca? Thatâs Julia, by Plensa.
This exhibition offers a chance to see the breadth of his vision up close â and to reflect on how his art speaks to the complexities of modern life.
đ„ïž What: Jaume Plensaâs Materia Interior
đ Where: Museo FundaciĂłn TelefĂłnica, Calle de Fuencarral 3, Madrid
đ When: Through Sept. 7. Check website for schedule.
đ Tickets: Free admission
3.đ La Melonera: Arganzuelaâs sweetest end-of-summer tradition
Arganzuela says goodbye to the summer season every September with a celebration thatâs equal parts neighborhood block party and historic tradition. Meet Las Fiestas de La Melonera, a four-day festival packed with concerts, kidsâ activities, and a lot of actual melons.
The party kicked off yesterday but worry not, thereâs still live music each night and legendary artists like Soraya, and an HĂ©roes del Silencio tribute band. During the day, the streets are filled with rides, foam parties, and family-friendly shows, while food stalls keep everyone fueled.
For something truly unique, donât miss La Carrera de La Melonera on Sunday, a 5k and 10k run where you literally cross the finish line and get a slice of melon.
The festival wraps up next weekend with a traditional mass and procession honoring the Virgen del Puerto, a nod to its origins as a riverside market selling the last melons of the season. See? Tons of melons!
đ„ïž What: La Melonera
đ Where: Calle Arganda & surrounding streets in the Arganzuela district, Madrid
đ When: Sept. 4-7 (with final events on Sept. 14)
đ Tickets: Free admission
4. đ Lunar Eclipse: Watch the blood moon over Madrid
Spain gets front-row seats this Sunday to one of the yearâs most dramatic sky shows: a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. As the Earthâs shadow swallows the Moon, it will take on an eerie reddish glow, and you donât need any special glasses to see it.
The eclipse begins at 6:27 p.m., with totality running from 7:31 p.m.-8:53 p.m. and peaking at 8:11 p.m.. Most of Spain will see the full event, while Galiciaâs western edge and the Canary Islands will catch it mid-show as the Moon rises (sorry guys).
The moon will rise in Madrid while the total phase is already underway. It will emerge over the horizon at 8:35 p.m., with only about half an hour of totality left. By 8:53 p.m., it will gradually begin to regain its brightness, though it will remain partially eclipsed until 9:56 p.m., when the partial phase ends.
Want the best view of Sundayâs total lunar eclipse? Head somewhere with wide, open skies and minimal light pollution:
Cerro del TĂo PĂo (Vallecas) â Stunning skyline views at the âParque de las Siete Tetas.â
Casa de Campo â Higher spots in Madridâs biggest park are ideal.
Parque Juan Carlos I or Valdebebas â Open spaces with clear sightlines.
Outside the city â Rural areas = darker skies and a redder, brighter moon.
For something a bit more urban-chic, grab a cocktail at Azotea del CĂrculo de Bellas Artes and watch the Moon turn red over the skyline.
đ„ïž What: Lunar Eclipse
đ Where: The night sky.
đ When: Sept. 7.
5.đïž The Salesas Festival & Street Market
Welcome to The Festival by SALESAS, a street market thatâs as stylish as the neighborhood itself. This outdoor event takes place on the first Saturday of every month and transforms Calle Campoamor, Calle de Orellana, and Plaza de Santa BĂĄrbara into a vibrant hub of music, food, and creativity.
Think of it as Madridâs answer to a mini street festival: a place where you can discover up-and-coming designers, snack on artisanal treats, and maybe dance a little, all in the same afternoon.
You can also buy modern art, listen to cool music, try on some hipster handmade clothes, and sample chocolate from Papua New Guinea.
Itâs the perfect place to go with a group of friends, and after browsing for a bit, you can head to one of the many incredible brunch/patisseries/cafĂ©s in the area so you can feel sophisticated and pretend youâre in an episode of Valeria (try the pastries in La Duquesita nearby. They are chefâs kiss).
Artisans, fashion designers, bartenders, and poets are all mixed together here. Donât miss it.
đ„ïž What: The Festival Street Market
đ Where: By the Alonso MartĂnez metro station, Salesas neighborhood, Madrid.
đ When: Sept. 6, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
đ Free admission
đș What to watch if youâre staying in this weekendâŠ
đ„ïž What: Los Sin Nombre (The Unnamed) | Limited Series | 2025
đWhere to watch: Movistar+
âWhatâs it about: This thriller takes us deep into the eerie world of small-town mysteries and cult-like communities (our favorite!). Seven years after her daughter's murder, Claudia receives a chilling call: "Mom, it's me. Come get me." With help from Salazar, the ex-cop who worked the case, she desperately searches for the truth.
đ€© Why you should watch: If you love shows like True Detective or The Killing, this is Spainâs answer to those atmospheric, slow-burn mysteries.
đŹ English subtitles: No.
đ€€ Something to try this weekendâŠ
đż Sala Equis Madrid: where movies flirt with cocktails
A buzzing scene that mixes cinema, drinks, and good vibes all under the same roof.
đŹ The Concept: Once an adult (yes, that kind of âadultâ) cinema, Sala Equis has reinvented itself as one of Madridâs most original hangouts. Picture a giant screen glowing over lounge chairs, lush greenery, and a crowd that feels effortlessly cool. Itâs less about hushed movie nights and more about mingling, sipping, and soaking up the energy. The space is part cinema, part bar, part cultural hubâa choose-your-own-adventure night out.
đ Where: Calle del Duque de Alba 4, Madrid | +34 910 28 30 24 | Website
đœïž The Food & Drinks: Casual but fun. Loaded hot dogs, patatas bravas, and other easy bites you can share with friends. The drinks list leans playful too, with vermuts, craft beers, and cocktails.
đ„ A recommendation: Grab a spot in the central hall (beanbags and loungers go fast), order a spicy margarita with their signature hot dog, and let the night unfold. Whether you stay for a film or just the social buzz, plan around âŹ20 per person.
đ· Recoletos Jazz Bar Madrid: A stage for rhythm and romance
An intimate hideaway where velvet rhythms, dim lights, and timeless cocktails set the mood.
đš The Concept: Tucked near Paseo de Recoletos, this underground bar channels old-school romance: Brick walls, candlelit tables, and live jazz that feels close enough to touch. Itâs cozy and pretty seductive.
đ Where: Calle del MarquĂ©s de la Ensenada 2, Madrid | +34 915 77 79 89 | Website
đž The Drinks: Classic cocktails and smooth whiskies take center stage, with light tapas to keep the night lingering.
đ„ A recommendation: Get in late, order a Negroni or whiskey sour, and let the music do the talking. Budget: âŹ15-âŹ30 per person.
đšđ»âđ» Viral Meme of the Week
đ Lesser-known regional Spanish stereotypes #1: The people of Castilla? Not so much for emotions and words
By the way, this is sorta true.
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Weâll be back next week with more.