Annual children’s events in Madrid

In Madrid, it is easy to spend a day out with the kids. Throughout the year, it is possible to enjoy many fun plans for all the family.  

To kick off the year, one of the big proposals for the family is the Inverfest, a festival with diverse artistic proposals, such as music, cinema or poetry. The Inverfest programme  includes a cycle for kids, Inverfest New Rockers, where groups like Petit Pop, Gemeliers or Los chicos del Coro have performed.

​Then, there is a key annual event for kids, Carnival!, which will once more bring dances,  street performers and many fancy dresses to Madrid. The fun is guaranteed! Every year the Circo Price Theatre hosts the International Magic Festival, a competition for older children where illusionists of different nationalities create two unprecedented shows: the show Magia de Cerca and the International Stage Magic Gala.

Stage Arts and Passion for Reading

Teatralia, an annual stage arts festival for children and young people is also organised at this time of the year, in which different companies from all around the world bring the magic of theatre to the little ones.

More ideas? The Desde la Cuna theatre cycle for babies is held at the Tetuán Cultural Centre with free entrance. Talking of stages, the famous and classic The Lion King cannot be missed.

When it comes to spring, we cannot forget two classics: the Madrid Book Fair – perfect for children to develop a passion for reading – and the San Isidro Festivities in May, in which the little ones can dress up in chulapos and eat round cakes and candyfloss in the San Isidro meadow.

Open-air cinemas, festivals and classics of children’s leisure

In the middle of summer, there are more and more summer cinema proposals, such as the Conde Duque, Cibeles de Cine, La Bombilla and the Autocine Madrid Fever where every Saturday, thanks to Rita's Lunch, you can enjoy gastronomy, live music, markets and activities for children. The Veranos de la Villa festival is also a regular annual event, with many ideas to enjoy as a family, such as the fireworks at the closing ceremony.

For children who are passionate about cinema, don't miss the Filmoteca Junior sessions of the Filmoteca Española, the Verdi Kids with sessions in the early afternoon and the mornings of Saturdays and holidays or the Matinés de la Cineteca. Some of the rooms of the Yelmo company already have a Junior Room specially designed to go with children who have a play area, slide (tobogán), special seats. Several cinemas in Madrid such as the one located in the La Vaguada shopping centre have the "Sesión teta", an initiative for mothers, fathers and companions to go to the cinema with their babies.

On the other hand, it is always a god time to visit classic children’s leisure places in the city, such as  the Warner Park, the Faunia Theme Park or the Zoo Aquarium, which extends its opening times in summer and offers fun evening activities.  Of course, you must visit the beautiful El Retiro Park, which offers the  El Retiro Puppet Theatre all year round and also organises a summer festival from June to September.

When the heat is on, what better plan than to visit a water park with all the family?  Guaranteed fun at Aquopolis de Villanueva de la Cañada - Europe's largest water park - and at Warner Beach Park. Both have a variety of water attractions for the whole family.

Videogames also make their place through Gamergy, a festival organized by IFEMA and Madrid Games Week one of the most eagerly awaited appointments by the public fans of the world of videogames, electronics and entertainment.

At the beginning of September the DCODE music festival is usually held, which is free for children under the age of ten and which has a Dcode Kids space with games, story-telling and face-painting.

Not to be missed events to end the year

At the beginning of autumn, Titerescena, a cycle devoted to the exhibition and performance of activities related to the world of puppets and marionettes. It is an event that is hosted by the Valle-Inclán Theatre and continues for several months.

In mid-October The Transhumance Festival is held, where flocks of sheep make their entire journey on foot from León through the royal streams to the city, a livestock practice that has been celebrated for more than 25 editions.

Each year, at the end of October, Casa de México in Spain celebrates the Day of the Dead in style, setting up an altar for the Day of the Dead. It is a special act where activities are also organised for children revolving around this celebration, such as workshops and film cycles.

In November, different cultural spaces such as Cineteca, Cine Paz Conde Duque or Cines Verdi, host Mi Primer Festival de Cine, a film event designed for young people from 2 to 12 years old.

December is well on its way, jam packed with fun activities. For starters, in the first week of December, from 5th to 9th, there is an expo for children and teenagers, Juvenalia, packed with entertainment options, including theatre, music, video games, robotics, sports, and magic.

The Madrid Children’s Book Fair is also held for kids to continue appreciating the value of reading and they can attend workshops, round tables and presentations. There is also room for videogames from 14^th to 16^th December with Gamergy, a festival organised by IFEMA.

Of course, we cannot forget Christmas, which comes full of events that kids will love: the Cortylandia show, the Three Kings Procession, the Three Kings Train, the Special Shipment Department, the Aldeas Infantiles Kings’ Cake, markets, ice-skating rinks, Christmas merry-go-rounds, such as those in Plaza de Santa Cruz and Plaza de Oriente or the special programme at the Circo Price Theatre. The holidays will be unforgettable!