Madrid Pride (MADO)
The city of Madrid has celebrated for the last few years the biggest LGTBI+ Pride in Europe and one of the most popular in the world, 5 days packed with concerts, cultural festivals, social and sporting activities. Each year it brings together more than a million people in a huge celebration of diversity. The annual Pride festival programme includes protest, cultural, sporting and entertainment events. The free concerts and shows organised by MADO in the different squares in the centre of Madrid are an example of celebration and protest. The start of the festivities takes place on the stage of the Plaza de Pedro Zerolo with the reading of the proclamation that kicks off the Pride festivities. Other municipalities in the Community of Madrid also celebrate the Gay Pride festival with readings of manifestos and an extensive programme of activities, such as talks, games, workshops, cultural exhibitions, screenings, concerts, ect. Highlights include celebrations in: Alcalá de Henares, Alcobendas, Alcorcón, Arganda del Rey, Coslada, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Leganés, Móstoles, Parla, Pinto, Rivas Vaciamadrid, San Fernando de Henares, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Tres Cantos and Valdemoro.

Mr. Gay Pride Spain
Mr. Gay Pride Spain is the most important gay contest in Spain, where the participants represent the different autonomous communities. It is the most mediatic event of Madrid Pride, which brings together almost 20,000 people at its final gala. The event, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2022, works throughout the year in different areas and social campaigns that culminate in the grand final gala, which always features important national and international artists.

Family Pride
Family Pride is held in September at Matadero Madrid. A multi-purpose space where you can enjoy a multicoloured day with your family or friends in a festive and inclusive atmosphere, where you can spend the day enjoying music, theatre, sports activities, games for the little ones and a full programme of talks and round tables.

Mad Cool
This is a festival where you can enjoy Indie, Rock, Pop, Electronic, Hip Hop and Rap music. It has been held in Madrid since 2016, in a space where art, fashion, gastronomy and tourism come together.

LesGaiCineMad
Queer film lovers have an appointment at LesGaiCineMad, the most important LGTBI+ themed festival in Spanish, both in terms of number of spectators, scope and number of films. The event has competitive sections dedicated to feature films, short films and documentaries, and is one of the most complete festivals on the circuit.

MadBear
The MadBear festival is one of the most important international bear gatherings that brings together thousands of people every year in Madrid.

RuPaul's Drag Race: Werq The World
The biggest drag show in the world, RuPaul's Drag Race: Werq The World, was held last June at the Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, being the city in charge of closing this European tour. RuPaul's Drag Race World Tour is presented by Voss Events in collaboration with World Of Wonder and VH1.

Theatre and Musicals
Madrid is one of the world capitals of musical theatre. After London and New York, few cities in the world have such a wide offer as the one in Gran Vía and other surrounding areas, because just like the West End and Broadway, the off Gran Vía is becoming more and more interesting. But another very important aspect is that the Red de Teatros de la Comunidad de Madrid offers a very wide range of shows during each and every month of the year. Moreover, we must remember that we are talking about the community that first raised the cultural curtain - worldwide - after the pandemic, with a now historic Traviata at the Teatro Real, recently awarded Best Opera House in the World.

Image credits:

Fuente de Cibeles © F. J. Carneros

Mad Cool © XuRxO

Musical El Rey León © Stage Entertainment Madrid