Bullfighting season Madrid - Fiesta de San Isidro!
This week, until the end of the month, Madrid celebrates the Fiesta of San Isidro with the main day of celebration being May 15 -- which is a public holiday in the city.
Should you have the urge to watch bullfights this is the best time to do so. I personally find it barbaric and have only watched it on television (I wanted to vomit), but throughout May, Madrid holds bullfights with some of the best matadors in the bull ring of "Las Ventas". Fights can cost anything from 10-100, depending on when you go and who you go to watch.
Otherwise during San Isidro, from May 11-18 Madrilenos dress as as chulos, chulapas, and goyescas and parade the streets. People set up stalls of food, drink and music -- and everyone's just merry.
San Isidro was a good man and hard worker, who found "miracle" water when he was digging, ever since he has been named the patron saint of Madrid. On May 15, you can go to the Park of San Isidro and drink this miracle water from the fountain. Other key areas to be at this time are: Plaza Mayor and Jardines de las Vistillas, where alongside open air concerts, you will find people traditionally dressed dancing the chotis -- a slow polka-waltz type trot. All in all, a good time to experience traditional Madrid!