Photo: Dirección General de Turismo. Consejería de Economía e Innovación Tecnológica. Comunidad de Madrid · CC BY 3.0 es · Wikimedia Commons
Patron saint festival
Fiestas Patronales de San Sebastián en El Boalo
El Boalo, Madrid · Comunidad de Madrid
2026 edition
17–20 January 2026
✔ Official dates confirmed
2026 programme
- 17 January, 00:00 to 02:00 · DJ Session
- 17 January, 22:00 · Still Rock Concert
- 18 January, 11:30 to 14:30 · Nomadic Games
- 18 January, 17:00 · Mus Tournament
- 18 January, 19:00 · Zarzuela Show (Casa de la Cultura de El Boalo)
- 19 January, 00:00 to 02:00 · DJ Session
- 19 January, 22:00 · Lighting of the traditional Bonfire
- 19 January, 22:00 · Caldo AEBOCEMA (Broth)
- 19 January, 22:00 to 00:00 · Flashback Dance Concert
- 19 January, 22:30 · Hot Chocolate and Pork Rind Cakes
- 20 January, 11:00 · Diana Floreada (Morning Parade - Town Streets)
- 20 January, 12:00 · Mass and Procession of San Sebastián
- 20 January, 13:30 · Aperitif and Charanga (Brass Band)
Sources: Web oficial del Ayuntamiento de El Boalo (elboalo-cerceda-mataelpino.org)
Introduction and local significance
The San Sebastián Patron Saint Festivities in El Boalo are the annual celebration dedicated to the patron saint of this municipality in the Community of Madrid. This festival, which features a varied programme of activities, takes place this year from 17 to 20 January 2026. The schedule includes religious, cultural, and leisure events, offering an opportunity to discover local customs in a mountain setting.
Historical origins and tradition
The festival maintains elements that link the celebration with the town's identity. The central element of the tradition is the lighting of the traditional bonfire, which marks one of the moments of fellowship among residents during the festive nights. Furthermore, the day of the main event includes the diana floreada (a lively morning parade), a musical procession that travels through the streets of the town to announce the start of the festive day.
Programme and main events
The 2026 edition of the San Sebastián Patron Saint Festivities in El Boalo begins on 17 January with the prize-giving ceremony for the local consumer campaign and various musical offerings. The religious acts are concentrated on the 20th, with the celebration of the mass and procession in honour of the saint, followed by an aperitif accompanied by a charanga (a brass band).
During the weekend, the programme includes varied options such as a zarzuela (traditional Spanish operetta) show at the Casa de la Cultura, mus (a traditional Spanish card game) tournaments, and nomadic games for entertainment. The evenings feature DJ sessions and concerts, with the night of 19 January standing out, combining live music with the lighting of the fire and the tasting of typical products. You can check the full details of times and locations in the official programme displayed at the beginning of this guide.
Traditional festival food
Local gastronomy takes centre stage on the night of 19 January, coinciding with the celebration around the bonfire. Attendees can taste the following traditional products:
- Caldo AEBOCEMA: A broth served during the night of the bonfire lighting.
- Chocolate y Tortas de Chicharrón: Typical sweets (hot chocolate and pork rind cakes) offered to participants after the bonfire, which is a customary way to end that day of festivities.
Visitor guide and where to stay
To attend the events, it is worth noting that the municipality may see higher footfall during the celebration days, so it is advisable to prioritise public transport. If you choose to travel by private car, it is preferable to look for parking outside the town centre to avoid access complications.
It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, either in El Boalo itself or in nearby towns, which makes it easier to follow the evening events without the need for long journeys. Additionally, before travelling, it is recommended to always check the official programme for possible last-minute changes to the times or locations of the events.