Get ready for a massive weekend in Madrid! February 14th and 15th are totally dominated by Carnival celebrations, meaning free street parades, tons of workshops, and traditional festivities all over the city. If you need a break from the confetti, there are some amazing puppet shows and musicals happening too. Here are the top 15 spots for families this weekend!
See our top picks
Carnival Day at Matadero
Matadero Madrid and Madrid Río
The epicenter of free family Carnival fun on Saturday with workshops and music.
Reading and Play Family Space: “Chez Matisse”
CaixaForum Madrid
A free, contained creative play space perfect for toddlers on Sunday.
Little Zarzuela: A Short Zarzuela for Listeners Aged 0 to 5
Ambigú del Teatro de la Zazuela
A 40-minute musical concert specifically for babies and preschoolers on Sunday.
· February 14
12FREE : Kick off the main Carnival celebrations with a massive family morning at Matadero. Expect workshops, street performances, and music to get everyone in the festive spirit. It’s the epicenter of the action for the day!This is the main hub for family-friendly Carnival events on Saturday, featuring tons of free, scheduled activities.
MADRID CARNIVAL PARADEFREE : Don't miss the grand street parade featuring vibrant street theater, huge puppets, and music filling the Madrid Río area. Perfect for kids who love color and spectacle.It’s the huge, colorful main parade happening midday Saturday, a must-see during Carnival weekend.
PUPPET SHOW – “HIDDEN IN THE FOUNTAIN”FREE : A beautiful, silent visual fable about ecology and coexistence performed by the group Ángeles de Trapo. It’s short and poetic, perfect for little attention spans.It’s a free, artistic show specifically programmed for Carnival morning at the Matadero hub.
MAGIC – “THE MAGIC OF A GLOBETROTTER”FREE : Catch this humorous street magic show featuring David Navares, which promises lots of interaction with the audience. It’s a great 90-minute diversion before the main parade.Free, accessible street magic happening right before the main parade near the Carnival epicenter.
: An afternoon storytelling session at the Casa del Lector. This is a great way to wind down Saturday with a literary activity focused on literature and imagination.A dedicated storytelling session happening Saturday afternoon, ideal for pre-bedtime winding down.
: This event at Casa del Lector looks like a theatre or interactive session themed around a birthday party. A great option for Saturday lunch time entertainment.It’s an early afternoon slot on Saturday at a known family venue.
JAPAN WEEKEND MADRID : If your kids are into manga, anime, or video games, this convention at IFEMA is the place to be this Saturday. It’s a massive celebration of Japanese pop culture.A major pop culture convention happening all day Saturday, perfect for older kids/teens.
FREE : Take a short trip just outside Madrid to Chinchón, where the whole town transforms into a massive medieval market complete with artisans, food, and shows. It's a fun, immersive day out.This historic market runs all weekend and offers a completely different experience from central Madrid activities.
MALDONNE (DANCE PERFORMANCE) : If you're looking for culture, Leïla Ka Company presents 'Maldonne' at Matadero on Saturday. This is contemporary dance, so great for families with teens or older children interested in the arts.A high-quality contemporary dance piece happening right in the middle of the Carnival activities on Saturday.
FREE : Kids can invent their own superheroes, creating masks and emblems representing powers like friendship during this fun Carnival workshop at Matadero. It runs several times Saturday morning.It’s a free, creative Carnival workshop focusing on imagination and character creation happening Saturday morning.
FREE : Explore the theme of transformation through Carnival by designing a unique mask representing an emotion or imaginary character. Several timeslots available Saturday morning.Another great free, hands-on workshop at the Carnival hub, focusing on creative expression.
FREE : Enjoy a visual show filled with giant bubbles and tunnels, followed immediately by a participatory workshop where kids can try it themselves. It’s free and happens right at the Matadero plaza.It includes both a show and a hands-on workshop, perfect for keeping younger kids engaged on Saturday morning.
· February 15
4FREE : Experience authentic Madrid Carnival tradition on Sunday morning with the 'Manteo del Pelele' (throwing a dummy off a blanket) followed by performances from traditional musical groups. This is a great way to see local culture in action.It’s a specific, traditional Carnival event focused on the morning of Sunday the 15th.
READING AND PLAY FAMILY SPACE: “CHEZ MATISSE”FREE : This free space at CaixaForum lets kids engage creatively with the universe of the Matisse exhibition through reading and play. It’s a calm, contained environment ideal for younger kids.It’s a fantastic free mediation activity perfect for toddlers and preschoolers that complements the current exhibition.
: Catch the final day of Disney On Ice! See Moana, Elsa, and Anna performing incredible acrobatics and choreography on the ice. This is a massive spectacle perfect for the whole family.It is the final performance day (Sunday the 15th) of a major, large-scale family show.
: If you have little ones who need an early start, this Sunday morning show is scheduled at 11 AM. It explores the marine world through a curious little frog’s perspective.It’s one of the earliest running shows on Sunday morning (11 AM).
Also On· anytime this weekend
3: This is a high-energy musical show perfect for younger kids, full of singing, dancing, and humor. The Saturday midday slot is great for a family lunch break activity.It is a specific, scheduled family concert on Saturday at noon, promising lots of audience participation.
: This 40-minute sensory concert is specifically designed for babies and toddlers (up to age 5) to introduce them to classic Spanish music in a relaxed environment. A perfect indoor option for the very young.Perfectly tailored for the 0-5 age group, this is a rare find, and it’s on Sunday.
: Dive into the world of Pandora with this immersive exhibition featuring detailed settings and original movie pieces. Great for movie fans who enjoy interactive experiences.It's a popular, high-production value immersive exhibition that is running this Saturday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Madrid this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 14-15) there are several great free options, primarily centered around Carnival. Check out the Carnival Day at Matadero on Saturday for workshops and performances, or the Bubble Show – Magic Bubble on Saturday morning. Also, the Reading and Play Family Space: “Chez Matisse” at CaixaForum is free on Sunday.
Are there any big outdoor events happening on Saturday, Feb 14th?
Yes! Saturday is dominated by Carnival. The Madrid Carnival Parade kicks off at 1 PM, following numerous morning workshops and shows happening at the main hub, Matadero Madrid and Madrid Río.
What's good for teens/older kids this weekend?
Teens will enjoy the pop culture explosion at Japan Weekend Madrid at IFEMA on Saturday. For something immersive, check out Avatar: The Experience.
