Patron Saint Festivities of San Fernando de Henares
Local festivals in San Fernando de Henares
The Patron Saint Festivities are the municipality's main late-May celebration, bringing together the feast of San Fernando, the history of the Real Sitio, the local peñas and a broad municipal programme.
Usual celebration
They are usually celebrated around 30 May. Over roughly five main days, Plaza de España, the fairground and El Batán concert venue host opening speeches, a traditional market, parades, concerts, orchestras, fairground rides, fireworks, children's activities and tournaments; preliminary events may extend the complete festival period.
Programme for 2026
The Town Council scheduled events from 22 to 31 May 2026, with the main days from 28 to 31 May. The programme comprised nearly one hundred events and about thirty musical performances; the traditional market occupied Plaza de España, the peñas delivered their speech and decorated the statue of Fernando VI, and the programme included fireworks and the closing «Pobre de mí».
Local public holidays in 2026
The BOCM declared Friday 15 and Friday 29 May as San Fernando de Henares's paid, non-recoverable local public holidays. This status is limited to the municipality: 30 May, the traditional feast day of San Fernando, and the other programme dates do not become local public holidays for that reason alone.
Origins and usual tradition
This is a local celebration specific to San Fernando de Henares. Its dedication and the town's name refer to San Fernando and the Real Sitio founded under Fernando VI. The Town Council describes it as the traditional opening of the Corredor del Henares festival season, while its organisation and public holidays remain strictly municipal.
Events and traditions
The programme combines the institutional and peñas' opening speeches, concerts, orchestras, a traditional market, parades, fire shows, fireworks, fairground rides, children's activities and sports tournaments. Games organised by the peñas and the closing «Pobre de mí» are also established features.
Duration of events
The main events usually occupy about five days at the end of May, although the fair and preliminary programme can extend the full celebration beyond a week. The 2025 official dates were 28 May to 1 June, with rides open from 23 May; in 2026 activities ran from 22 to 31 May.
Local history
The festival draws on both the patronage of San Fernando and the memory of the Real Sitio and Fernando VI, whose statue is decorated in the peñas' colours during their opening speech. The peñas also lead games, parades and the closing event. The Town Council records a long line of speakers, including Rafael Alberti on 28 May 1982.
Places
Events take place across San Fernando de Henares. Plaza de España usually hosts opening speeches, the market and performances; the fairground, operating since 1996 between Camino de la Huerta and Plaza de Guernica, contains the casetas and rides; and El Batán hosts the largest concerts. Parque Dolores Ibárruri and sports or cultural venues may also be used.
Participants and organisation
The Festejos department coordinates the programme with other municipal services. Peñas, associations and local groups take part alongside artists, orchestras, traders and fairground operators, while Local Police, Civil Protection and other emergency services provide the event's safety arrangements.
Other events and cultural dates
The municipal calendar also includes Día de la Tortilla on 3 February at Paseo de los Chopos and the Carnival cycle, with costume parades, music in Plaza de España and the burial of the sardine.