Festivals and yearly calendar in Aranjuez

The Aranjuez calendar follows the rhythm of the orchards and the court: a spring of strawberries and patron saints, a September of mutiny and an autumn of music. Exact dates change each year; this is the pattern. The next few weeks are in what’s on.

March to June: spring

Strawberry Train, spring season. In 2026 it started on 22 March.
Holy Week, with processions in the old town.
15 May, San Isidro, fiestas with a pilgrimage at the Real Cortijo de San Isidro.
May, strawberries. The harvest lasts barely 30 to 40 days.
End of May, Fiestas de San Fernando. The patron saint’s day, 30 May, is a local holiday (the palace closes). In 2026 there were five days and over 50 activities.

September: the Mutiny

The Mutiny Festival (Fiestas del Motín), in the first week of September, is Aranjuez’s great festival: of National Tourist Interest since 1990 and International since 2014. It recalls the Mutiny of 17–19 March 1808, which toppled Godoy and forced Charles IV to abdicate.

The re-enactment of the Mutiny on the Plaza de Parejas, beside the palace, with more than 170 local residents as actors.
The Pirate Descent of the Tagus, with home-made, fancy-dress boats (its 45th edition in 2026).
Concerts, a Goyesque bullfight at the bullring and activities across every neighbourhood.

On 15 September the town celebrates its patroness, the Virgen de las Angustias.

To experience the uprising as Galdós told it, follow the Galdós route.

October and November: autumn

Balloon festival, first weekend of October. About a dozen hot-air balloons take off from the Plaza de Parejas, beside the palace, at dawn and in the afternoon, weather permitting. Watching is free.
Strawberry Train, autumn season. In 2026, from 3 October to 8 November.
Early Music Festival. Its 33rd edition in 2026, from 2 October to 8 November, at weekends, in the palace chapel, the theatre and the Real Cortijo cellar.
12 October: the palace is free for everyone.
November: Arancine, the Aranjuez film festival. In 2026, from 5 to 14 November.

December

14 December: anniversary of the UNESCO listing (2001).
A quiet Christmas. Note that the palace closes on 24, 25 and 31 December.

Questions people ask

When is the Mutiny Festival in Aranjuez?

The first week of September. In 2026 it ran from 2 to 6 September. It has been a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 2014.

When are the patron saint festivities in Aranjuez?

The Fiestas de San Fernando, at the end of May (the patron saint's day is 30 May). In 2026 they ran from 27 to 31 May. The patroness, the Virgen de las Angustias, is celebrated on 15 September.