What to do near Madrid this weekend: medieval market, workshops and birds of prey in Velilla

This weekend, Velilla de San Antonio becomes a destination for those looking for a different plan near Madrid. El Gran Mercado Medieval offers workshops, shows and activities for all ages. An event that adds options to the region’s cultural and leisure calendar.

Those seeking a different getaway without going too far from Madrid have a singular option this weekend: Velilla de San Antonio hosts El Gran Mercado Medieval, a proposal that turns Catalina Muñoz Park into a period setting, just half an hour from the capital. The event, which runs from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 April, promises an immersive experience for families, groups of friends and curious people of all ages.

The market opens on Friday afternoon and continues into the night, while on Saturday and Sunday activity begins in the morning and lasts until late. Attractions include themed street parades, participatory workshops, displays of birds of prey in flight, juggling, face painting and live musical performances. Merchants’ stalls complete the atmosphere, with artisan products and offerings that invite visitors to discover trades and customs from other times.

The programme is designed so that every visitor finds their place, from play areas for the youngest to shows that recapture the atmosphere of old markets. Catalina Muñoz Park is easy to reach both by car and public transport, making visits easier from different points in the metropolitan area.

Catalina Muñoz Park, a usual meeting point in Velilla de San Antonio, has in recent years become established as a venue for events that energise local life. Its location and spaciousness allow it to host large-format proposals without losing its close-knit atmosphere. Initiatives such as El Gran Mercado Medieval reinforce the municipality’s cultural identity and place it on the map of alternative plans for those living in and around Madrid. Madrid is already starting to move in that direction.