DECEMBER 2000
1-24 Dec—Christmas Preparations. During December, the Plaza Mayor is lined with stalls selling Christmas trees, toys and foods.
2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 Dec—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
6 Dec—Constitution Day. Public holiday.
8 Dec—Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Public holiday. Spanish women named Conchita, Concha and Immaculata receive presents.
12-31 Dec—Art Exhibit. "Visions of Latin America." Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Santa Isabel 52. Phone 91-267-5062.
http://www.museoreinasofia.mcu.es .
12-31 Dec—Art Exhibit. "C. Meireles." Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Santa Isabel 52. Phone 91-267-5062.
http://www.museoreinasofia.mcu.es .
Mid-Late December—Feria de Artesania. Big crafts market at Plaza de Recoletos and surrounding streets. Continues through 6 Jan 2001.
24 Dec—Christmas Eve. The evening is devoted to traditional family observances, followed by midnight mass. Turrones (marzipan) and villancicos (Christmas carols) are the order of this day and Christmas Day following.
25 Dec—Christmas. Public holiday.
28 Dec—Dia de los Inocentes. A day similar to April Fools' Day.
Throughout December—Exhibit. Book exhibition at Biblioteca Nacional, Paseo de Recoletos 20. Phone 91-580-7800. Concludes 31 Dec.
Throughout December—Art Exhibit. "Picasso." Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Santa Isabel 52. Phone 91-267-5062.
http://www.museoreinasofia.mcu.es . Concludes 31 Dec.
JANUARY 2001
1 Jan—New Year's Day. Public holiday.
1-6 Jan—Feria de Artesania. Big crafts market at Plaza de Recoletos and surrounding streets. Concludes 6 Jan.
5 Jan—Night Parade. Elaborate parade with lavishly decorated floats that heralds the arrival of the Three Kings the following day (Epiphany).
6 Jan—Epiphany. Public holiday. This is a big day for children, who receive presents.
6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Jan—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
FEBRUARY 2001
Early-Late February—ARCO. The prestigious Contemporary Art Fair brings together works from top art galleries in many countries. Works on display are for sale. Feria de Madrid, Parque Ferial Juan Carlos I. Phone 91-722-5000 or 91-722-5180.
3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 Feb—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
MARCH 2001
3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 Mar—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
8 Mar—Women's Day. In Madrid this international holiday is marked by a parade through the city and parties organized by women's groups at bars and clubs. Theatrical and musical performances by or about women take place on this day.
19 Mar—Feast of St. Joseph. Public holiday.
APRIL 2001
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 Apr—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
12-16 Apr—Semana Santa (Holy Week). Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and the Monday following are public as well as religious holidays. Throughout the week expect to hear organ concerts and view solemn processions. One that occurs in Madrid circulates around La Latina. A particularly eerie and somber procession takes place in Toledo (45 mi/70 km distant).
MAY 2001
1 May—Labor Day. Public holiday, characterized by a workers' march through the city, outdoor grills and bars in Casa de Campo, and stage performances.
2 May—Madrid Day. Public holiday marking the expulsion of Napoleon's army. Live music performed on Plaza Mayor and Parque de las Vistillas.
5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 May—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
15 May—San Isidro's Day. Public holiday in Madrid, honoring the city's patron saint. Festivities associated with this day—fairs, competitions, dancing, music—normally extend into June. During this time bullfights featuring renowned toreadors take place almost daily at Las Ventas.
JUNE 2001
2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 Jun—Soccer. Matches are normally on Sunday at 5 pm; sometimes an 8:30 pm Saturday game will be scheduled. They're held at three different stadiums: Estadio Vicento Calderon (home of the Atletico Madrid club), Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 67. Phone 91-366-4707; Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (home of the Real Madrid club), Paseo de la Castellana 104. Phone 91-344-0052; and Estadio del Rayo Vallecano, Ave. de la Albufera 132. Phone 91-478-2253. Tickets go on sale at the stadiums two days prior to game day. No credit cards.
14 Jun—Corpus Christi. Public holiday.
AUGUST 2001
15 Aug—Feast of the Assumption. Public holiday
[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 12-07-2000).]
Now, everytime someone asks (about 10 per day) what there is to do on XYZ Dates we can refer to your posting. Hurray for mclarke!!!!!
And, you did all this a day or two before going to Spain for the first time! 
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