evestrauss, there'll surely still be scaffolding here and there around Madrid but doubt this will hinder your lodging experience on/near the Puerta del Sol.

Tim Hortons Man, the stage in Puerta del Sol is for the "DOS DE MAYO", "Community of Madrid Day" event - a community-wide holiday (no-work day). I've been watching TeleMadrid TV where they've been having coverage of those attending and speaches made at the indoor event in the Real Casa de Correos. This is the first time I've seen the inside of this building.

In Plaza Mayor there's a large stand to take secondhand-or-new BOOK donations for the country of Guatemala.

Saludos, MadridMan