What to do in Madrid in diciembre

Three Kings parade on January 5, 6-9 pm, from Nuevos Ministerios down Castellana to Cibeles with fireworks at the end.

Peak almond blossom at Quinta de los Molinos — by late February the whole park turns pink and white in full bloom.

ARCOmadrid contemporary art fair March 4-8 at IFEMA — 211 galleries from 30 countries take over the capital.

Holy Week through April 5 — all Thursday and Good Friday processions cross Puerta del Sol, 100 drums close Plaza Mayor on Easter.

San Isidro festival May 7-17 — pradera dancing, chotis, vermut and fireworks on May 15 for the city's patron saint.

Madrid Book Fair at Retiro May 29 to June 14 — 365 booths and roughly 7,000 author signings under the park's chestnut trees.

MADO Pride parade down Castellana on July 4 — Europe's biggest pride march, stages at Plaza España and Pedro Zerolo all weekend.

Old-Madrid verbenas: San Cayetano (Aug 5-8), San Lorenzo (Aug 9-12), La Paloma (Aug 14-17) in Embajadores, Lavapiés and La Latina.

New theater season opens — Teatros del Canal Sept 17 and Teatro Español Sept 19, with 90+ shows lined up through next June.

October 12 military parade down Castellana and Recoletos — National Day with a paratrooper carrying the flag and a flypast of 45 aircraft.

Peak fall color in Retiro — the Paseo de Estatuas and Estanque framed by maples and oaks in gold and crimson at golden hour.