Swimming pools open with retro car parade

Madrid opened its 2026 municipal outdoor pool season on May 15 and folded the launch into a broader run of public events tied to San Isidro festivities and International Museum Day. The city said its summer pools will operate through Sept. 6, with an opening-day free-access policy subject to capacity limits. Separate cultural programming in mid-May included concerts, museum activities and a parade of historic vehicles in the capital. City and regional authorities published the schedules on official websites, while the Polytechnic University of Madrid detailed the vehicle event. ### Which pools opened, and how long will they stay in service? Madrid’s city government said 25 outdoor summer pools form part of the 2026 campaign, with the season running from May 15 to Sept. 6. On May 14, municipal spokesperson Inma Sanz said the opening day would be free for all users, subject to attendance limits. The Ayuntamiento de Madrid said 22 outdoor pools were operating from May 15, including sites such as Peñuelas, Concepción, Vicente del Bosque, Casa de Campo, Moratalaz, San Blas and Paseo de la Dirección. Santa Ana, Moscardó and Vallecas were scheduled to open in the first week of June after works were completed, the city said. (madrid.es) The municipal pools page said the city kept three access slots for 2026: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a full-day pass from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The city also said June and July programming would include cardiopulmonary resuscitation workshops and new free express fitness classes included with admission. (madrid.es) ### Where did the historic car parade fit into the week’s events? The Polytechnic University of Madrid said a “Gran Desfile de Vehículos Históricos 2026” was held on May 15 to coincide with San Isidro celebrations. The university said more than 100 historic vehicles — including cars, motorcycles and industrial vehicles — would parade and be exhibited near the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers and Paseo de la Castellana. (madrid.es) The event was organized by the university’s industrial engineering school, the INSIA automobile research institute, the Spanish Association of Automotive Professionals, the Madrid association of industrial engineers and the Spanish federation of antique vehicles, the university said. The university described the event as a public display linking the history of motoring with industrial engineering. (upm.es) A separate event page from the engineering school directed visitors to the full program for the exhibition and parade. Russpain, citing the week’s schedule, said the route ran through central Madrid after a display at the engineering school, though the official university material available in search results focused on the school area and Paseo de la Castellana. (upm.es) ### What museum programming was confirmed for International Museum Day? The Community of Madrid said it scheduled free programming for International Museum Day between May 16 and May 18 at the Lope de Vega House Museum, the Picasso Museum–Eugenio Arias Collection, the Nuevo Baztán Interpretation Center, the CA2M museum in Móstoles, the regional archaeological museum and the Cervantes birthplace museum. The regional government said the annual museum day is observed every May 18. (industriales.upm.es) The regional government said the Lope de Vega House Museum would open exceptionally on Monday, May 18, and that other activities included a theatrical route in the Barrio de las Letras, family workshops at the Picasso museum and a concert and traditional esparto workshop in Nuevo Baztán. The CA2M museum was also presenting three temporary exhibitions, according to the regional program. (comunidad.madrid) ### How did San Isidro shape the rest of the calendar? Madrid’s official San Isidro program said the 2026 festivities ran through mid-May with events across Pradera de San Isidro, Matadero Madrid, Jardines de las Vistillas, Plaza de la Villa and Plaza Mayor. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida presented the program on May 4, and the city said the lineup included Fangoria, Baiuca, Las Ketchup, Los Chunguitos, La Bien Querida and other performers. (comunidad.madrid) On May 18, the city said the 2026 San Isidro celebrations had concluded after 11 days of programming. Madrid reported full crowds at major concert venues and said more than 37,000 people took part in Matadero Madrid activities and verbenas. (sanisidromadrid.com) ### Where can visitors check what remains open after May 22? Madrid’s municipal summer-pools page said operating dates, schedules and related documentation for the 2026 season remain available through the city website. The city said the outdoor pool campaign continues until Sept. 6, while some covered recreational pools also remain available during the summer period. (madrid.es) (madrid.es)