San Lorenzo de El Escorial hosts patron saint festivities and the new Escena Escorial summer arts festival

The municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial announced its patron saint festivals, scheduled from 8 to 15 August. The programme includes a traditional opening speech by trumpeter Marcos Quesada Martín, a fireworks launch, a family disco, performances by the Veracruz mariachis, chocolate with churros, games, concerts, tribute nights and other cultural activities. Mayor Carlota López Estéban said the varied schedule combines tradition with new proposals and will boost local commerce and hospitality.

At the same time, the town is launching the Escena Escorial festival, which will run from 15 August to 19 September and feature 14 performances across venues such as the Auditorio, the Real Coliseo Carlos III and the Teatro de la Antigua Mina. Under artistic direction by Alondra de la Parra, the line‑up includes pianist Grigory Sokolov, violinist Nemanja Radulović, the West‑Eastern Divan Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim, a contemporary reinterpretation of Bizet’s Carmen and a range of dance and theatre works.