WE New Year Festival Madrid 2025
- 28 Dec - 1 Jan
- Madrid
Madrid—the city that rarely sleeps—goes full throttle as the calendar flips to 2025 with the WE New Year Festival, an annual winter extravaganza for the lgbtq+Q+ crowd that’s more than just parties. It's like the city pulses differently when WE Party throws down its gaudy, joyful flag late December through early January.
Over recent years, this festival has become a multi-night, themed-fueled takeover of venues like Sala La Riviera, Fabrik, and other big club spaces known for epic lighting, sweaty dance floors, wild DJs, and unapologetic fun. It usually runs for about five days—spanning December 27 to January 1—starting with opening bashes, sliding into late-night after-parties, and building toward the massive New Year’s Eve countdown and the legendary New Year’s Day main party. Each night has its own personality, with international DJs, dancers, and production that doesn’t hold back on visuals or sound.
For 2025, the full lineup hasn’t been revealed yet, but the rhythm of the past tells us to expect a series of lead-up parties, a monumental countdown bash as the year changes, and the kind of follow-up events that stretch the celebration well past midnight into sunrise. The New Year’s Day party often stands out—an eight-hour marathon of music, performance, and dance that blurs the line between night and day.
The venues themselves are part of the draw. Fabrik, with space for thousands, hosts some of the largest nights, where you can feel the bass from the parking lot. Sala La Riviera, closer to the city center, offers a slightly more intimate but equally charged atmosphere. Each space is transformed with elaborate stage setups, choreographed performances, and a crowd that’s fully committed to the moment.
Tickets vary depending on the night. Smaller themed events and warm-up parties might be more affordable, while the main events and closing nights command higher prices. For those who want the full experience, all-access passes cover the entire festival and guarantee entry to every party without worrying about sellouts.
For lgbtq+Q+ travelers, the festival isn’t just a string of club nights—it’s a meeting point. People fly in from across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. The crowd is international but unified by the shared energy of celebration, music, and connection. Whether you arrive solo or with friends, you quickly find yourself pulled into conversations, dancing with strangers who feel like instant companions.
Even outside the festival venues, Madrid feels electric during this time. Chueca, the city’s lgbtq+Q+ heart, overflows with life—bars, cafés, and restaurants buzzing with pre-party energy, and streets that seem to hum with anticipation. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the afternoon recovering over tapas and vermouth before diving right back into the nightlife.
While WE New Year Festival stands on its own, it also mirrors the city’s summer Pride celebrations, sharing that same combination of spectacle and intimacy. It’s as much about the massive production as it is about those smaller, spontaneous moments—laughing with a stranger, losing yourself in a track you’ve never heard before, or stepping outside at dawn to feel the cool air after hours of dancing.
If your plan is to experience it in full, aim to be in Madrid for the last days of December and the first of January. You’ll catch the festival at its peak, surrounded by people who came for the same reason—to end one year and start the next in a place where the party never feels like it has to stop.
Upcoming Mega Events Nearby
Here are a suggestions to enhance your overall experience;
1. Attend the celebration; The festivals main event is usually held on New Years Eve and is one of the highlights of the occasion. Its recommended to dress up and arrive early to avoid queues.
2. Explore the city; Madrid boasts a captivating blend of history and culture so take some time to discover its landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Prado Museum and Retiro Park.
3. Connect with individuals; The festival presents an excellent opportunity to meet people from various parts of the world. Engage in conversations with faces and forge new friendships.
4. Indulge in gastronomy; Madrid is renowned for its delectable cuisine so make sure you savor some regional delights like paella, churros or cocido.
5. Prioritize safety; It's crucial to prioritize your well being especially if you find yourself out late at night. Stick to lit areas and consider traveling in groups when possible.
