An eclectic festival of live musical performance that has an intimate feel thanks to its privileged surroundings and excellent programme of music and more.
Spain’s Summer Festivals
Among the popular attractions offered by Spain during the summer months is an extraordinary number of music festivals hosted throughout its geography, from the urban electronic of Barcelona’s Sónar, to the raver’s favourite FIB (Festival Internacional de Benicàssim) in Valencia to the Azenka Rock festival of Vitoria-Gasteiz (capital city of the Basque Country). But of all the locations perhaps the most varied and high-profile is Madrid which includes Mad Cool Festival (early July), A Summer Story (late June) and Noches del Botánico which this year celebrates its fourth edition.
A rare hybrid of outdoor venue with a comfortable ambience that includes everything from folk to flamenco, samba to rock, electronic to jazz.
The venue for Noches del Botánico is the El Real Jardín Botánico de Alfonso XIII accommodated within the campus of the Complutense University of Madrid, situated to the North West of the capital city in close proximity to Palacio de la Moncloa, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Spain. This year the festival dates take place between the 20th of June till the 31st of July with a packed programme of varied artists that features a line-up of national and international artists. Established and up-and-coming acts that provide music fans with an opportunity to see some of their favourites perform live, or discover new talents within an idyllic setting, just a few metro stops away from Madrid’s city centre.
Highlights of the 2019 Edition
Since the first confirmations were announced, there are already more than 40,000 tickets sold. In this edition, as a novelty, it will have 31 nights, two more than in 2018.
Woody Allen, Keane, Andrés Calamaro y Loreena Mckennit (whi has already announced second date), are some of the artists that have sold out tickets. Some of the artists who will complete the Festival are, among others, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Dead capo, Tank and The Bangas, Juanes, Monsieur Periné, Niña Pastori, LP, CharlieWinston, Pink Martini and O Sister!
Madrid’s Great Outdoors
The gardens of El Real Jardín Botánico de Alfonso XIII include an area of 6,000 sq.m. with over 800 varieties of plants and shrubs arranged within a circular layout that provides the perfect conditions for an urban summer festival; open space, clean air, well connected to the city’s transport system and best of all, no neighbours. The covered stage with outdoor seating in raked stands occupies the centre of the precinct, while the WCs, first aid and other amenities are near at hand. Madrid’s summer nights can be very hot so Noches del Botánico has become very popular, offering not only a programme of music but also a gastronomic smorgasbord of foodtrucks as well as design market with fashion and jewellery items as well as other merchandising on sale.
Perfectly communicated and accessible, the site has all the necessary ingredients (nature, fresh air, starry sky, magical and exclusive environment), to enjoy the best artistic programming on summer nights in Madrid).
A City within a City
The Complutense University of Madrid is one of the oldest universities in the world and dates back to the 13th Century, its name is derived from the Latin word for its first location Alcalá de Henares. The current location dates from 1927 when the Spanish monarch Alfonso XIII ceded state lands to establish the University City of Madrid which since the 1970s accommodates both the Complutense University and the Technical University of Madrid. A rambling area of parkland and green space with individual faculty buildings at the heart of which is the Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII situated on the Av. Complutense between the faculties of Pharmacy, Information Science and Botany. With a student population of approximately 90 000 students, the Complutense is Spain’s most important university.
Practical Information
Accommodation
For visitors to Madrid during the Noches del Botánico we highly recommend making a reservation at either The Principal Madrid or the Hotel Único Madrid, both hotels are centrally located and within easy distance from El Real Jardín Botánico de Alfonso XIII. The Principal Madrid, located at the start of Madrid’s most lively street Gran Vía, —Marques de Valdeiglesias, 1— is a great choice for anyone who wants to be at the very centre of all that the capital has to offer. The Hotel Único Madrid on the other hand is ideal for visitors looking for a calmer stay, with an understated luxury that is nevertheless within easy reach of everything.
Getting there
Because the venue is part of the university its transport connections with the city are excellent. The metro stop Ciudad Universitaria (l6) is only a few hundred meters away fromt eh precinct, as well as a number of bus routes including the 82, 132, F, G, U and N20.
Private parking is also available and a bicycle lane brings cyclists straight to the venue entrance.
Times
The times vary according to the artist so check web for details. We highly recommend you to check the list of artists who will take part in Noches del Botánico 2019. You will find them on the website.
Entrance Tickets
The best place to find tickets is the Noches del Botánico official website, where you can get them from 40 euros.
