Arganda Mutiny 2025: What to expect at the festival, which has already been declared a Regional Tourist Interest

After 30 years of celebration and the utmost involvement of its residents, the Madrid town of Arganda del Rey celebrates its most emblematic festival under the seal of Regional Tourist Interest . The Community of Madrid recently decided to grant this recognition to the town's most important historical event: the Arganda Mutiny . The celebration, in fact, has established itself as one of the city's most important tourist attractions, and is its most notable intangible heritage.

The festival, held from May 23rd to 25th , will feature a wide variety of shows and activities. The festival commemorates the attempt by the all-powerful Duke of Lerma in 1613. Arganda belonged to the Archbishopric of Toledo until 1583, when Philip II granted it the status of Royal Villa after paying the Crown 10,000 ducats. This status remained in effect until 1613, when it was acquired by the Duke of Lerma.

The purchase gave rise to one of the most significant episodes in the municipality's history: the Arganda Mutiny , an anti-manorial movement motivated by social discontent over the city's ceasing to be a royal town and becoming a domain of the Ducal House of Lerma. The city was then administered by the nobleman and ultimately fell into ruin.

The situation was so severe that the people took to the streets. On September 13, 1613, the townspeople attacked the Duke, throwing themselves at his carriage and insulting him while he was accompanied by the Archbishop of Toledo. The incident was so shameful that he fled the following day.

This Saturday, May 24th, history will once again be reenacted in the town's streets, as it is the main day of the festivities. Theater takes over the town's streets thanks to the actors who are part of the Arganda Volunteer Theater Group, who, after months of work and effort, are commemorating this important event in its history.

Furthermore, this year, the Madrid actor Jesús Cabrero will play Miguel de Cervantes who, although he did not directly participate in the revolt of the town of Arganda in 1613, is said to have witnessed the events as a companion of the Archbishop of Toledo during the takeover of the town by the Duke of Lerma, who will be played by the actor Marcial Álvarez .

Arganda del Rey will witness an incredible fire show during the Arganda Mutiny 2025, brought to you by Drakonia Productions, the company specializing in themed shows, just as it did last year with its exhibition "La llama de Drako." This year it will do so with " Dränia, el origen de la llama ," which will be performed on Saturday, May 24 at 10:30 p.m. in the Plaza de la Amistad entre los Pueblos .

This is a multidisciplinary show lasting approximately one hour, combining various artistic disciplines such as circus, music, stage dance, acrobatics, and theater. All these themes are set in the fantastical world of Dränia and the captivating story of the Mäsul tribe, whose existence is linked to fire. Juggling, aerial silks, and fiery sword fights are some of the maneuvers performed in this visual effects-packed story.

The 2025 Arganda Mutiny will also feature a flight demonstration and bird of prey maneuvers to showcase falconry, one of the most common and habitual practices of the 17th-century nobility.

Organized by Cetrería Ibérica in collaboration with the City Council, under the name 'Cetrería del duque', it will be on Friday, May 23 , starting at 6:00 p.m., in the Plaza de la Constitución .

The birds will be on display until approximately 9:00 p.m., allowing visitors to take photos with them and admire their beautiful flight demonstrations, the City Council said in a statement.

The exhibition aims to highlight one of the most common and habitual practices of the 17th-century nobility: hunting birds of prey for training and domestication. It will showcase some of the birds that formed part of the collection of the Duke of Lerma, owner of the town of Arganda, such as peregrine falcons, Harris's eagles, kestrels, and eagle owls.

Tonight, it's the turn of the long-running Madrid rock band Ñu . Their leader and composer, José Carlos Molina , will give a concert on Friday starting at 10:00 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución.