Criticism over Mad Cool 2026 festival objection period

An opposition councilor denounces the insufficient five-day period to review the event's file, which affects thousands of people.

Generic image of a microphone on a podium, symbolizing a political debate or public hearing.
IA

Generic image of a microphone on a podium, symbolizing a political debate or public hearing.

A councilor from Más Madrid has criticized the five-day objection period set by the Madrid City Council for the Mad Cool 2026 festival, demanding a reopening of the deadline for effective public participation.

The political group has expressed its dissatisfaction with the brief period granted to submit objections to the Mad Cool 2026 festival. According to the councilor, five days are insufficient to review a file that daily impacts 57,000 people for five nights, with music until dawn in residential areas.

"They have only given five days to object, five days to review a file that daily affects 57,000 people for 5 nights, with music until dawn, in full residential areas. This is anything but citizen participation."

a Más Madrid councilor
Among the objections presented by the group, the "manifest insufficiency" of the deadline for an event of Mad Cool's complexity and impact is highlighted. Furthermore, the document warns about the "provisionality," "insufficiency, and inconsistencies" in the proposed Mobility Plan.
The councilor pointed out the lack of planning and deficiencies in the mobility and acoustic arrangements. The plan does not provide adequate parking space, despite the expectation that a significant portion of attendees will arrive by car. It is criticized that the plan repeats the same scheme as the previous year, which "failed spectacularly."
Likewise, it is warned that, although public transport is available, some nearby stations are not easily accessible on foot, and the planned reinforcements are similar to those of last year, which proved insufficient. The group questions the effectiveness of these measures if they are not improved.
To guarantee residents' right to rest, it is requested that the technical services of the Madrid City Council intensify inspections and sound emission measurements during the different phases of the festival. The event's acoustic study concludes that legal noise limits will be exceeded, and the promoter itself has requested the City Council to "temporarily suspend these limits."

"In other words, a license is requested to break the law, and the mayor is about to grant it."

a Más Madrid councilor
The councilor has demanded a thorough review of the mobility plan and acoustic guarantees, suggesting that if they are not accredited, the license should be denied. He concluded that Madrid should not allow its neighborhoods to become the "backyard of private events" that benefit a few and create problems for everyone else.