Your Guide to August and Early September 2026
A special summer edition from Mad Black Cat
Summer has a rhythm all of its own.
The pace of political life slows a little. Schools close for the holidays. Airports become busier than ever. Beaches fill with families enjoying well-earned breaks, while sporting events continue to capture the attention of millions around the world.
Rather than our usual weekly look ahead, we’re taking a slightly different approach during August. This special edition looks ahead over the next five weeks, highlighting the stories, events and dates worth knowing before our regular Week Ahead returns in September.
Whether you’re spending the summer travelling, working, welcoming visitors or simply enjoying a quieter pace of life, here’s what to look out for.
Spain: A Summer at Full Speed
Spain enters the busiest part of its tourism season.
Across the Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and inland destinations, millions of visitors continue to enjoy everything the country has to offer. Restaurants, cafés, hotels and local businesses remain exceptionally busy, while many residents welcome friends and family arriving from across Europe.
The warm weather is expected to remain a feature throughout August, with temperatures regularly climbing into the thirties across much of the country. As always, sensible precautions including hydration, suitable clothing and avoiding the hottest part of the day remain important.
Road travel also reaches its annual peak.
Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic has activated its annual Operación Verano, with more than 104 million long-distance journeys expected during July and August. Additional Guardia Civil patrols, traffic management centres, helicopters, drones and roadside assistance will all help manage what is expected to be one of the busiest summers on Spain’s roads.
One of the most unusual events of the summer arrives on 12 August, when a partial solar eclipse will be visible across Spain.
Although the most dramatic views will be further north, many people are expected to travel specifically to experience the event. Because of this, the DGT is implementing a special traffic operation, warning motorists never to stop on motorways or hard shoulders to observe the eclipse and encouraging anyone wishing to watch it to do so from safe, designated locations.
It’s a reminder that even extraordinary events are best enjoyed safely.
Towards the end of the summer, attention will gradually begin turning towards the new school year.
Although dates vary between autonomous communities, schools in the Valencian Community are currently expected to return on 9 September, signalling the end of another busy summer holiday.
Aviation and Travel
August remains one of Europe’s busiest travel months.
Spanish airports including Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández, Málaga-Costa del Sol, Palma de Mallorca, Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat and Tenerife continue operating at very high passenger levels, with airlines adding capacity wherever possible.
Flights between Spain and the United Kingdom remain among Europe’s busiest holiday routes, while visitors continue arriving from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavia.
Travellers should continue allowing additional time at airports, particularly during weekends and major holiday changeover days.
Spain’s excellent rail network remains an increasingly popular way to travel between major cities, while ferry services also experience particularly high demand throughout August.
Whether travelling by road, rail, sea or air, planning ahead and allowing a little flexibility will help make every journey more enjoyable.
United Kingdom: A Month Between Seasons
Although Westminster traditionally slows during August, several important events remain firmly on the calendar.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to continue his nationwide listening tour, visiting communities across the country ahead of Parliament’s return in September.
Education also comes into focus with A-Level results followed by GCSE results, marking an important period for students and families.
The Edinburgh Fringe once again transforms Scotland’s capital into one of the world’s largest arts festivals, while Notting Hill Carnival brings another colourful celebration to London at the end of the month.
Football also returns.
The English Football League begins its new season before the Community Shield and the Premier League signal the return of another busy football calendar.
Parliament returns on 1 September, followed by the first Prime Minister’s Questions of the new parliamentary session.
Europe: Looking Towards Autumn
Across Europe, August combines holidays with important events.
The European Athletics Championships bring together many of the continent’s leading competitors, while the UEFA Super Cup opens another season of European club football.
Cycling fans will enjoy the start of the Vuelta a España, while Formula One visits both the Netherlands and Italy before attention gradually turns towards the final races of the season.
A partial solar eclipse on 12 August will also be visible across much of Europe, making it one of the month’s most anticipated natural events.
The Wider World
Although governments often work at a slightly slower pace during August, the business world certainly does not.
Major companies including Apple, Google, Meta, Nvidia, Amazon, Shell, SpaceX and many others publish financial results, offering valuable insight into the global economy and the continuing development of artificial intelligence and technology.
International diplomacy also continues, while central bankers, economists and policymakers gather later in the month at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium to discuss the global financial outlook.
Sport and Culture
August offers something for almost every sporting taste.
The Commonwealth Games conclude, the Women’s Tour de France reaches its climax, the Vuelta a España begins, football returns across Europe, Formula One continues its summer calendar and the US Open rounds off another remarkable sporting month.
Away from sport, festivals, concerts, exhibitions and community celebrations continue reminding us that summer is about much more than headlines.
Looking Ahead
Summer has a way of changing our routines.
The roads become busier.
The evenings become longer.
The beaches become fuller.
Families spend more time together.
And somehow the world seems to move at a slightly different pace.
Before long, schools will return, Parliament will resume, and our regular Week Ahead will once again follow the rhythm of current events.
Until then, enjoy the summer.
Take time to discover somewhere new.
Spend time with the people who matter most.
And remember that sometimes the best journeys are the ones we never planned.
We’ll see you again in September.
