Jointly organized by the Community of Madrid and the Alcalá de Henares City Council, the event will run from June 12 to July 5, 2026. For four weeks, the city will transform into a grand open-air stage, hosting over 75 performances by 58 companies from 16 countries, encompassing theater, music, dance, circus, and other artistic disciplines.
The presentation of this XXV edition took place at the Teatro Salón Cervantes, with the participation of Santiago Alonso, Culture Councillor; Manuel Lagos, General Director of Culture and Creative Industries of the Community of Madrid; and Clara Pérez, the festival's director.
“"There are festivals that age, and there are festivals that build a city. Clásicos en Alcalá reaches its twenty-fifth edition having done both. It is the perfect tool to highlight our World Heritage City."
This year's motto, 'Celebrate the Classics', was chosen by the public last summer. This slogan reflects a clear intention to honor the cultural legacy and the language shared with America, but with an approach that avoids the rigid solemnity of a museum, seeking a lively and accessible celebration.
The program will feature prominent figures such as Silvia Marsó, Secun de la Rosa, Rafael Álvarez 'El Brujo', Joaquín Notario, Paloma San Basilio, Vicente Soto Sordera, and Chevi Muraday. Works by classical authors like Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, Tirso de Molina, Cervantes, and Quevedo will be performed, alongside contemporary playwrights such as José Luis Alonso de Santos, Juan Carlos Rubio, and Fernando Sansegundo.
Among the most anticipated absolute premieres are 'Los locos de Valencia' by Lope de Vega, 'Nascencia' by the Ballet Español de la Comunidad de Madrid, and 'El lindo don Diego' by Agustín Moreto. Productions like 'La dama boba', 'La Gallarda', and 'De Oro' will also be presented. The festival will have a significant international presence with artists from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Equatorial Guinea, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Scotland, Portugal, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Additionally, local proposals under the 'Creación Alcalá' label will be included, featuring companies and cultural groups from the city, as well as a parallel program comprising academic conferences, professional meetings, and various public activities. The official inauguration will take place on June 12 in the Plaza de Cervantes with a multidisciplinary show culminating in the aerial performance 'Quixote' by the Grupo Puja company.
