The Giants and Big-Heads Parade of Alcalá de Henares will be one of the main highlights of the 2026 Fairs, featuring both exhibitions and street parades through the city's various neighborhoods. The exhibition ‘The Giants and Big-Heads Parade’ opened its doors at the Capilla del Oidor, although the giants' participation in morning tours meant not all figures were on display simultaneously.
Attendees can enjoy the parade, including Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, whose figures have been restored thanks to the collaboration of the Department of Historical Heritage. This year's novelty is the addition of a new giant: 'The Barber'.
Meticulous work has been done to recover the figure of Sancho Panza, recreating it faithfully to its appearance over 50 years ago in Alcalá's streets. Similarly, Don Quixote has undergone a comprehensive restoration. The Councilor for Historical Heritage, Vicente Pérez, detailed the process of gathering graphic information and modeling in clay to achieve maximum fidelity, using resistant and lightweight materials like polyester for reproduction and detailed painting finishes.
The restoration of Don Quixote included recovering its external appearance and reinforcing its metal cuirass body with a lightweight aluminum interior structure for easier assembly and better support for the carrier. The sewing workshop also crafted a new skirt to maintain the overall aesthetic of the parade.
The figure of Maese Nicolás 'the barber', inspired by the character from the animated series of Don Quixote de la Mancha, stems from a project initiated in 2023 and joins as the eighth member of the Cervantine Parade. Eduardo Escolar (giant maker), Martín Munuera (sculptor), and Isabel Portillo (seamstress) participated in its creation.
The Giants Parade of Alcalá de Henares has also made improvements to other figures, such as replacing polystyrene bodies with fiberglass structures for El Gitano, El Gordo, El Demonio, La Bruja, and El Gepeto, enhancing their resistance. Additionally, the costumes of El Gitano, El Flaco, and El Gordo have been renewed.
The Councilor for Festivals and Popular Traditions, Antonio Saldaña, invited citizens and visitors to enjoy this tradition, highlighting its legacy and promising future.
The street parades of the Giants Parade will take place across all city districts from Sunday, August 23rd to Saturday, August 29th, with specific times and routes each day, usually starting from the Plaza de Cervantes. On Sundays, August 23rd and 30th, parades will begin at 10:00 AM, and from August 23rd to 28th, afternoons will feature parades by the Association of Young Giant and Big-Head Makers 'Los Pequeñantes' starting at 7:30 PM.
