The Community of Madrid is preparing to host the sixth edition of Hispanidad 2026, which will take place from October 2nd to 12th. The cultural event, focused on the Spanish language and culture, will offer over 150 activities encompassing music, gastronomy, cinema, folklore, art, and heritage in various locations across the capital and the region.
The program, presented by the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sport, Mariano de Paco Serrano, will feature Colombian artist Sebastián Yatra, who will give a free concert on October 10th at Plaza de España under the slogan 'All accents of Spanish fit in Madrid'. This year, the United States is the guest country, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of its independence. Three open-air stages will be set up in Plaza de España, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor, in addition to activities at Parque de Santander and the Gardens of Palacio de Vista Alegre.
De Paco highlighted the importance of Spanish as "the great thread that structures Hispanidad," a language spoken by 600 million people and continuously growing. The program also includes performances by Marta Sánchez at Plaza de España on October 11th, jazz fusion maestro Arturo Sandoval with a Master Class at the Teatro Magno, Cuban singer Aymée Nuviola, the Franco-Venezuelan artist La Chica, the Peruvian group Tipa Tipo, the Colombians Los Cumbia Stars, the Cuban Cimafunk, and Spanish artists such as Lin Cortés and Nat Simons. Flamenco presence will be represented by Corral de la Morería at Plaza Mayor.
In homage to the United States, the World Street Brass Band of New Orleans will perform, along with the show 'From Broadway to Gran Vía', a day on Spanish art collecting in collaboration with the Meadows Museum of Dallas, and the participation of Guam in the Hispanidad Parade. This parade will travel along Gran Vía on October 4th with 15 floats, two of which will be dedicated to Madrid and the United States.
The event will also explore the Hispanic influence on the independence of the United States through the project '1776-We The Hispanics', featuring an exhibition at Puerta del Sol and an analysis day. The forum 'Hispanic Legal Tradition. Culture, Identity, and Challenges in the 21st Century' will be held, along with an initiative by the NFL on American football culture.
As a novelty, the Puente del Rey area will host sports and gastronomic programming. Highlights include the 'Carrera de la Hispanidad Madrid corre en español' (Hispanidad Race Madrid Runs in Spanish) on October 11th and the 'Ágave y Maíz. Gran Festival Mexicano' (Agave and Corn. Great Mexican Festival), organized with Casa de México and Sello Copil.
Institutions such as the Embassy of the United States, the Royal Botanical Garden, the Gallery of Royal Collections, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Casa América, the Cerralbo Museum, the Sefarad-Israel Center, and the Mapfre Foundation are collaborating on the event.
The cultural spaces of the Community of Madrid will also join the celebration. The Teatros del Canal will present 'Baco polaco' and 'Ferial de Calaveras'. At Alcalá 31, 'We the Hispanos. Spain, Root of the United States' will be screened. The Lope de Vega House Museum will host the exhibition 'Pintura de castas' (Caste Painting), and the Teatro Real Coliseo Carlos III in San Lorenzo de El Escorial will offer a concert by Marta Espinós.
The Plaza de Toros de las Ventas will host the 'Corrida de la Hispanidad' (Hispanidad Bullfight) on October 12th. The municipal bands of Arroyomolinos, Chinchón, Móstoles, Navalcarnero, Vallecas, Villa de Madrid, and Villa del Prado will participate in the celebration in the municipalities.
The 2025 edition of Hispanidad broke attendance records, attracting over 900,000 people, a 30% increase from the previous year, generating an economic impact exceeding 46 million euros and a return of almost 10 euros per euro invested, solidifying its position as a leading international event dedicated to Spanish culture.
