Thursday, April 23, 2026, marks the peak of the celebrations. In the morning, the Paseo de la Chopera hosts the traditional public reading of Don Quixote as part of the Arganzuela Book Fair, while libraries across the city organize workshops, reading clubs, and children's activities.

One of the most prominent events is the uninterrupted reading of Don Quixote at the Círculo de Bellas Artes de Madrid, celebrating its 30th edition. The opening of this event is led by the Cervantes Prize 2025 winner, and throughout the day, readings, artistic interventions, dramatizations, and music take place, transforming the building into a vibrant space dedicated to Cervantes.

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to museums, libraries, and cultural centers with dramatized readings, round tables, and workshops. Notable activities include those dedicated to Mary Shelley at the Museo de Historia de Madrid and gatherings at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo.

A key moment arrives at 7:00 PM with the Meet & Read event, held in Plaza Matadero, within the Matadero Madrid complex. Conceived as a literary picnic, this outdoor gathering combines literature, music, and citizen participation, featuring sessions led by a popularizer, an improvised literary consultancy, and musical ambiance by a composer and DJ. The space transforms into an open library until 10:00 PM.

In parallel, the Community of Madrid is promoting, from this Thursday until April 26, the first edition of Libromad, an evolution of La Noche de los Libros that extends the celebration to four days with over 400 activities across the region. This program brings together more than 300 authors, 130 bookstores, and 120 libraries, aiming to foster direct contact between readers and creators.

The grand finale of the festivities will take place on April 26 in Plaza de España, which will be transformed into a literary stage with collective readings, author encounters, family concerts, performances, and a mini book fair.