Madrid kicks off Hispanidad 2026 this Friday, October 2, a cultural program that will run until October 12 with over 200 activities including music, dance, film, theater, folklore, gastronomy, exhibitions, and meetings taking place across dozens of venues in the region.
The sixth edition will feature the United States as the guest country, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of its independence, and will also include a notable Cuban presence, with free concerts by Arturo Sandoval, Aymée Nuviola, and Cimafunk in the coming days.
The official programming of Hispanidad 2026 combines free activities with others that require tickets or registration, so it's advisable to check the conditions of each proposal before attending.
What can you do for free this Friday, October 2nd?
The program begins this Friday with activities at various locations in Madrid and other municipalities in the region.
At 12:00 PM, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando will host the concert by La Folía dedicated to music related to the independence of the United States. The event is listed as free in the agenda of the Community of Madrid.
You can also attend The Cave by the company Kor'sia for free, with passes available for 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Gallery of the Royal Collections.
Another option is outside the capital: the Real Coliseo Carlos III in San Lorenzo de El Escorial has scheduled the concert Alonso en clave dieciochesca at 7:00 p.m., which is also included as a free activity.
During this time, you can also visit the free exhibition 1776 – We The Hispanics at Puerta del Sol, dedicated to highlighting the Spanish and Hispanic participation in the independence of the United States. The exhibition will remain open until October 15.
On Saturday: New Orleans music and a free exhibition
On Saturday, October 3rd, one of the main free events will be the performance of World Street Brass Band at 6:00 p.m. in Santander Park.
The band brings to the stage the musical tradition of New Orleans and the so-called second line, in line with the prominence of the United States as the guest country in this edition.
That same Saturday, the exhibition Spain and Hispanics in the Independence of the United States opens at the Gardens of the Palace of Vista Alegre, also with free admission. The exhibit features portraits of figures associated with Spanish involvement in the American independence and will be open throughout October.
The great Cavalcade arrives on Sunday at Gran Vía
One of the central events of the first weekend will be the Hispanidad Parade, which will travel along Gran Vía on Sunday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m.
The show will be free and will feature 15 floats, as well as artists, dancers, musicians, acrobats, and representatives from numerous countries and territories.
Cuba will be among the participating delegations, alongside countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and the United States, among others.
The U.S. delegation will play a prominent role in the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, accompanied by the sounds of the World Street Brass Band from New Orleans.
Arturo Sandoval will perform for free at Plaza Mayor
The Cuban presence will continue the following week with one of the most recognized names in Latin jazz. Arturo Sandoval will give a free concert on Saturday, October 10 at 9:00 p.m. in the Plaza Mayor, according to the official festival brochure.
One day prior, on Friday the 9th at 8:30 p.m., Sandoval will also give a free masterclass at the Babylon Jazz Club, located on Cedaceros Street, with free entry until capacity is reached.
Aymée Nuviola and Cimafunk: double Cuban event on October 11
The Sunday, October 11 will be of special interest to the Cuban public. Aymée Nuviola will perform for free at 7:00 p.m. at the Puerta del Sol.
The "Sonera del Mundo" will bring her repertoire of Cuban music, jazz, and Latin rhythms to Madrid as part of an event that will gather artists from various countries.
Two hours later, at 9:00 p.m., the fellow Cuban Cimafunk will take the same stage at Puerta del Sol with his blend of Afro-Cuban music, funk, afrobeat, and hip hop.
Both concerts are explicitly listed as free activities in the official schedule.
Sebastián Yatra, Marta Sánchez, and other free concerts
The music agenda also includes several large-format concerts. Sebastián Yatra will perform for free on October 10 at 8:30 p.m. in Plaza de España.
On the 11th, Marta Sánchez will hold a concert at 1:00 p.m. on that same stage, while the Colombian group Aterciopelados is scheduled for October 9th at 9:00 p.m.
The closing event on October 12 will include, among other proposals, a free concert by Carlos Baute at 8:00 p.m. in Plaza de España and a pyromusical show at 9:30 p.m. in Plaza de Cibeles.
How to check the entire schedule
The activities are distributed across places such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Parque de Santander, and the Gardens of the Palacio de Vista Alegre, as well as theaters, museums, concert halls, and municipalities of the Community of Madrid.
The complete schedule can be consulted on the official Hispanidad 2026 website, where it is possible to review each activity, its timing, location, and whether access is free, requires registration, or needs a ticket.
Those who want to focus on the Cuban presence can mark three dates: October 10 for Arturo Sandoval and October 11 for Aymée Nuviola and Cimafunk, as well as Cuba's participation this Sunday in the Cabalgata de la Hispanidad.
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