Madrid kicks off Hispanidad 2026 this Friday, October 2, a cultural program that will run until October 12 featuring over 200 activities including music, dance, film, theater, folklore, gastronomy, exhibitions, and gatherings spread across dozens of venues throughout the region.
The sixth edition will have the United States as the guest country, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of its independence, and will also feature a significant Cuban presence, with free concerts by Arturo Sandoval, Aymée Nuviola, and Cimafunk in the coming days.
The official program of Hispanidad 2026 combines free activities with those that require a ticket or registration, so it is advisable to check the conditions of each proposal before attending.
What free activities can you do 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 noon, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando hosts 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 Kor'sia company for free, with passes available at 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Royal Collections Gallery.
Another option is outside the capital: the Real Coliseo Carlos III in San Lorenzo de El Escorial has scheduled the concert Alonso in Eighteenth-Century Key at 7:00 p.m., which is also included as a free activity.
During this time, you can also visit at the Puerta del Sol the free exhibition 1776 – We The Hispanics, dedicated to recovering the Spanish and Hispanic participation in the independence of the United States. The exhibition will remain open until October 15.
On Saturday: music from New Orleans and a free exhibition
On Saturday, October 3, one of the top 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 for this edition.
That same Saturday, the exhibition Spain and the Hispanics in the Independence of the United States opens at the Gardens of the Vista Alegre Palace, also free of charge. The exhibition features portraits of figures connected to Spanish involvement in American independence and will remain open throughout October.
The grand parade arrives on Sunday at Gran Vía
One of the central events of the first weekend will be the Hispanidad Parade, which will take place along Gran Vía on Sunday, October 4th at 6:00 p.m.
The event will be free and will feature 15 floats, along with 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 and will be accompanied by the sounds of the World Street Brass Band from New Orleans.
Arturo Sandoval will perform for free at the Plaza Mayor
The Cuban presence will continue the following week with one of the most recognized names in Latin jazz. Arturo Sandoval will perform a free concert on Saturday, October 10, at 9:00 p.m. in the Plaza Mayor, according to the official festival program.
One day earlier, on Friday, the 9th at 8:30 p.m., Sandoval will also give a free masterclass at the Babylon Jazz Club, on Cedaceros Street, with free access until capacity is reached.
Aymée Nuviola and Cimafunk: double Cuban event on October 11
On Sunday, October 11, there will be special interest for the Cuban audience. Aymée Nuviola will perform for free at 7:00 p.m. at the multipurpose esplanade of Madrid Río.
The so-called Sonera del Mundo will bring her repertoire of Cuban music, jazz, and Latin rhythms to Madrid in an event that will gather artists from various countries.
Two hours later, at 9:00 p.m., the also Cuban Cimafunk will take the same stage at Madrid Río with his blend of Afro-Cuban music, funk, afrobeat, and hip hop.
Both concerts are explicitly listed as free events in the official schedule.
Sebastián Yatra, Marta Sánchez, and other free concerts
The musical lineup 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 perform a concert at 1:00 p.m. on the 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 pyrotechnic show at 9:30 p.m. in Plaza de Cibeles.
How to check the full schedule
The activities are spread across locations 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 in the Community of Madrid.
The full agenda can be viewed on the official Hispanidad 2026 website, where you can review each activity, its schedule, location, and whether access is free, requires registration, or needs a ticket.
Those who wish to focus on the Cuban presence can mark three dates: October 10 for Arturo Sandoval and October 11 for Aymée Nuviola and Cimafunk, in addition to Cuba's participation this Sunday in the Hispanidad Parade.
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