Around 12 October, Madrid is hosting a new edition of this festival that celebrates the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Music, culinary offerings and scores of other activities will liven up the city’s streets. In 2024, Mexico will be the guest country.
12 October Parade
As is traditional, on the 12th, the city will host a military parade which marks Spanish National Day, a day commemorating the country's cultural and linguistic expansion beyond the European continent. Personnel from the Armed Forces, Civil Guard, National Police and Maritime Rescue take part in the parade accompanied by ground vehicles and aircrafts.
During the event, which kicks off with the arrival of the King and Queen, the king inspects the troops and greets members of the government. Other highlights of the parade include the descent of a parachuter carrying a giant Spanish flag, the Spanish Legion marching with their pet goat, the solemn raising of the National Flag, which pays tribute to those who’ve died for their country, and the flypast of the Spanish Air Force
