The Community of Madrid Autumn Festival, considered to be Spain’s best performing arts festival, will be holding its 44th edition from 6 to 26 November 2026, with a programme that stands out for its marked international context. This event includes the best theatre, dance and performance shows that will fill different cultural spaces around the city, such as Teatros del Canal, Conde Duque or the Teatro de La Abadía, among others.
This edition of the festival includes a historic celebration, namely the 250th anniversary of American independence. This event is of major importance throughout America, given that it was the first colonial territory on the continent to break ties with the European metropolis. 1776 marked the birth of a nation alongside an era of revolutions and shared ideals of freedom and hope that totally changed our world.
Over the past 250 years, the stamp of American creators in universal art has been undeniable and for this reason, the 2026 edition of the Autumn Festival pays tribute to these brilliant minds who have defied the norm.
The festival opens with Since I´ve Been Me, a tribute to the Portuguese Pessoa poet, Bob Wilson, a genius that revolutionised contemporary theatre by transforming the light, space and time in visual poetry. This edition pays a posthumous tribute to the pioneer of interdisciplinarity.
The festival recognises the influence of North American rhythms, ranging from jazz and blues roots to the energy of rock, pop and hip-hop. Its impact is not only reflected on major stages, but also on the streets and in our headphones. The Festival will feature artists and companies like La Mezcla, Sorvina and Izo FitzRoy.
The dance programme pays tribute to iconic choreographies that broke the rules of classical ballet by bringing contemporary dance to life, represented by its heirs, the innovative choreographers, such as Faye Driscoll, from California, with the Cullberg Ballet and Trajal Harrell, from Georgia, USA, with her company, the Zürich Dance Ensemble.
In addition to placing the limelight on the United States, the programme looks towards the entire American continent, Africa and Europe. Countries like Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland and Uruguay will enter into dialogue in Madrid throughout November.
Productions that include talent of more than one origin or country, such as Deserto, a staging by the Brazilian director Luiz Felipe Reis, which brings Bolaño from Chile, one of the most influential authors in the Spanish language whose work and life united his homeland, Mexico, Spain and Latin America. Or La Ira de Narciso, based on the work of Sergio Blanco from Uruguay and directed by Xavier Albertí.
See Full Programme
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