Where does the flag go up?

At the royal stand on Paseo del Prado, between the start at Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V and Cibeles. The official route map (linked below) marks it. The flag raising and the paratrooper jump happen there, while the planes and the marching troops pass the whole route.

In what order does it run?

From 11am: the King and Queen arrive, military honors and the troop review, the paratrooper jump, the flag raising and the tribute to the fallen, a jet formation flyover, the air parade, the ground parade, and the royal farewell.

Can we watch it from home?

Yes. The Defense Ministry streams it live on its 12 de Octubre site, which helps if a younger kid is not up for the crowd.

National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado

Name: National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado
Start: 2026-10-12
End: 2026-10-12
Location: Paseo del Prado (parade start)

Featured inMadrid with Kids in Autumn

National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado photo 2

National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado photo 3

National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado photo 4

National Day Military Parade on Paseo del Prado photo 5

This event has ended

FestivalMadrid

Where

Retiro, Paseo del Prado (parade start)

Ages

All ages

Setting

Outdoors

What you need to know

Route runs Atocha to Colón, along Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, so you can watch from any stretch in between
Look up before the troops come: the paratrooper jump and the air parade come before the ground parade
Animals in the lineup, including the Legion's goat, a mounted National Police squadron and rescue-dog teams

About

Spain's National Day military parade, opened by the King and Queen. A paratrooper lands with a giant Spanish flag, jets and helicopters fly over, then about 4,380 soldiers, police and rescue crews pass with armored vehicles, horses, rescue dogs and the Legion's goat mascot. It is a formal ceremony with a lot of standing, so it suits kids who can wait for the big moments.

Free

Dates

Oct 12, 2026

Event Ended

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Where it is

Paseo del Prado (parade start)

Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V, 28012 Madrid

Getting there

Metro: Estación del Arte (1 min walk), Atocha (4 min walk), Palos de La Frontera (7 min walk)
Bus: Museo Reina Sofía (1 min walk), Museo De Antropología (3 min walk), Estación de Atocha (4 min walk)