Politics · Spain · 2 hrs ago
Spain's National Day parade in Madrid to feature 82 aircraft
Spain marks its National Day on 12 October, a date linked to Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492.
The main public event is a military parade in Madrid, presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
It is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
and will follow a route from near Atocha along the Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos to Plaza de Colón.
After parachutists, the raising of the national flag and a tribute to those who died for Spain, the parade will begin.
An aerial display will include 82 aircraft, while about 4,380 people from the armed forces, security services and other public institutions are expected to take part on the ground.
The event also includes horses, dogs and a goat.
The parade is an annual national event intended to mark Spain's history and its links with the international community.
Spain’s National Day military parade in Madrid is scheduled to feature 82 aircraft in 18 formations.
The parade is set for 12 October and will be presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
The route will run along the Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, ending at Plaza de Colón.
An estimated 4,380 members of the armed forces, security forces and civil institutions are expected to take part.
The day commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492.
- Who
- Spain’s armed forces, security forces and civil institutions will take part. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will preside.
- What
- Madrid’s National Day military parade is scheduled to include an aerial display of 82 aircraft.
- When
- 12 October 2026.
- Where
- Madrid, along the Paseo del Prado and Paseo de Recoletos, ending at Plaza de Colón.
- Why
- Spain’s National Day commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
12 October is a celebration of unity and fraternity, in which we also show our bond with the international community
The central event begins with the arrival of the King and Queen.
The PAPEA parachute team is scheduled to jump, followed by the raising of the national flag and a tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain.
The military parade is scheduled to begin with the Mirlo formation.
The aerial display of 82 aircraft is scheduled to precede the ground parade.
- Aerial display
- 82 aircraft in 18 formations
- Participants
- Estimated 4,380 people, including 3,850 men and 530 women
- Route
- From the Carlos V roundabout by Atocha to Plaza de Colón
- Aircraft formation
- Mirlo pilots are scheduled to fly Pilatus PC-21 aircraft
- Additional participants
- 286 horses, five dogs and one goat
Sources
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Spain’s National Day military air parade is expected around 11:30 in Madrid
