Madrid adorned with Spanish flags & people heading to the city centre to celebrate El Día Nacional de España, also known as El Día de la Hispanidad, is celebrated every year on 12th of October.

This day marks the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America in 1906. It is marked with the raising of Spain’s National Flag in Madrid by the king of Spain.Just in case you want to get a glance of our king!! The flag raising ceremony is followed by a military parade which showcases the country’s weapons and artillery. An air show also takes place with the armed forces performing acrobatic maneuvers in the air. The event will begin at 11.00h from Plaza de Cuzco, with the arrival of the King, the military honors, the parachute jump and the hoisting and homage to the National Flag. Once these activities are finished, the air and land parade will take place at 11.30h. At the end of the tour, the farewell of the King will take place at 13.00h and the national flag will be lowered in Plaza de Colón.

Its not just a civil holiday, Madrid opens several of its museums for free with extended hours for the madrileños. Like Museo del Prado, El Reina Sofia, El Thyssen also Museo Sorolla, Museo Nacional de Antropología, Museo del Romanticismo are free on this day.