Madrid · getting around and how they talk
12 October, the Hispanidad parade
12 October, the Fiesta Nacional or Día de la Hispanidad, is a public holiday: the armed forces parade down the Paseo de la Castellana past the King and the government, with a flypast that trails red and yellow smoke over the city. Shops close, the Retiro and the bars fill.
When: 12 October only, parade about 11:00 to 13:00 on the Castellana; the flypast is the moment.