From August 4 to 9, the historic centre of Alcalá de Henares will be filled with concerts, children's activities, and religious events in honour of the patrons Justo and Pastor.
The city of Alcalá is preparing for one of its most significant festive events of the summer. The 2026 Fiestas de los Santos Niños, organised by the Department of Festivities and Popular Traditions and the Municipal Board of District I of Alcalá de Henares, will take place from August 4 to 9 in the historic centre, featuring a programme that combines tradition, culture, and leisure for all ages.
The main day will be August 6, the feast day of the patrons Justo and Pastor, but the agenda kicks off on Monday, August 3, with a lecture by the official chronicler of the city, M. Vicente Sánchez Moltó, titled 'Justo and Pastor: the origin of a city', in the Capuchinos auditorium at 18:30. Following this, at 19:30, a mass will be held for the deceased of the diocese at the Cathedral Magistral.
The festive offerings include concerts, dances, family workshops, sports tournaments, culinary events, and collective exhibitions of local art. Among them, the painting and sculpture exhibition 'Pincel y cincel', curated by Antonio Luengo Noriega, will be open from August 3 to 16. The complete programme can be consulted in PDF format on the City Council's website.
The activities are concentrated in District I, the historic core of the city, where most of the venues are located. The organisation collaborates with entities, associations, clubs, businesses, and residents, who actively participate in the development of the events.
For residents of the Community of Madrid, these festivities represent an opportunity to enjoy a traditional atmosphere just a few kilometres from the capital. Access to most events is free, although some require free tickets until full capacity is reached, such as the inaugural lecture.
The religious programme holds special significance, with masses and processions in honour of the Santos Niños, who have been the patrons of Alcalá since the 16th century. The tradition dates back to the martyrdom of the children Justo and Pastor, whose story is linked to the origin of the city.
In addition to the religious events, the nights in Alcalá will feature concerts of various musical styles, aimed at attracting both a young and family audience. The youngest will have their space with children's activities and creative workshops taking place in squares and streets of the old town.
Gastronomy will also have its place, with offerings that revive traditional flavours from the area. The sports tournaments, on the other hand, encourage citizen participation in a fun and healthy environment.
The exhibition 'Pincel y cincel' brings together works by local artists and will be open for two weeks, becoming one of the longest-running cultural events of the festivities. The curator, Antonio Luengo Noriega, has selected pieces that reflect the creativity of the artistic scene in Alcalá.
The festivities will conclude on August 9, but the exhibition will remain until the 16th, providing an additional incentive for those wishing to extend their visit to the city. The main events will take place around Plaza de Cervantes and Calle Mayor, the axes of the historic centre.
The City Council invites residents of Madrid to discover the heritage of Alcalá de Henares, declared a World Heritage Site, during these festive days. The city thus strengthens its summer tourist offer, with a programme that combines devotion, culture, and entertainment.
For more information, interested parties can consult the complete programme on the City Council's website or at local tourist offices. The activities are designed for all audiences, and most do not require prior registration.
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