In 2026, Madrid’s cultural scene is set to explode with new exhibitions and art projects. The city becomes a stage for daring experiments, major premieres, and unexpected encounters with art. Here, it’s not just about displaying paintings—entire worlds are created, inviting the viewer to become part of the experience. This season, Spain’s capital offers such a diverse program that even the most discerning visitor will find something to enjoy.
Organizers aren’t sticking to traditional formats: classic exhibitions are being replaced by immersive shows, multimedia installations, and large-scale retrospectives. The spotlight is on not only celebrated masters but also new voices redefining contemporary art. In early 2026, Madrid is where past and future meet face to face.
A Journey into History
One of the most anticipated premieres of the season is an immersive exhibition dedicated to Cleopatra. Here, antiquity comes to life through holograms, virtual reality, and stunning set designs. Visitors find themselves in the heart of Hellenistic Egypt, where they can not only see, but even ‘converse’ with Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony. This type of exhibition is a rarity even for Madrid, known for its appetite for bold experiments.
The exhibition is divided into several themed zones, each revealing a separate chapter in the life of Egypt’s last queen. Special attention is paid to details: from recreated household items to digital palace reconstructions. Here, history stops being abstract and becomes a personal experience for every visitor.
Modern Challenges
The anniversary exhibition Metamorphoses: Space and Society offers yet another reason to reflect on the changes happening around us. Over a hundred works by artists from across the globe explore how people and their environments evolve in an era of global transformation. Photography, video art, and installations—each hall becomes a universe of its own, where ecology, urban development, and social conflict collide.
Projects focused on the contradictions of contemporary life take center stage: from ecological disasters to the symbolism of urban spaces. There are no simple answers here, but there is plenty to contemplate. The exhibition’s atmosphere is tense, at times even unsettling, but that’s precisely what draws visitors back again and again.
The Magic of Animation
Film lovers and families alike won’t want to miss the spectacular exhibition celebrating 100 years of Disney. More than 250 original pieces—from iconic props to concept sketches—reveal how beloved movies and animated classics were created. Visitors can see everything from Mary Poppins’ famous carousel horse to Iron Man’s helmet, along with a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the creative process.
Interactive zones immerse visitors in the enchanting world of Disney: children and adults alike can try their hand at animation or explore breathtaking set designs. This exhibition is a true celebration for families and a great way to spend time together in January or February.
Masters in Dialogue
For the first time in Madrid, works by Picasso and Klee from the famed Heinz Berggruen collection are on display together. More than sixty pieces by these two 20th-century giants enter into a complex dialogue where every brushstroke and line invites comparison and debate. Here, familiar boundaries disappear—there are no ‘insiders’ or ‘outsiders,’ just a never-ending search for meaning.
The exhibition is organized by themes: portraits, landscapes, still lifes, and figurative compositions. Each gallery offers surprising juxtapositions of works rarely seen side by side. This is not just an exhibition, but an intellectual duel where everyone can choose their favorite.
Spanish Accents
The Reina Sofia Museum is finally hosting a large-scale retrospective of Maruja Mallo—one of the most remarkable and underrated figures in 20th-century Spanish art. The show traces the artist’s journey from her early experiments to mature works created in exile. Her renowned series, blending geometry, science, and personal experience, are given special focus.
The exhibition goes beyond painting: it also features theater projects, stage design sketches, and even recollections from her Paris years. This is a rare opportunity to witness how the artist’s style was shaped, and why she is still considered one of the most enigmatic personalities of her era.
New Horizons
CaixaForum invites you to experience the legacy of Henri Matisse. Eight themed halls, dozens of paintings, sculptures, and graphic works—everything here lets you follow the evolution of the master who revolutionized the use of color and composition. You’ll find not only early experiments, but also the iconic cut-outs that define his late period.
The exhibition is designed so visitors can feel how Matisse’s worldview transformed from piece to piece. Each hall is a chapter where he appears first as a daring innovator, then as a subtle lyricist. The impact of the show lingers long after, with some works holding your gaze and refusing to let go.
Memory and Exile
A special place in the program is given to an exhibition dedicated to the Spanish exile from 1939 to 1975. The display features not only documents and photographs, but also personal belongings, letters, and audio recordings. The most moving part is an installation of hundreds of letters exchanged between a mother and son separated by war and emigration.
The exhibition not only tells the story of tragedy, but also makes visitors reflect on the cost of memory and how fragile the ties between generations can be. In a separate hall, the voices of women who preserved their family histories against all odds can be heard. This is more than just an exhibition—it is an attempt to recover forgotten names and destinies.
If you weren’t aware, Madrid has in recent years become one of Europe’s leading cultural hubs. World-class exhibitions are held here regularly, and the city’s top museums and art spaces collaborate with major collectors and foundations. As a result, the Spanish capital draws not only tourists but also art professionals from around the globe. In 2026, the city once again affirms its status as a birthplace for new ideas and perspectives.
