Madrid is establishing itself as a global art hub in 2026. Below, we detail the must-see exhibitions currently on display in the capital, including their location, closing date, and a brief description of what you’ll find at each.

Léo Fourdrinier

Place: Casado Santapau
Latest date: 30-10-2026

Fourdrinier conceives his sculptures as intertwined verses that gradually give shape to the final work. At the Casado Santapau gallery, the Parisian artist presents his most recent creations—pieces where archaeology, history, and science converge to bring the artistic experience to life. His practice stands out as an intersection of distinct realities, inviting us to view the world from a fresh perspective. Through textural contrasts, organic forms paired with technical elements, and a dialogue between found and modeled objects, the artist creates a deeply visual stimulus that awakens the senses.

The Prado Museum at Night

Place: Museo del Prado
Latest date: 31-12-2026

Free admission

The “El Prado at Night” program continues in 2026, opening the museum’s doors for free on the first Saturday of every month. During special hours from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., visitors can tour the temporary exhibitions at no cost. To enhance the evening cultural experience, both the official shop and Café Prado also remain open to the public throughout the event.

 

Madrid between eras

Place: Museo de Historia de Madrid (calle de Fuencarral, 78)
Latest date: 4-10-2026

The exhibition by Valentín Andrés Pérez Serén (@elpasadodemadrid) merges the past and present of the capital in images that blend black and white with color. This work creates a visual dialogue between present-day Madrid and that of past generations, showcasing the city’s evolution and transformation over time.

 

Mitologías modernas: Ouka Leele & Co.

Place: Fundación Canal
Latest date: 26-7-2026

A striking bubblegum-pink installation transforms the Alcalá 31 gallery into a time machine, transporting visitors to the Movida Madrileña—one of Spain’s most fascinating artistic eras. The exhibition “Modern Mythologies: Ouka Leele & Co” centers on the iconic 1987 photograph ¡Rappelle-toi, Barbara! That legendary image, captured in Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles—and famous for having brought the city’s traffic to a standstill—reinterpreted the classical myth of Atalanta and Hippomenes. With classical mythology serving as a unifying thread, the exhibition brings together over a hundred works by key figures of the period, such as El Hortelano, Ceesepe, Costus, and Patricia Gadea.

 

Robert Frank.

Place: Fundación Telefonica
Latest date: 1-11-2026

As part of the 29th edition of PHotoESPAÑA, Espacio Fundación Telefónica presents Robert Frank & The Americans, an exhibition that brings together—for the first time at this venue—the complete set of images from one of the most iconic and influential projects in 20th-century visual culture.

Considered a cornerstone of contemporary photography, The Americans revolutionized visual language by challenging the narratives of post-war American prosperity. Curated by David Campany and organized in collaboration with the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, the exhibition displays the 83 original images alongside previously unseen material documenting the artist’s creative process. Further information is available at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie.

 

Ricardo de Madrazo

Place: Museo del Prado
Latest date: 13-10-2026

The Prado Museum presents the first monographic exhibition dedicated to Ricardo de Madrazo, the least celebrated member of this great artistic dynasty. From October 13, 2026, to January 17, 2027, the museum will display a selection of his drawings, watercolors, and personal notebooks, recently acquired by the institution. Curated by Pedro J. Martínez Plaza, the exhibition reflects the artist’s wanderlust throughout Europe and North Africa. Unlike the academic style of his father (Federico de Madrazo), Ricardo favored Orientalism, landscapes, and genre scenes, characterized by luminous light and a free brushstroke.

 

Kenny Scharf

Place: El Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Latest date: 17-01-2027

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum presents an exhibition dedicated to Kenny Scharf, a pioneer of street art and a key figure in New York’s 1980s East Village movement. From September 29, 2026, to January 17, 2027, the museum will showcase the work of this artist, who revolutionized the art world alongside icons such as Basquiat, Haring, and his mentor, Warhol. Part of the Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection program, the exhibition highlights Scharf’s signature style, which blends Surrealism and Pop art with colorful, fantastical creatures to create fully immersive environments.

 

Museo Banksy

Place: Paseo de la Esperanza, 1 (Arganzuela)
Latest date: 31-12-2026

The Banksy Museum arrives in Madrid following its success in Barcelona. Located just steps from the Acacias metro station, this cultural space features a permanent collection of over 170 faithful replicas of the artist’s most famous works, including “Banksy’s Rage” (the flower thrower) and the iconic “Girl with Balloon.” The venue is conceived as a grand tribute to the career of the graffiti artist and the world’s most influential figure in urban art..

 

Minor White

Place: Fundación MAPFRE
Latest date: 10-01-2027

Fundación MAPFRE presents the first major European retrospective of Minor White—a pivotal figure in 20th-century American photography—at its Recoletos Gallery. Running from September 24 to January 10, 2027, the exhibition pays tribute to an artist (Minneapolis, 1908–1976) who not only revolutionized imagery through his visual work but also transformed the field as an educator at elite institutions such as MIT and the California School of Fine Arts. Furthermore, the exhibition highlights his editorial contributions as the driving force and editor of the influential magazine Aperture.