The fifth Marcha Positiva takes place in Madrid on Saturday 17 October 2026. It is organised by Cesida, the Spanish coordinating body of HIV and AIDS organisations, and it is led by people living with HIV. This year's slogan is "Ni culpa, ni silencio", no guilt and no silence. Our event page explains what the march is for. Cesida has since published the practical details.
Where and when
The march sets off at 12:30 from outside the Ministry of Health at Paseo del Prado 18, and Cesida's own listing gives 15:30 as the end. No ticket or registration is needed. Cesida has not published the route, and the organisers say they want to break their participation record for the fifth year running.
The evening before
On Friday 16 October at 19:00, Cesida holds the second Premios Jancho Barrios at the Palacio de la Prensa on the Plaza del Callao, an awards evening for people, groups and institutions that defend the rights of people with HIV. Places are booked in advance through Cesida. The October programme also includes a podcast, Estigma sin G, with five new episodes, and a short course on HIV stigma delivered by WhatsApp or Telegram. Both can be followed from anywhere.
Madrid for a visitor
Most of the Madrid venues we list are in Chueca, north of the Gran Vía and roughly twenty minutes on foot from the start. Cesida's own office is there too, on the Calle de Hortaleza. Bears Bar, LL Show Bar and DLRO Live are on the Calle de Pelayo, Black & White is on the Calle de la Libertad and Barbanarama on the Calle de San Bartolomé. Librería Berkana, on the Calle de Hortaleza, is the city's long-standing LGBTQ+ bookshop. For somewhere to stay close to the start, Axel Hotel Madrid is on the Calle de Atocha.
Spain
Spain scores 88.70 on ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Index, the highest score in Europe this year. It opened marriage to same-sex couples in 2005, and since 2023 anyone aged 16 or over can change their legal gender by declaration. More on our Spain page.