Madrid is getting ready for a weekend fully dedicated to Puerto Rico with the arrival ofBad Bunny and the addition of venues like La Placita in Madrid, a new free cultural space that will celebrate the best of Puerto Rico from May 29 to 31 in the heart of Malasaña. The initiative, sponsored by Discover Puerto Rico, coincides with the Puerto Rican artist’s massive concerts at the Estadio Metropolitano and aims to become a meeting point for both the Puerto Rican diaspora and Madrid residents and visitors drawn to the island’s culture.
The venue at 4 Noviciado Street will be transformed for three days into a Puerto Rican “placita”—those traditional gathering spaces where the community comes together to share music, conversation, and celebration. The project was conceived by Lola Montilla, a Puerto Rican content creator and communicator, and Fiama Morales, founder of Wepa Madrid, in partnership with Gain Solutions as a strategic partner.
“When I thought of creating La Placita in Madrid, it was with the aim of sharing many aspects of our culture with all those who already know our music, our artists, and who support the creativity of our people,” explains Lola Montilla.
Live music and dance workshops
The musical program will be one of the cornerstones of La Placita. Attendees will be able to participate in salsa and plena workshops; the latter, an Afro-Puerto Rican folk genre, will be taught by Tito Chévere and Los Pleneros del Exilio. In addition, there will be DJ sets by Marcos Flores, who will liven up the atmosphere with the rhythms that have made Puerto Rico a global musical powerhouse.
Music will serve as the common thread for an experience that goes far beyond entertainment: the goal is to convey the joy, sense of community, and cultural identity that define the Puerto Rican people.
Traditional cuisine and beverages will also feature prominently in the program. Visitors will be able to enjoy tastings of Puerto Rican coffee, known for its quality and unique flavor thanks to the island’s climate. There will also be pairing experiences combining rum and chocolate, two iconic products of Puerto Rico that are rarely presented together in Europe.
The culinary offering will be complemented by a cocktail menu inspired by the island, featuring classics like the piña colada and coquito, alongside contemporary creations that reinterpret Puerto Rican flavors. All this in a relaxed and festive atmosphere that invites you to stay, chat, and enjoy.
Conversations, art, and literature
Beyond music and cuisine, La Placita will host a varied cultural program that will delve into different aspects of contemporary Puerto Rican culture. A highlight is theconversation with Nuria Net, director of the renowned Latin culture podcast Las Cosmos, who will analyzeBad Bunny’s global impact and his role as a cultural ambassador for Puerto Rico around the world.
The program will also include thepresentation of the children’s book *La coquí nómada y el mar de estrellas* by Sara Gravell Ortiz, a work that introduces Puerto Rican identity to young children, and ameeting with visual artist Carlos Mercado, who will share his work and vision on the island’s contemporary art.
Throughout the weekend, the venue will showcasefashion, art, and design projectslinked to Puerto Rico, many of which are still relatively unknown in the European market.
A Puerto Rican community in Madrid
For Fiama Morales, co-creator of the project, La Placita represents much more than a cultural event: “It brings joy, community, and a little piece of Puerto Rico to Madrid. It fills me with pride to see how our culture connects with so many people and how we continue to hold our roots high, wherever we are.”
The initiative also responds to the growing presence of the Puerto Rican community in Madrid and the fascination that Puerto Rican culture generates among the Spanish public, especially since the global reggaeton boom and the rise of artists such as Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, and Rauw Alejandro.
The entire program isfree, although we recommend checking the event calendar on the official website for the schedules of workshops and activities that may require prior registration due to limited capacity.