The Chief of Defence presents the programme of the Armed Forces Day 2026

•  Admiral López Calderón was accompanied by the Mayor of Vigo and military officials

The Chief of Defence, Admiral Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, today presented at the Naval Office in Vigo the main events to be held in the city from 26^th  to 31^st May to commemorate the Spanish Armed Forces Day.

He was joined at the event, in addition to the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, by several senior military officers responsible for organising this year’s edition of DIFAS. Among them were Major General Marcial González Prada of the Army, Chief of the Manoeuvre Support Command; Vice-Admiral Vicente Rubio Bolívar, Commander-in-Chief of the Ferrol Naval Arsenal; Major General Andrés Enrique Maldonado García, Chief of Staff of the Air Combat Command; Brigadier General Miguel Ángel González Arias, Commander of the Galicia Zone; and Captain Jaime Toledano Funes, Naval Commander of Vigo.

The Chief of Defence thanked the Mayor of Vigo and the public for their willingness to host the Armed Forces Day celebrations. Admiral López Calderón emphasised that “the aim of this celebration is to raise public awareness of the work that the military, including members of the Guardia Civil, carry out both within and beyond our borders; our ongoing duty to monitor and protect the territory and areas of sovereignty and national interest; and our role in defending peace and freedom around the world”.

Admiral López Calderón concluded his remarks at the presentation with a special tribute to all those military personnel who are currently outside Spain carrying out their duties in “various parts of the world on United Nations, NATO, European Union or autonomous missions, to contribute to international security and stability”.

Armed Forces Day 2026

The commemorative events for Armed Forces Day in Vigo will begin on 26^th May and conclude on 31^st May

The main ceremony, presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen, will take place on 30^th May, Armed Forces Day. It will take place on Avenida de Samil at 12:00 noon, following this sequence:

• Raising of the National Flag and Tribute to the Flag
• Tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain
• Land Parade
• Air Parade
• Lowering of the National Flag

In addition, from 26^th to 31^st May in the Port of Vigo, on Avenida da Beiramar, there will be a naval presence and a static display of equipment.

On Wednesday 27^th May, a display of personnel and equipment will take place on the athletics track adjacent to the Balaídos Stadium at 7.15 pm.

On Thursday 28^th May at 7.15 pm, a military band concert will take place, presided over by the Chief of  Defence, accompanied by the Chief of the Navy, the Chief of the Army, the Chief of the Air and Space Force, and civilian authorities, in Praza Porta do Sol at 7.15 pm. Prior to this, there will be a parade through the surrounding streets featuring all the participating military bands.

On Friday 29^th May, presided over by His Majesty King Felipe VI, the Naval Review will take place, featuring vessels from the Navy and the Guardia Civil. It will be at 3.30 pm in the Vigo Estuary.

Later, at Samil Beach, a live display of personnel and equipment will begin at 5.15 pm. Among other performances, there will be an equestrian display and a demonstration by military dog handlers.

In addition to the main events to be held in Vigo, numerous activities will take place throughout the country and even in areas beyond our borders where Spanish military personnel are stationed.