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El Retiro’s puppet theatre will be renovated in 2026
The small amphitheatre in El Retiro park, which has delighted children with puppet shows for almost 80 years, will be transformed.
The amphitheatre, where children's performances have been held for nearly 80 years, will undergo extensive renovation. Madrid City Council has allocated 300,000 euros to improving the theatre: removable awnings will be installed to provide shade in summer, the floors of the stage and audience area will be renewed, railings will be replaced and the roof will be repaired.
The awning will make it possible to hold performances during the day without the risk of heat, and the new drainage floor will protect children from puddles after rain. The theatre receives more than 21,000 spectators each year and is famous for its summer puppet-art festival.
The first theatre on this site appeared in 1947, and its wooden structure was later replaced by a new one. Despite the years and the 1986 fire, the theatre continues operating and hosting the best national and international puppet companies. It is now ready for renovation and will be even more comfortable and safe for child spectators and their families.