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Río Babel 2026 brings Katy Perry, The Offspring and Molotov to Rivas this July
Summer in Madrid starts earlier and earlier, and Río Babel wants to be one of the season’s first major stops again. The festival will hold its ninth edition from 3 to 5 July 2026 at the Auditorio Miguel Ríos, with a line-up combining international pop, rock, Latin music and live comedy.
This year’s programme brings together names that are very different from one another, but that is precisely part of the festival’s appeal. Artists such as Katy Perry, The Offspring, Amaia, Bomba Estéreo, Molotov and La Casa Azul will take to the stage. The result is a festival designed for very different audiences, with days that completely change tone depending on the time and the stage.
One of the spaces that has grown most in recent years is Babel Comedy. What began as a secondary offering has become one of the venue’s busiest spots. On Friday, comedians such as Esther Gimeno, Jorge Yorya, Iñaki Urrutia and David Suárez will perform, alongside the live format of “Podcast, el Podcast”.
On Saturday, Virginia Riezu will take her turn as master of ceremonies, alongside acts such as Fran Pati and Clara Ingold. Sunday will close with Raquel Hervás at the helm and performances by Facu Díaz, Xavi Daura and Patricia Espejo.
Tickets are now available from 55 euros, and full passes and family options will also be available. The organisers hope to repeat the sell-out crowds of previous editions, especially over the weekend, when thousands of people travel to Rivas to spend practically the whole day there among concerts, food trucks and rest areas.
In recent years, Río Babel has found an identity quite different from that of other large-scale festivals in Madrid. Here, huge concerts coexist with stand-up comedy, live podcasts and a less hurried atmosphere than at other venues during the Madrid summer. That mix, along with the ease of getting there by metro or road, has made the festival one of the most sought-after plans when July begins.