Madrid will host a free literary picnic at Matadero for Día del Libro on 23 April

Matadero Madrid is hosting a free literary picnic for Día del Libro. Readers of all ages can share stories and discover new titles in a unique setting. The event will take place on 23 April, with prior registration required. It’s a different kind of plan for those looking for cultural activities in the city.

This year, Día del Libro in Madrid adds a proposal that breaks away from the routine of bookshops and libraries. Plaza Matadero will become a large urban meadow where readers can sit on the grass, open their favourite books, and share the experience with strangers and friends. The event, called 'Meet & Read', invites people to put their phones aside and immerse themselves in collective reading in the heart of the city.

Matadero Madrid is celebrating the free literary picnic “Meet & Read” in Plaza Matadero on 23 April, from 19:00 to 22:00, with registration open from 7 April; the event is organised by Matadero Madrid and Casa del Lector. The activity will feature Luis Miguel Cobo creating the soundscape and Fernando Bonete as the host of the gathering.

The format encourages attendees to bring a book, switch off their phones, and read and talk in a large urban “literary meadow”, open to novels, comics, essays, and other genres. Matadero and Casa del Lector present it as a shared reading celebration to mark Día del Libro as a community.

The event, which is free to attend, is aimed at those looking for more than just buying books: here, it’s about reading, conversation, and discovering new stories together. Whether you prefer novels, comics, or essays, all genres are welcome at this literary picnic. The atmosphere will be accompanied by ambient music from composer and DJ Luis Miguel Cobo, who will provide the soundtrack for the evening.

Cultural communicator Fernando Bonete will guide the conversation, encouraging attendees to share their thoughts on authors, books, and the pleasures of reading. Registration opens on 7 April and the event takes place on 23 April, from 19:00 to 22:00, coinciding with Día del Libro. It’s an opportunity for those seeking something different and wanting to experience literature in a new way.

In recent years, Matadero Madrid has established itself as one of the city’s most versatile cultural spaces. Its plaza, a regular venue for festivals and gatherings, easily adapts to events that blend art, music, and public participation.

Initiatives like 'Meet & Read' reinforce its role as a meeting point for those who want to enjoy culture outdoors and as a community. Madrid is already moving in that direction.