Christmas plans in Madrid make use of all kinds of illusions: those awakened by Christmas Eve with Santa Claus, the family Christmas meal, the days off to rest, the grapes on New Year’s Eve and, of course, the three wise men with their clothes, roscones and gifts.
Far from what many may think, the events that occupy these dates have a lot to do with sharing, leisurely recreation and stroll under an exceptional sky of lights. Here’s how we tell you about the new Christmas season.
Christmas Lights 2024 in Madrid
The official switching on of the Christmas lights in Madrid will be on November 28, marking the beginning of the festive season. This year, the lighting will cover more than 230 locations and will feature designs created by primary school children, as well as proposals from prestigious designers. Discover all the novelties that will illuminate the city with sustainability thanks to the use of LED bulbs.
📍 Location: different locations
🗓️ Dates: from November 28th, 2024
Christmas markets
There are still no official dates for the start of the most popular Christmas markets in Madrid, but last year the one in Plaza Mayor was from November 24. If we want to get out of the classic, the city is full of pop ups and there are usually other themed markets such as the Xmas Shop of the florist Sally Hambleton or the Mercadillo del Gato at The Westin Palace with accessories, jewelry, jewelry, crafts, cosmetics … Among many others that will be confirmed closer to the dates.
Different locations
The official Marvel exhibition (from November 15th)
One of the most obvious Christmas phenomena is what happens with the revision of movies and the re-reading of books, comics… What a pleasure to read, to watch a movie with a blanket, while it’s cold and raining outside. This, which some experts call Hygge and also Comfort TV, has great successes during Christmas: Love Actually type movies , but also superhero fictions that take us to other planets and fictional situations.
But in Madrid, as always in this city, we go a step further: what if we get into these movies, these comics, entering a large official Marvel exhibition? The House of Ideas celebrates 85 years with this exhibition (Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes) which , located in IFEMA, is an absolute self-homage: there are interactive areas, with technology and large wraparound screens, there are spaces for the selfie but there will also be collectibles for those who love the “coffee for coffee makers” of the comics.
📍 Avenida del Partenón, 5 (Barajas).
Skating on the ice rinks
Although there are permanent ice rinks, Christmas -and the cold of this season- brings to the center of Madrid the possibility of skating outdoors. There are still no definite dates, but the usual rinks are those in Plaza de Colón and Plaza de España, which also have a market around with food and crafts to complete the festive plan. The Matadero rinks, where there will be exhibitions by the Madrid Winter Sports Federation, and the one at the Cibeles Palace, with 400 m², are also usually extended until the beginning of January.
Various locations
Candlelight Christmas special
At Christmas, the Candlelight concert series prepares special shows with all the magic of these dates. For example, a musical evening with a ballet of Swan Lake or Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker performed by the Madrid Dance Company or string or piano concerts with Christmas classics such as Let It Snow, Silent Night or Jingle bells. And, of course, not all of them, illuminated only with thousands and thousands of candles.
🗓️ Different dates in December
Different locations
Naviluz
Seeing the Christmas lights from a bus is almost a tradition in Madrid. Naviluz is the special bus service that runs through some of the most central areas of the city. It is a perfect plan for children to enjoy the Christmas decorations without getting tired. This year it will be held until January 4.
If maintained, the schedule of this Christmas bus is from 18h to 22:00h, with intervals of between 5 and 10 minutes between one bus and the next. The price of the general Christmas ticket is 8€.
Departure from the Jardines del Descubrimiento (Serrano street in front of No. 30).
Nativity Scenes
The most traditional Christmas plan. Nativity scenes are part of the typical itinerary of the outings and routes through the city at this time. There are two sides: the traditional representations that for example can be seen in the City Hall of Madrid or the Museum of History of Madrid, with its hundreds of clay figures, and the more alternative versions are in light format in Plaza de España and floral crafts in the Casa de Mexico Foundation.
Various locations
El manantial de los sueños: El Origen de la Navidad (The Spring of Dreams: The Origin of Christmas)
El manantial de los sueños: El Origen de la Navidad is a Christmas festival hidden in a park in Madrid (specifically, in the Royal Botanical Garden Alfonso XIII) that opens its doors from November 28 until January 5 with a schedule of 16:00 to 22:00h.
The space, open to all audiences, has shows, ice rink, flea market and Santa Claus’ house, which will make the occasional visit. The Botanical Garden of the Complutense University will become a unique universe full of experiences throughout the Christmas season. Tickets for El manantial de los sueños are already available and the price ranges from 12 to 25 euros.
Avenida Complutense, s/n (Royal Botanical Garden Alfonso XIII, around the Complutense University)
Having churros with chocolate
After walking in the cold through the illuminated streets, visiting the Christmas markets and buying some gifts, it’s time to sit down for a drink: some churros with chocolate is what the body is asking for these days.
Chocolatería San Ginés(Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5) is an infallible classic. But if you want to try a modernized version and almost as traditional as the typical churrerías, try Manosanta (Calle Hermosilla, 97).
Various locations
We call it: Ballet
It’s a very winter plan and also a perfect Christmas gift. We call it: Ballet reinvents the traditional dance show concept and combines it with narration and LED lights. A dance show in the darkness of light that comes to Madrid to bring the classic story of Sleeping Beauty to new generations and make it more accessible to all audiences.
🗓️ Different dates from November to January
Círculo de Bellas Artes and Teatros Luchana