Madrid starts its Christmas countdown after the announcement by the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, that the Christmas lights switch-on will be on Saturday, November 22, the earliest date in its recent history and a week earlier than in 2024. This year, the expectation is maximum because, in addition, the central act is moved to the iconic Plaza de Cibeles, leaving the Puerta del Sol as the main stage to officially inaugurate the brightest and busiest season of the capital.
The mayor has stressed that the change seeks to “attract as many Madrilenians as possible”, choosing a Saturday to facilitate attendance and enjoy an event that increasingly brings together more families and onlookers in the heart of the city. At 6 p.m., Almeida and a special guest (yet to be announced) will press the button that will turn on more than 13 million LED bulbs spread over 240 locations and 21 districts, among large avenues, squares, cherry trees and luminous fir trees, with a total length of 157 kilometers of Christmas lights-the equivalent of going from Madrid to Toledo and back.
What’s new for Christmas lights 2025 in Madrid?
This year’s decorative bet includes warmer and more enveloping shapes, the incorporation of winning designs from the primary school contest and a commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency: all the lighting is low-consumption, reducing light pollution and electricity costs. The large fir trees, the trees of light and the “magic cherry trees” will be back, while the main streets of the center will shine with exclusive proposals of designers and artists invited through the agreement with ACME (Asociación de Creadores de Moda de España).
The lighting will serve as a prelude to the markets, concerts and Christmas activities that will turn the entire city from November into a monumental stage of light and color, ready to welcome the thousands of tourists who throng the streets during these months.