Christmas markets in Madrid return this year to occupy squares, streets, and ad hoc spaces to buy decorations, food and gifts for these dates. They join the festive atmosphere with other classics such as Christmas lighting, Christmas concerts by candlelight or of course, Cortylandia. Everything adds up to make this holiday season worthy of a wait that for many begins in mid-November.
In the streets the presence of the Christmas spirit is gaining strength, and one of the unmistakable symptoms of this is the return of the traditional Christmas markets. Here we compile some of those that are already a hallmark of Christmas in the capital.
1. Plaza Mayor Christmas market
A Christmas tour of Madrid has to pass through the Plaza Mayor. For more than 100 years traders have been setting up shop in this emblematic square of the capital to sell their products, which range from Christmas decorations or nativity scenes to joke items.
Their stalls will once again occupy the emblematic square from November 27 at 4 p.m., and will remain open until December 31. The opening hours will be from 10 am to 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and eve of holidays, without closing at noon.
🗓️ Dates: November 27 to December 31
📍Location: Plaza Mayor
2. Mercadillo del Gato
Born in Madrid to “promote creative and sustainable companies”, the Mercadillo del Gato is one of the great markets that has already become an emblem of Christmas in the capital. Itinerant, ephemeral and known for being located in emblematic buildings of the cities it visits, after months of inactivity now returns with force in a new edition.
Admission is free and the schedule is uninterrupted from 11 am to 9 pm. Among its stalls visitors will find women’s and men’s fashion, accessories, jewelry, costume jewelry, handicrafts, cosmetics, children’s fashion, home fashion and art.
🗓️Fechas: from December 12 to January 6
📍Location: Centro Cultural de los Ejércitos (Gran Via, 13)
3. Xmas Shop by Sally Hambleton
Sally Hambleton’s Xmas Shop unites flowers and the most carefully chosen Christmas decorations. This year the physical store will divide its dates to give space to the Christmas floral decoration workshops. This pop up will be open from November 13 until December 8, the week of December 9 will be dedicated to workshops and the Christmas market will return from December 15 to January 5, 2025.
Here you can find all kinds of decorations for the Christmas tree, table decorations (tablecloths, napkins, glasses, candlesticks, candle holders and candles, among others) and, of course, natural Christmas wreaths that you can buy ready-made, or sign up for one of their workshops to make them yourself.
🗓️ Dates: 1st opening from 13/11 to 8/12 and 2nd from 15/12 to 5/1/26
📍Location: Gabriel Lobo Street, 11 (El Viso)
4. Feria Mercado de Artesanía de la Comunidad de Madrid (Craft Market Fair of the Community of Madrid)
More than 155 artisans from all over Spain come together at this fair that has been held since 1988. It is organized by the Asociación Madrileña de Oficios Artesanos (AMOA) and you can find stalls of jewelry and costume jewelry, toys, ceramics, leather goods, pottery or bookbinding, among others. Its opening hours will be uninterrupted from 11 am to 9 pm, except on Christmas Eve (which will be open until 3 pm) and December 25, which will be closed.
🗓️Fechas: from December 1 to 30
📍Location: Paseo de Recoletos (between Colón and Cibeles).
5 .Shell Market
The Mercado de las Conchas celebrates a very special Christmas edition in Torrelodones on December 13 and 14 at La Casa Verde in Torrelodones. More than thirty exhibitors offer fashion, art, artisan gastronomy, creative workshops and gourmet burgers in a unique space and with free admission, making the market a must for lovers of handmade and local creativity.
🗓️Fechas: from December 13 to 14
📍Location: avenida de Rosario Manzaneque, 25 (Torrelodones)
Whether you take some of their items home or not, what is certain is that a stroll through these ephemeral markets is one of the best plans to enjoy this magical time of the year.