Christmas has some clear protagonists: the little ones, so having a good list of Christmas plans for kids is key for these dates.
Madrid offers a lot of options. The central streets are filled with lights, the squares with their special markets and from the end of November until the first week of January, activities for children take place in cultural centers, theaters or shopping malls.
Three Wise Men parades in different districts of Madrid.
The best way to end this season and one of the most exciting moments is with the Christmas parades. The main and largest is the one that runs along the Paseo de la Castellana, with more than 1,500 participants to Cibeles, on the afternoon of January 5. Although almost all neighborhoods and towns in the Community of Madrid have their own, but it is important to make sure of the dates because some are usually held the days before, such as Chamartin which is on the 3rd and Carabanchel on the 4th.
Location: several locations.
2. Navalagamágica, a gymkhana with the Three Wise Men on January 3 and 4
The municipality of Navalagamella celebrates two days of Christmas market that tastes like a farewell to the holidays. It will be on January 3 and 4. Both days, the day will start with a flea market (until 21.00) and will end with a children’s treasure hunt in which, as a family, the little ones will have to help the Three Kings in a “special mission”. In addition, there will be workshops, games and, of course, the delivery of the letter to Their Majesties The Three Wise Men in person.
📍 Location: Navalagamella
3. Brilli Brilli
From December 26 to January 4, the winter festival of La Casa Encendida will take place. A celebration to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026 with plans full of music, color and fantasy for the whole family. There will be an installation (Venturia 3) created by the architects Conjuntos Empáticos, which contains an “alien” house to play freely, relax and enjoy. Also the experience “Pelis con los ojos cerrados”, to spur the imagination of the little ones, as well as a film screening, a mini dance club, workshops such as the illustrator Daniel Tornero or a pajama party with Caries (Carlangas and Natalia Ferviú).
📍 Location: Ronda de Valencia, 2 (Embajadores)
💸 Tickets: 5€.
4. Christmas plans for the whole family in Teatros del Canal
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The Teatros del Canal organize, as every Christmas, an intense program to enjoy with the whole family, among shows, interactive activities and puppets.
- From 3 years old: immersive installation of participatory dance (📆 December 19, 20, 21, 23, 23, 26, 27, 28 and 30 and January 2, 3 and 4).
- From 5 years old: a contemporary dance show by Compagnie Fika (📆 January 2, 3 and 4).
Location: Calle de Cea Bermúdez, 1 (Islas Filipinas)
5. The Christmas Train
Bisbal, David Bisbal himself, was in charge of inaugurating this year’s Christmas Train, one of the most popular Christmas attractions for the little ones at home. Line 3 is dressed up for the occasion, with Christmas decorations and a visit from elves, the organization of free activities… and Christmas carols, lots of Christmas carols. Until January 6, between El Casar and Moncloa, getting on the metro will become a festive experience. On weekends, surprise, there will be a special visit from Santa Claus, his pages and elves, as well as the Three Wise Men.
Location: Line 3 between El Casar and Moncloa.
6. Ice rinks
One of the Christmas plans that has become fashionable in Madrid is skating on the ice rinks. In addition to wearing out the copious meals typical of these dates and make room for the following, ice skating is also a perfect activity to spend some time with the family.
The rink in Plaza de España will be open from November 25 to January 11; the one in Colón is getting ready to open its doors on November 29. One of the most magical, for being indoors and under a large glass dome, is that of the Galería de Cristal (Palacio de Cibeles), more ephemeral (from December 13 to January 5); or that of Matadero, among the centenary brick buildings, which will open on December 5. In Getafe, there is the skating rink (but without ice) Brilla Zoo(with separate entrance). You can consult the entire list in this article.
Location: several locations.
7. The Hogwarts dining room
From December 20 until January 5, opens in the middle of Gran Vía (Espacio Movistar) the famous and pantagruelic dining room of the magic school Hogwarts. With free admission (although it is necessary to book in advance) in this place there will also be magic sessions, a mailbox to send letters to Santa Claus or the Kings and much more.
Location:Espacio Movistar (Gran Vía, 28)
💵 Tickets: free, but it is necessary to book an appointment at this link
8. Christmas videomapping at the Real Casa de Correos
Under the name of “Fábrica de los deseos” (Factory of Wishes), during this Christmas season the videomapping show of a giant advent calendar is projected on the facade of the Real Casa de Correos at Puerta del Sol. You can enjoy it every day until January 6 (free shows starting at 18.00h and repeated for 30 minutes until 23.00h; until 00.00h on weekends and from December 19 to January 6).
Location: different locations
9. A couple of exhibitions with dinosaurs and animatronic creatures at Espacio Delicias
This Christmas, brachiosaurs, tyrannosaurus rex, velociraptors! The universe of Jurassic World continues in Madrid until the arrival of the Three Wise Men. An immersive space with life-size animatronic dinosaurs in which the little ones will walk through the scenarios of the movies hallucinating with these great beings and… and, we warn you, a few surprises.
💵Tickets :free up to two years old; from 3 years old, from 12€.
In this same Espacio Delicias, dinosaurs also coexist with the cinematic beings of Pandora. The third film in the saga premieres this winter at the same time that the Moon that hosts blue beings and incredible ecosystems, lands in Madrid in immersive experience format.
💵Tickets :free up to age two; ages 3 and up, from €13.
10. Machu Picchu: a journey to the lost city
This virtual reality experience is a transoceanic journey into the past: a historical tour of the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Recommended for children from 10 years old, it is a plan of approximately 45 minutes in which to walk through the terraces of the Andes, learn about the symbology of the Incas and discover some of the mysteries of this civilization.
Location: Fever Hub Madrid (access from Orense, on the street between Orense 3 and Orense 5)
💵 Tickets:from 19€.
11. Nativity Scenes
Nativity scenes are a good way to know what is celebrated on these dates and also discover that art can also be in miniature. There are two cribs that are traditionally the most visited: the Madrid City Hall and the Municipal Bethlehem of the Plaza de la Villa, which are usually from late November until January 5. Another classic is added, that of the Royal Palace, which from December 5 until January 5, will represent through 200 figures different typical Neapolitan scenes (the tavern, the library, the clotheslines) as well as nods to the Casa del Labrador de Aranjuez and the Royal Apothecary.
Location: various locations.
12. Circo Price Christmas
Circo Price is once again one of the great Christmas plans for children in Madrid with Sueña despierto, its new family show for the holidays. The show tells the story of a group of children who get lost in a forest during a school trip and end up finding an abandoned circus where the night is filled with magic, acrobatics and songs thanks to the forest animals and a cast of circus performers.
With balancing acts, aerial, juggling, shadow puppets, clowns and live white voices, the show turns the theater into a real “circus of dreams” and can be seen from November 21 to January 6, from Tuesday to Sunday, with an approximate duration of 1 hour and 40 minutes and recommended for all audiences.
Location: Ronda de Atocha, 35 (Embajadores)
13. Quiz Room
The children’s vacations are here and Madrid wakes up with dozens of plans for the little ones. To spur their imagination but also to dust off all their knowledge, this experience of quick questions like a TV quiz show, is an option to spend a few hours with the family and laugh endlessly: Quiz Room has several modalities, one of them, Quiz Room Kids, recommended from 8 years old, has adapted questions and more accessible rules.
📍 Where to find us? Calle de Sancho Dávila, 8 (Ventas)
Tickets : from 20€ and up
14. A Christmas of family cinema at Cineteca
The cycle of the Cineteca de Matadero, ‘Christmas with the family‘, brings together this year’s edition of great animated films for all ages. The program includes films by Miyazaki, Don Bluth, Tim Burton and Wes Anderson.
- January 2nd: Fantastic Mr. Fox ( Wes Anderson)
- January 3: In Search of the Enchanted Valley (Don Bluth)
- January 4: The Corpse Bride (Tim Burton)
Location: Plaza de Legazpi, 8 (Arganzuela)
15. Naviluz
Seeing the Christmas lights is nice, but seeing it from a bus is much better. This special bus service, which runs through some of the most central areas of the city, is a perfect plan for children to enjoy the Christmas decorations without getting tired. This year a new edition will be held until January 6 (included).
The schedule of this Christmas bus is from 6 pm to 9:50 pm, with intervals of 5 to 10 minutes between one bus and the next. It will remain inactive on December 24, 25 and January 5.
Location: departure from Calle Felipe, IV between the Goya door of the Prado Museum and the service door of the Ritz Hotel, in front of number 1 of the street.
16. Christmas choirs
The Centro district has prepared for this Christmas a perfect program to go with children: a route of choral concerts and outdoor recitals in squares and churches where carols of always and more current themes sound. Children’s choirs, flamenco zambombas and groups such as the Coro Casa de los Musicales, Meraki or Songspell will perform in squares such as Corrala, Comendadoras or Barceló, while parishes such as San Lorenzo, San Miguel or Jesús de Medinaceli will host more secluded concerts. You can consult the complete program here.
Location: different locations
17. Christmas markets
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One of the first Christmas stops is to visit some of the markets that will take over some streets and squares of Madrid. Although we have already said goodbye to the iconic Plaza Mayor, resists the Plaza de España, with ice rink included (it is already open and will remain until January 11).
Location: several locations.
18. Cortylandia
For Madrid’s children, Christmas has two great moments: the parades and when Cortylandia starts -even if you’re older, it’s worth going to see their excited faces. This show has been running for almost half a century (47 years this winter) with the theme Cortylandia Express, a train “to the land of dreams”. The facade of El Corte Inglés on Maestro Victoria Street will be illuminated and will sound until December 5 and attendees will be able to see this children’s show from the Plaza del Celenque.
Location: Maestro Victoria Street, 4 (Center).
19. Candlelight Christmas Concerts
There is no Christmas without music, so what better plan than going to a Christmas concert for the little ones to test their knowledge of Christmas carols, and under the light of thousands of candles? From Christmas classics to Christmas soundtracks or watching The Nutcracker dance live, Candlelight Christmas concerts are a good alternative to the cold to do on selected dates in December and January.
Of course, children’s admission is allowed for ages 8 and up, so if they’re younger than that right now, make a note of this plan for future years!
Location: various locations.