Christmas has clear protagonists: the little ones, so having a good list of Christmas plans for children 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.
1. Ice rinks
One of the Christmas plans that has become fashionable in Madrid in recent years is skating on ice rinks. In addition to wearing out the copious meals typical of these dates and make room for the following, skating is also a perfect activity to spend some time with the family.
The rink in Plaza de España will be open from November 21 until the beginning of January and is expected to repeat the ones in Palacio de Cibeles and Matadero, although the dates have not yet been made public.
Location: several locations.
2. Christmas markets
One of the first Christmas stops is to visit some of the markets that will take over some streets and squares of Madrid. The one in Plaza Mayor is a must, especially if you are looking for figurines of the Nativity Scene (from November 28 to December 31), but in Plaza de España you will find another one, with ice rink included (from November 21 to early January). It is also a good time to discover with the little ones the value of handmade crafts at the Feria Mercado de Artesanía de la Comunidad de Madrid (from December 1 to 30).
Location: various locations.
3. Cavalcades
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 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.
4. Cortylandia
For Madrid’s children, Christmas has two big moments: the cavalcades and when Cortylandia starts – even if you’re older, it’s worth going to see their excited faces. The return date of this iconic show is yet to be confirmed, but it is usually from the end of November until January 5 at the Corte Inglés on Preciados Street. As usual, the assembly will take place on the façade of Maestro Victoria Street, and attendees will be able to watch this children’s show from the Plaza del Celenque for another year.
Location: Maestro Victoria Street, 4 (Center).
5. Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes
This Christmas, superheroes, superheroines, villains and villainesses! The Marvel universe has come to Madrid to stay in an exhibition that celebrates 85 years of the famous House of Ideas. A factory of comics, movies, books and memorabilia, but above all, a laboratory for the creation of characters like Iron Man, Hulk, Scarlett Witch, Storm, Black Widow…
The exhibition, which you will find in Hall 2 of IFEMA, is conceived as an immersive experience with interactive installations and spaces for selfie and game: the youngest of the house will have fun entering the laboratory of Tony Stark, testing the capacity of Iron Man’s armor…
Location: IFEMA Madrid Exhibition Center (Avenida del Partenón, 5, Barajas).
💵Tickets :from 16,90€.
6. 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. In the Royal Palace is exhibited a Neapolitan Nativity Scene that has been completed since the eighteenth century, when Charles III began the tradition as a gift for his son Charles IV.
Location: various locations.
7. Circo Price Christmas
The perfect plan with children for the holidays includes the traditional Christmas production of the Circo Price. This year’s production features five friends facing the worst news: there is no Christmas this year. The story follows the group of friends on their mission to recover the spirit of Christmas with music, dance and the best artists of today’s circus.
Location: Ronda de Atocha, 35 (Embajadores)
8 .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 29 until January 5 with a schedule of 16:00 to 22:00 h.
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 are priced between 12 and 25 euros.
Location: Avenida Complutense, s/n (Real Jardín Botánico Alfonso XIII, around the Complutense University).
9.
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 there will be a new edition that will start on Friday, November 29 and will end on January 6.
The schedule of this Christmas bus is from 6 pm to 9:50 pm, with intervals of between 5 and 10 minutes between one bus and the next.
Location: departure from Felipe Street, IV next to Goya Monument
10.
Naturaleza Encendida
Naturaleza Encendida has a new light show for this Christmas and it will be held in the Enrique Tierno Galván Park, instead of in the Royal Botanical Garden. This year’s tour will focus on the great natural kingdoms: the aquatic, terrestrial and aerial, always in a dreamlike landscape with a didactic side. Its luminous doors will be open from November 26 to January 6.
Location: Meneses Street, 4 (corner with Avenida del Planetario)
11.
Candlelight Christmas Concerts
There is no Christmas without music, so what better plan than to go 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 see 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, the entrance for children is allowed from 8 years old, so if they are younger than that age right now, write down this plan for next years!
Location: several locations.