The long-awaited December long weekend is, in truth, a pipe dream. There are those who can jump from one holiday to another (like the squirrel through the Spanish woods) without falling into work schedules; there are those who are content to reduce their work week to four days. In any case, no matter what, Madrid doesn’t rest, it doesn’t understand holidays or long weekends. There is always something to do (including some Christmas plans).
The exhibition‘Marvel. Universe of Super Heroes’ exhibition
Happy birthday, Marvel! The company known as the House of Ideas (and home of the superheroes and superheroines that populate our collective imagination) celebrates its 85th anniversary in Madrid. Specifically, at IFEMA. It does so with an exhibition of depth, coffee for coffee makers for the biggest fans of Marvel, but also for curious and neophytes of this universe of fiction and epic battles. We will find more than 200 original Marvel objects, including historical comics, costumes and props from the movies, drawings and artwork (note that we can see original Spider-Man by Steve Ditko)…
🗓️ Sessions open for the entire December long weekend.
Recinto Ferial de IFEMA Madrid (Avenida del Partenón, 5, Barajas).
💸 Tickets: from 16,90€.
Christmas boat in Aranjuez
An atypical plan to prepare the Christmas spirit. The most festive boat ride in Aranjuez, where Santa Claus and his elves join the crew to offer a magical experience. This 60-minute tour along the Tagus includes karaoke, contests and photos with Santa, all for €9.99 per person.
📍 Location: Historic center of Aranjuez
The Phantom of the Opera
This classic musical is back on the Madrid billboard. This December long weekend is a new opportunity to see this great production, if you have not yet done so and if it is not your first time, you can always repeat.
This adaptation of the eponymous novel by Frenchman Gaston Leroux premiered more than 30 years ago on stage, but its mixture of drama, horror and love makes it come back every so often and continues to receive the same good reception.
📍 Location: UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz (Calle de la Paz, 11)
XXX Great Gospel Festival
The XXX Festival Grandes del Gospel celebrates its 30th anniversary at the Fernán Gómez Theater, presenting the best international groups of the genre. This event, which will take place from November 28 to December 14, includes outstanding performances such as the New Orleans Gospel Choir and The South Carolina Gospel Choir.
Specifically, during the days of the December long weekend, Soweto Gospel Choir (December 3 to 6), a South African choir winner of three Grammy Awards, and Mississippi Mass Choir (December 7, 10 and 11), a Christmas classic after 14 years performing in Spain, will take the stage.
📍 Location: Fernán Gómez Theater, Centro Cultural de la Villa (Plaza de Colón, 4).
Circo Price at Christmas
The perfect plan with children for the December long weekend includes the traditional Christmas show of Circo Price. This year it presents a production in which five friends will face 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: Teatro Circo Price (Atocha round, 35)
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. So, one more year, for the December long weekend it will be possible to make the classic tour to see them. 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. Among the novelties of the lights that will illuminate the city this year is sustainability, thanks to the use of LED bulbs.
📍 Location: different locations in Madrid
Visiting the most Christmas villages of the CAM.
The House of the Three Wise Men in Bustarviejo, the monumental Nativity Scene in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the Magical Christmas in Torrejón de Ardoz… It’s time to get out of the center of Madrid to see all that the most Christmas-like towns and cities in the CAM have to offer. You may have already seen the lights of the capital, and even bought something in one of the markets that are scattered around the city, but the Christmas plans continue outside the M-30.
📍 Location: various locations
This article has been written by María F. Carballo and Elena Francés.