Between the lighting of lights, Christmas markets and queues at Doña Manolita, we can say that Christmas has officially arrived in Madrid. And as there is no Christmas without fish drinking in the river or burritos sabaneros on the way to Bethlehem, the capital has a wide program of live music with a Christmas theme.
An agenda of which is part of the historic Ateneo de Madrid, which only this December 26 will be covered with candles to give a concert of Christmas carols with a group of live musicians. And tickets are flying.
Concert program
This intimate staging is the hallmark of Candlelight concerts, which in this case will pay tribute to those iconic carols that we relate to the smell of cinnamon, the decorated tree in the living room (fake or not), and the movie The Holiday.
Their programming includes everything from classic tunes like Silent Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, or Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, to more modern tunes. Namely: All I Want For Christmas Is You, Snowman, Sleigh Ride or It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. A long list of carols that will be performed live by the Buble Trio.
The Ateneo de Madrid, “Temple of Wisdom”.
Being in Madrid and saying that a building is historic is like going to the beach and saying that the water is salty, but in the case of the Ateneo de Madrid its history goes beyond the years. It was created in 1820 with the aim of being a center of debate and cultural dissemination, and today remains one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Spain.
Known as the “temple of wisdom”, Federico García Lorca, who was Vice President of the Literature Section, passed through its library. Also Emilia Pardo Bazán, who was the first woman to become a member of the Ateneo in 1905, and Albert Einstein, who gave a lecture in its auditorium.
Located at Calle del Prado, 21 (Centro), its current program is as active as when it was created, with events ranging from exhibitions and concerts to book presentations.
Other concerts in Madrid this Christmas
In addition to the shows at Cortylandia (just kidding but it’s no joke), the capital has already announced several concerts that we will be able to enjoy during the Christmas season.
For those looking for more concerts with Christmas repertoires like the one at the Ateneo, the Four Seasons Hotel will give a concert of Christmas movie soundtracks on December 21, and the Círculo de Bellas Artes of Christmas classics on December 26. If you’re in the mood for something a little less funfunfun, the Teatro Gran Vía will recreate the mythical New Year’s concert with the Johan Strauss Ensemble on January 4.