As the holidays approach, Madrid is turning into a fantastic scenario of Charles Dickens’ stories. Although the traditional lemurs are not hanging from the sky of Fuencarral this year, squares such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España or Plaza Mayor itself already boast huge fir trees and decorations of all colors envelop the most emblematic buildings of the capital. Strolling through the streets is, at this time of year, an incomparable experience. And all, in large part, thanks to these Christmas lights that are scattered throughout Madrid.
This year’s Christmas lighting has presented new features and many modifications. With a Gran Vía full of plants, a giant poinsettia or some of the most striking motifs, Christmas 2023 has been crowned as the most curious of the last editions. Madrid’ s Christmas lights were switched on at the end of November and can now be enjoyed in almost every corner of the city. Many of them, unknown to most. Because yes, there are light shows beyond the classic LED panels of the great avenues. And here are the ones you can find this December.
Nature lit up
The new light show of Naturaleza Encendida, the light show that has been illuminating Real Jardín Botánico for years, has changed location this 2023 and has moved to Enrique Tierno Galván Park.
In this edition, the vegetation is dyed in dozens of different colors to make a journey through the fascinating world of insects. A magical and educational journey surrounded by bees, butterflies, dragonflies and lots of light that can be visited from November 21 to January 21.
Enrique Tierno Galván Park (Calle de Meneses, 4. Corner with Avenida del Planetario).
Candlelight
The series of candlelight concerts that recovers the most classic essence of musical shows continues to illuminate spaces in the capital with thousands and thousands of candles. Among them, the Ateneo de Madrid, the Four Seasons Hotel or the Círculo de Bellas Artes.
This December (and also in January) it will do so with tributes to artists such as Coldplay, La Oreja de Van Gogh, ABBA or Swan Lake, but also with recitals more typical for these dates as their <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://feverup.com/es/madrid/candlelight-christmas-concerts”””>special Christmas concerts</shortcode>. You can get tickets for your favorite tributes through <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” link_url=”https://feverup.com/es/madrid/candlelight”>this link</shortcode>.<br /> <br /> <br /> <em><img class=”emoji” role=”img” draggable=”false” src=”https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/svg/1f4cd.svg” alt=”📍” /> Different locations in downtown Madrid
Light show at the San Jerónimo El Real parish church.
The exterior of the Gothic parish church of San Jerónimo El Real, the temple next to the Prado Museum which is usually called Los Jerónimos, will be illuminated with a spectacle of light and color between December 21 and 23 from 18h to 24h.
This is an artistic intervention by the French lighting designer Patrice Warrener using Chromolithe®, a system he created himself. A different way to enjoy the traditional buildings.
San Jerónimo El Real Parish Church (Moreto Street, 4)
Magical Christmas in Torrejón
With the permission of Madrid, Torrejón is the most Christmas-like city in the community. That is where the Mágicas Navidades de Torrejón, the theme park dedicated solely and exclusively to this time of the year, is held. Among its attractions is a big Ferris wheel, Christmas lighting everywhere, amazing ice sculptures and shows of all kinds.
It opened its doors last November 30 and will remain open until January 7. So there is still plenty of time to visit (and enjoy). A magical plan at a very affordable price: tickets cost no more than 5 euros.
Christmas Park (100 meters from the Cercanías de Torrejón de Ardoz train station).
RIU Plaza de España
Two Decembers ago, the RIU Plaza de España hotel gave us one of the best Christmas gifts: a little glass balcony not suitable for people with vertigo that allowed us to see the entire Plaza de España from above. A gift that, after enchanting locals and visitors for two years, continues to crown the Edificio España this Christmas.
This transparent platform is not a light show in itself, but it allows us to enjoy the maze of Christmas lights that leave Plaza España and Gran Vía at its feet. A privileged place to enjoy the colors of Christmas from a different perspective.
Gran Vía Street, 84.
Westfield Parquesur
As in all big cities, Christmas lights have also filled the facilities of Madrid’s shopping centers. One of the most special of the community, as it faces these dates so marked is Westfield Parquesur.
This year, from November 30 until January 5, we can enjoy El Relojero, a fantastic Christmas experience inspired by the history of the Casa del Reloj de Leganés that will feature Santa Claus, the Three Wise Men, concerts, workshops and, of course, incredible Christmas lights.
El Lago area of the Westfield Parquesur shopping center (avenida de Gran Bretaña, s/n, Leganés).
Light and sound show at the Real Casa de Correos (Royal Post Office).
One of the most awaited novelties of this Christmas takes place in the very center of the capital: in Puerta del Sol. For the first time in its history, the facade of the Real Casa de Correos, where every New Year’s Eve the twelve bells ring, will offer a striking spectacle of light and sound thanks to the peculiar technique of videomapping.
An XXL audiovisual piece that will need 400 meters of LED strips, 1,800 meters of cabling and 60 efficient lighting bulbs to be carried out and that will have several shows a day. It will start at dusk and will make three shows an hour. So until January 7, 2024.
Plaza Puerta del Sol, 7
Genesis
Taking over from Christmas, on January 5 Genesis will be installed in Madrid , a show of colors, shapes, music and light that will go through all the nooks and crannies of the interior of the German-speaking Evangelical Church of Madrid.
A show that combines the latest technology with art and spirituality to create a unique experience in the capital. Its objective is to make us part of a spectacular tribute to the first dawn, as the muses of Hercules would say.A journey to the creation of the Earth that will stage the birth of life at different moments.
German-speaking Evangelical Community – Friedenskirche (Paseo de la Castellana, 6)
Northern Lights by Dan Acher
Although it would be a fantasy, this Christmas we won’t be able to see real aurora borealis in the capital. What we will be able to see is Borealis, a recreation of this astronomical phenomenon in the heart of the city.
This artistic installation, created by the talented Dan Acher and accompanied by the music of Guillaume Desbois, will run from December 15 to 22 from 7pm to 11pm in the central courtyard of the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Conde Duque. Undoubtedly, a very wintry -and very special- event that will also be accompanied by many others such as the presence of colorful floating spheres in Madrid Rio (as we can see in the photo).
Centro de Cultura Contemporánea Conde Duque (Calle del Conde Duque, 9 y 11)
Fireworks show
The final (and never better said) of this Christmas will be the fireworks show that every year can be enjoyed from the Puerta del Sol, with the mouth full of grapes, once twelve o’clock and the new year begins. There is still not much information about it but tradition in these cases rules and we are sure that this 2024 will start with thousands of flashes illuminating the night. From Madrid to the sky. And if that sky is full of dazzling fireworks, even better.
Puerta del Sol