If you are going to spend Christmas in Madrid, you should know that you have chosen one of the best European cities to spend these special dates.
In addition to all the leisure and cultural offerings that the Spanish capital has to offer throughout the year, at Christmas time we are going to find many novelties that will make the city an even more beautiful place than it already is.
Join us on this walk through the most important Christmas events in Madrid; from Puerta del Sol to ice skating, and if you’re a food lover, don’t go too far because we’ll be talking about lots of sweet treats.
Christmas in Madrid
Christmas lights
Since the end of November, Madrid officially kicks off the Christmas season with the switching on of its lights. In this way, plus the typical decorations in the streets, shops and other establishments, Christmas is already in the air.
And if you want to see all the lights in the city, from the most spectacular to the smallest and most decorated, take a trip on the Naviluz bus, where you won’t miss a thing of the most illuminated and Christmasy Madrid. You will visit emblematic places such as Gran Vía, Plaza Cibeles, Paseo de Recoletos or Calle Serrano.
Christmas markets
The flea market runs through the blood of Madrid and seems to be in the DNA of the Madrilenians, so imagine what happens at Christmas. That’s right, more markets, but this time Christmas markets.
The most important of all the Christmas markets is the one that takes place, year after year, in the Plaza Mayor. More than 100 stalls where you can find everything you need to keep up with Christmas; from figurines for the Nativity Scene to trees, decorations and clothes. It’s a historic event in the city that you can’t miss.
But it’s not the only one, as you can imagine. The Feria Mercado de Artesanía de la Comunidad de Madrid is another regular, and one of our favourites, where more than 150 artisans gather on Paseo de Recoletos to offer you their fantastic creations; from all the Christmas textiles you can imagine to ceramics and lots of toys to give the Three Wise Men a hand with their purchases.
The centrally located Plaza de Isabel II is also on our list with its traditional Christmas stalls full of decorations and figurines. Although you can be the big figure yourself if you show off your skating talent on the ice rink.
Near the Reina Sofía Museum, in the Plaza de Juan Goytisolo, you have another obligatory stop if you want to take a look at the best Christmas decorations. And while you’re here, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the three museums of the so-called ‘Art Triangle’; Museo Reina Sofía, Museo del Prado and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Nativity Scenes
If you are a traditional person, one of those who can’t understand Christmas without lights, without a tree and without a Nativity Scene, this will interest you a lot. We bring you a selection of just some of the best known, most popular and most beautiful nativity scenes in Madrid.
Take a stroll through this route of the nativity scenes and, as well as enjoying this marvellous manual work of patience and detail, take the opportunity to enjoy a warm drink in the streets of Madrid.
We begin with the work of art that is mounted year after year in the Church of San Ginés, in Calle Arenal. The baroque façade is the main protagonist, with its nativity scene made up of life-size figures.
We take a small leap towards the spectacular, and go to the Real Casa de Correos, where a spectacular Nativity Scene with more than 150 figures is on display. Moreover, every year it undergoes changes in its theme, so you will never see the same Nativity scene twice over the years.
However, if we are talking about spectacularity and beauty, we have to finish our tour of Madrid and its nativity scenes in the Royal Palace of Madrid. The Nativity Scene known as the Neapolitan Nativity Scene is a very popular stop for locals and tourists who love nativity scenes. Stop by the Salón de Alabarderos to enjoy a piece of history.
Nougat Museum | Turrón Museum
We continue with another classic of these dates, what would Christmas be without nougat? And we’re not talking about any particular brand or flavour, nor are we going to advertise it for free, but about nougat in general.
This marvel of Christmas gastronomy has a fantastic history and deserves to be known. In Turrones Casa 1880 Arenal, in Calle del Arenal, 18, you will find the first nougat museum in Madrid.
Let yourself be carried away by the smells and flavours of this magical corner of the capital. And, of course, don’t forget to take home a souvenir of your visit, and try not to eat it on the way. At least wait until you get home.
Roscón de Reyes
We can’t avoid talking about food, because at this time of year, if there’s one thing we do, without exception, it’s eat like real animals. But everything has its history and its intention. Christmas without Roscón de Reyes? That’s not Christmas, that’s a very boring winter.
With or without dried fruit, without filling or with the classic filling of cream, cream or chocolate, whatever it is, they are as necessary as the Three Wise Men themselves. Now there are as many varieties and flavours as you can imagine, and we encourage you to try them all.
Christmas as a child
To enjoy like a dwarf, that’s the mission. Christmas visits us to bring us illusion and joy. So let’s reciprocate by doing our part and getting ready to have a great time. Ideas?
Ours is clear; attractions. And we’re not talking about a live guy, we’re talking about a proper amusement park. We start with Warner Park. A real luxury in the capital for amusement park lovers.
34 attractions, themed decoration, from the Wild West to DC Super Heroes World. Plus, for special dates like Halloween and Christmas, they put on their best clothes, with brutal decorations and live shows.
Our second choice is the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, which takes Christmas very seriously. From December until the arrival of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men, everything here is fun and magic.
As well as being a veteran of the city’s entertainment scene, with more than 50 years of experience, they know all about the big events and moments throughout the year, so they pull out all the stops to make sure your experience there is perfect, whatever your age.
Ice Skating
How nice to skate on ice surrounded by Christmas lights. Well, you can make it happen, take out that romantic movie image and bring it to reality. Be warned, you may not skate as well as you imagined.
Some of the rinks that don’t fail Christmas after Christmas and that we recommend you to visit, whether you skate or if it’s your first time or you just want to enjoy the atmosphere, are:
The Plaza España rink, which may be the most popular in the capital, both for its beauty and its location, next to major monuments. Also stop by the Palacio de Cibeles and enter its Galería de Cristal. Here the rink is indoor, so nothing can stop your frenetic urge to ice skate. As with the rink in Plaza España, it is quite busy.
In addition to the one we mentioned above in Plaza Juan Goytisolo, you should also escape to Matadero, where not only culture is in the air, but also an impressive Christmas spirit.
We finish in Plaza Colón, in the ice rink of the world champion skater Javier Fernández. One of the most professional and where you will probably find more people who know a lot about this world. Is that going to be an impediment to take your first steps? Not at all.
Grandes del Gospel
Another Madrid classic returns for Christmas. The Grandes del Gospel Madrid Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year 2024, so we expect nothing less than spectacular, as we are accustomed to.
World-class Gospel artists come together in this event that has become a must for anyone who sets foot in Madrid. From December in the Sala Guirau of the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa, you will be able to enjoy the best Gospel in the world.
Christmas Lottery Draw
Miiiiiiiiil Eeeeeuros, that´s what you will hear during the lottery most of the time, which is pretty much thousand pounds. Christmas, luck and illusion come together at the Teatro Real. In equal parts. As has been the case since 2012, the Teatro Real hosts the Christmas Lottery draw.
The children of San Ildefonso are tuning up their throats to sing and share their hopes with the whole country. We will dream all morning on 22 December about what we will do with the money we are going to win in the lottery. Because whatever happens, every year we have the feeling that this year is ours.
Whether it’s watching it on TV somewhere while eating a typical Christmas meal or being lucky enough to see it from the inside, the Christmas Lottery Draw is something so Christmassy and beautiful that it’s already in our DNA.
13th Santa Claus Run
Forget about ultramodern clothes, here what you have to wear is clear: your trusty running shoes and a Father Christmas suit. From the Paseo de Recoletos, hundreds of Father Christmas start this popular five-kilometre race that grows in importance and fun every year.
San Silvestre Vallecana 2024
Although if we talk about races, there is an absolute queen in this discipline in Madrid; the San Silvestre Vallecana. In 2024 it will celebrate its 60th edition, which will make it even more special.
It is one of the most important sporting events of its kind in the world. It has two modalities; a popular race and a professional one. More than 40,000 runners will take the start and will continue to make history in a race that has been held since 1964, are you ready to be part of it?
New Year’s Eve at Puerta del Sol
There is no better place in Spain than here. This is where the years end and begin, watching the twelve chimes ring out from the clock of the Real Casa de Correos. Join the party of more than 15,000 people who gather at Puerta del Sol to welcome the new year as it deserves.
Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men | Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos
One of the events we look forward to the most, even though it also means the end of Christmas; the Three Wise Men parade. In it the Three Wise Men, accompanied by all their royal pages and helpers, go through the streets of Madrid greeting all the children and adults, handing out sweets and presents.
Being magical they allow you to be in several places at once, so you can choose where to go to see them. Each neighbourhood in Madrid has its own parade, with its own unique charm. Although the main parade is the one that starts at Paseo de la Castellana at 18:30. Don’t forget to visit the stage that is set up every year at the Palacio de Cibeles.
At the end of the parade, the Three Wise Men will say a few words and then there will be a fireworks display that will delight everyone. And remember to go to bed early and get plenty of sleep, as it is a magical night, full of gifts and illusion.