If you are looking for a different place to celebrate your next Christmas, how about planning a trip to the capital of Spain? During this time of year, the city transforms into a fairytale setting filled with lights, markets, ice-skating rinks and the aroma of roasted chestnuts and chocolate with churros. What’s more, you’ll be able to experience two unique events that make Madrid such a special place during the festive season: New Year’s Eve at the Puerta del Sol on 31 December and the spectacular Three Kings parade on 5 January.
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Madrid sparkles
From around the end of November until 6 January, the city's streets are illuminated with thousands of lights specially created by designers. It’s truly lovely to take a stroll past some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Plaza de España, the Gran Vía, Calle Alcalá, the Paseo de la Castellana, Retiro Park or the Royal Palace, and admire incredible decorations such as a giant 3D Christmas bauble that lights up in time to the music, or Christmas trees created using thousands of coloured fairy lights.As well as walking, there are other ways to enjoy this spectacle. For example, having a drink on the rooftop terraces found at various hotels and restaurants along the Gran Vía, or hopping on the Naviluz, a double-decker bus that travels along the main streets decorated with Christmas lights. You can also take a ride on the Christmas Train, organised by the Spanish Railways Foundation, aboard a historic train (the Strawberry Train), which departs from the Railway Museum.The illuminations, alongside other technological features, take centre stage in the ‘Naturaleza Encendida’ experience. This experience, suitable for all ages, features a different theme each year and winds through the greenery of one of the city's historic parks or gardens.
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Markets, nativity scenes and other Christmas events
The quintessential Christmas market in Madrid is undoubtedly the one in the Plaza Mayor. Here, both locals and visitors from all over the world have a great time browsing the wooden stalls for souvenirs as varied as nativity figures, musical instruments, Christmas decorations and toys… Make the most of your visit to this iconic square by seeing the nativity scene set up there, although every year other very popular displays are also put on at venues such as the Casa de Correos or the Royal Palace.Christmas in Madrid is also synonymous with music, as the city’s most iconic temples, such as La Almudena Cathedral, frequently organise concerts. Various cultural centres, including the Circo Price and Matadero, offer special programmes featuring children's workshops and immersive experiences. What’s more, you can also go and see a classical music performance at the fantastic Teatro Real.Sport is certainly not to be outdone during these festivities. In fact, the most popular athletic event in Spain takes place at Christmas: the San Silvestre Vallecana. Since 1964, every 31 December, thousands of runners (as well as professional athletes who run separately) have been running 10 kilometres from the vicinity of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium to the Vallecas Stadium in a festive atmosphere: with families, with friends, in fancy dress…
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Christmas flavours
And if there is one thing that is essential to the festive culinary experience, it is traditional sweets. Marzipan and turrón are among the best known, so why not take the opportunity to visit the Turrón Museum, the first museum dedicated to this delicacy, which you’ll find on Calle Arenal in the city centre.Another sweet treat that is a true classic of the Spanish Christmas season is the roscón de Reyes. We recommend trying it at one of the city’s century-old patisseries, such as the Antigua Pastelería del Pozo, considered to be the oldest in Madrid and one of the oldest in Spain.And if you fancy trying the traditional churros with hot chocolate, one of the most legendary places to do so is undoubtedly San Ginés.Looking for something that isn’t sweet? It's quite an experience to go to the emblematic Lhardy restaurant -whose Christmas decorations are always wonderful- and try their consommé to warm up. You're going to love it.
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Two unmissable events
If you come to Madrid at Christmas, mark two essential dates on your calendar. The first, on 31 December. To celebrate New Year's Eve, hundreds of people gather at Puerta del Sol at midnight to bid farewell to the year to the sound of the 12 chimes of the clock in the square. Tradition dictates that you must eat a grape for each chime of the bell. Did you know that all national television channels broadcast this clock at that time so that everyone can follow this tradition in their homes? In fact, the so-called ‘preuvas’ – the dress rehearsal held at midnight on the previous evening, 30 December – have also become very popular, and you can attend these too.The second date you mustn’t miss if you want to make the little ones in the family happy is 5 January. Spain has a tradition that is unique in the world: on the night of 5-6 January, the Three Kings leave gifts in the homes of all children while they sleep. But first, in the afternoon, they travel through the streets in a parade featuring fantastic floats that are sure to spark your imagination. Although parades take place all over Spain, the one in Madrid is considered one of the most spectacular.
As you can see, Madrid is full of pleasant surprises at Christmas. And don't forget, if you love shopping, the city is also a Christmas shopping paradise, with streets like Serrano and Gran Vía, as well as the iconic El Corte Inglés department store. And if you are staying for a few days, you might also want to plan a short trip to nearby destinations like Torrejón de Ardoz, home to one of Spain's largest Christmas parks, or Buitrago de Lozoya, famous for its living nativity scene.For more information, you can check out this year's full Christmas programme. See you in Madrid!
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