Your guide for Christmas in Madrid

Madrid at Christmas is decorated with lights and Christmas motifs everywhere, the streets are filled with people from all over the world, and there are markets, shows, and plans on almost every corner.

If you come during these dates, between the end of November and the beginning of January, you will immediately notice that Christmas is celebrated in a big way here—worthy of a capital city! There is more movement in the street, more atmosphere, and more desire to go out, even though this month is quite cold in the city.

And of course, with so much on offer, it’s easy to get a little lost. What to see in Madrid at Christmas? Where are the markets that are really worth it? What plans can you skip without remorse?

In this guide, we are going to shed light on all this and much more, so that you can spend your Christmas in Madrid without missing any of the essentials.

City lighting and decoration that you can't miss

The lights are one of the great attractions of Madrid in December. From the end of November, the city is illuminated with millions of LED bulbs, and many of its main streets become a perfect route for strolling: Serrano, Velázquez, Alcalá, Gran Vía, Fuencarral, and Preciados are among the most spectacular.

A simple and very rewarding route is to start at the Puerta del Sol and walk to the Plaza Mayor at dusk. Sol shows off its giant tree and is always full of people; the square, on the other hand, maintains a more traditional style, reminiscent of Christmases of yesteryear.

If you are looking for something more striking, head to the Plaza de España area. Here, monumental trees, huge figures, and themed spaces that change every year are usually installed. It is one of the most photogenic spots and one of the most atmospheric at this time of year.

And you can’t leave the city without seeing the Madrid Botanical Garden at Christmas. With the «Naturaleza Encendida» show, the venue is transformed every night into an immersive tour full of light and colors, a very different experience from the one you are going to have in the city center… much quieter!

There are many Christmas markets in Madrid

At Christmas, Madrid is full of markets, and each one has its own style. The most famous is the Plaza Mayor market, an absolute classic: red booths, nativity scene figures, Christmas decorations, April Fool’s Day jokes, and a constant coming and going of people. It is the most traditional and the one that concentrates the most atmosphere.

But don’t just stay there. In the Plaza de España, a much larger market is installed every year, with craft stalls, local products, food, and also surprising drinks such as hot mulled wine.

If you like design or are looking for more original gifts, take note of these names: Nómada Market, Mercado del Gato, and the various pop-ups that arise in Madrid neighborhoods such as Malasaña, Justicia, or Salamanca. They are ideal for finding small brands, different objects, and proposals that are not usually seen in conventional stores.

If you are one of those who enjoy rummaging, make your getaway to Madrid coincide with a Sunday and stop by El Rastro, you will find stalls of antique dealers, bookstores, art, vintage clothing, curious objects, everything!

And since you are going to move around the city a lot, you may be interested in using the Madrid Christmas Bus or the Hop On Hop Off Madrid tourist transport to easily get from one market to another.

The traditional nativity scene route in Madrid

If there is something that is part of the identity of Christmas in Madrid, it is the nativity scenes. Every year, more than a hundred are installed throughout the city, from the most traditional to artistic proposals and monumental installations that attract thousands of visitors. They are spread throughout museums, churches, cultural centers, and municipal buildings, so it is easy to find several simply by walking around.

Among the best known is the Nativity Scene of the Madrid City Council, one of the great essentials. It is installed in the Palacio de Cibeles and usually brings together a monumental installation with hundreds of figures and a circular set design that allows it to be seen in 360°. It is probably the most visited nativity scene in Madrid and one of the best examples of the Spanish nativity scene tradition.

Another classic is the Nativity Scene of the Museo de San Isidro, where a scene is usually set up in almost real size and an exhibition of nativity scenes from different countries.

Very close by is also the Nativity Scene of the Museum of the History of Madrid, famous for its 18th-century Neapolitan installation. Its figures, full of details, represent both biblical scenes and everyday scenes of the town.

At Christmas, it is also common for the Royal Palace to exhibit its own historical nativity scene, in the Neapolitan style, started in the times of Carlos III and expanded generation after generation. It is one of the most surprising for its artistic value.

And if you are interested in discovering different styles, the city hosts several exhibitions of the Basanta-Martín Collection, one of the most important sets of nativity scenes in the world. Its pieces—from dozens of countries and made of all kinds of materials—are usually distributed in different districts.

If you like nativity scenes, Madrid at Christmas is a small paradise. There are so many styles, sizes, and approaches that you can find everything from classic nativity scenes to much more original ones, made with plasticine or even with Playmobil figures.

And although it is not a nativity scene as such, Cortylandia also deserves a special mention: an animated recreation full of figurines that come to life and that, every year, turns the toys of El Corte Inglés into a small Christmas show that delights both children and adults.

Ice rinks

Christmas is also not conceived without the traditional ice rinks that appear every year throughout Madrid. The ones that never fail are usually installed in emblematic spaces such as the Matadero or the Crystal Gallery of the Palacio de Cibeles, where skating becomes a plan as Christmassy as it is photogenic. Others are set up in neighborhoods such as Puente de Vallecas or Entrevías, more family-friendly and perfect if you are looking for something less touristy.

In general, they work with passes for a limited time, and you can rent the skates there. Of course, don’t forget to wear gloves; they are mandatory in almost all of them.

Shows and plans to do at Christmas in Madrid

Christmas in Madrid is not only experienced by walking through the illuminated streets; it is also enjoyed through a cultural program that grows and reinvents itself every year.

One of the plans that is most surprising is the show «Una Navidad de Luz» (A Christmas of Light), an immersive videomapping that transforms the Central Courtyard of Condeduque into a space where architecture, technology, image, and sound mix to tell a different story each season.

This proposal is joined by the theaters and halls throughout the city, which in December multiply their billboard with musicals, Christmas shows, family performances, and also some of the best flamenco shows in Madrid.

The Gran Vía is filled with large productions, while the smaller theaters offer works and shows of all kinds: humor, concerts, magic, or experimental proposals.

In addition, outdoor shows are organized every year that fill squares and cultural centers with magic, participatory games, workshops, concerts, and theatrical performances for all ages.

If you want to see everything that is offered this year, you just have to consult the complete program of Christmas in Madrid or download the program, which details all the activities, dates, and proposals spread throughout the city.

Are you coming to Madrid at Christmas?

And after so many lights, markets, ice rinks, shows, and plans throughout the city… it’s time to say goodbye to Christmas in Madrid. And it’s time to do it as tradition dictates: with the Cavalcade of Kings, the spectacular parade that marks the end of the holidays.

Every January 5, Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar travel through the center of the city in a cavalcade full of music, huge floats, and perfectly characterized characters who throw candy in all directions. The parade always starts at 6:00 PM in the Castellana area and advances towards Cibeles, turning the walk into an authentic river of families and the perfect farewell to Christmas in Madrid.

And now that you have everything, the desire to come and the planning almost refined, all you have to do is click here and book the best accommodation in the city with WAOU RENTALS.