Don’t know what to do at Christmas in Madrid? Here are our suggestions for some fun activities and plans that you can enjoy with family or friends.
At this special time of year, the streets of the capital are filled with colour and lights. There are some very funny Christmas shows that we recommend you visit, not to mention the traditional nativity scenes and Christmas markets. We’ll tell you where to find them, the dates that they are open and how much they cost.
Don’t miss the Christmas lights in the city centre, a tour of the traditional nativity scenes, the Christmas markets, the New Year’s Eve grapes at the Puerta de Sol, the Christmas Lottery on December 22nd and the Epiphany procession in the new year. Let us tell you more about all these festive events in the capital.
A 45-minute bus ride to see the Christmas lights in Madrid city centre. The journey is as follows:
Dates and times: From November 29th to January 6th, Thursday to Saturday and public holidays, from 18:00 to 00:00, starting at Plaza Colón.
Price: standard admission – €4.00, children under 7 – free. Concessions for people with reduced mobility and over 65s – €2.00. Advance purchase is recommended as tickets sell out quickly.
A kilometre and a half long tour full of Christmas spirit. The botanical garden is located at 2, Plaza Murillo. It is a fairy tale place, with striking lights and original figures.
Dates and times: From November 19th to January 6th, from 18:00 to 23:00.
Price: From €9.90.
With games, stories and magical characters, kids are sure to love this. From Príncipe Pío station to Pitis station.
Dates and times: From December 22nd to January 5th, from 10:00 to 15:00.
Price: Adults – €9.00, children – €7.20.
A group of Christmas trees in the Royal Post Office where you can hang a paper bauble with your Christmas wishes.
Dates and times: December 11th, 14:30 to 17:30; December 12th, 10:00 to 21:30; December 24th & 31st, 10:00 to 14:30; December 25th & January 1st, 15:00 to 21:30; January 5th, 10:00 to 14:30.
Free entry.
The show in the Corte Inglés department store on Calle Preciados. Around 35 figures create a unique show lasting fifteen minutes.
Dates and times: November 15th to January 6th, 12:00 to 21:00.
Free entry.
Sir Owl lives in a railway station. A train arrives, full of musicians, tamers, acrobats …find out what happens next at the Circo Price Theatre!
Dates and times: From November 29th to January 5th, at the Price Theatre. Performances at 12:00 and 19:30.
Price: from €9.00.
The production company ‘Smiles’ brings this show to IFEMA. Around 45 artists are part of this show, full of acrobatics, music and laughter and performed on ice!
Dates and times: From November 15th to January 12th, performances at 12:00, 16:30 and 19:30.
Price: from €17.00 to €56.00.
Located in the Puerta del Sol, this is the most visited of the traditional nativity scenes, with over 500 figures.
Dates and times: Open from December 11th to January 5th, 10:00 to 21:30 (until 18:00 on December 24th, 31th and January 5th). Closed on December 25th and January 1st.
Free entry.
Figures created by José Luis Mayo. Open from 6th December until 6th January (closed on 1st December). Located at 1, Plaza Cibeles. Free entry.
Dates and times: 10:00 to 20:00, (closing at 14:00 on 24th, 25th, 31st December and 5th January).
Free entry.
This nativity scene boasts over 200 Neapolitan-style figures. Located in Calle de Bailén.
Dates and times: From December 18th to January 7th, 10:00 to 18:00.
Free entry.
Featuring figures from the Olot school of painting, simulating the old 19th-century Descalzas square.
Dates and times: Open from December 11th to January 14th, Tuesday to Saturday (10:00 to 13:45, then 16:00 to 18:15) and Sundays from 11:00 to 14:45.
Free entry.
A large number of stalls selling Christmas items such as caps, tambourines, traditional nativity figures or sweets.
Dates and times: From November 23rd to December 31st, Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 21:00 (weekends, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and public holidays until 22:00).
Free entry.
Famous for its pottery and jewellery, you can visit for free at Paseo de Recoletos.
Dates and times: Open from December 1st to 30th, from 11:00 to 21:00 (until 15:00 on December 24th and 30th).
Free entry.
A pop-up market in Los Ejércitos Cultural Center boasting two floors of original articles and over 120 stalls.
Dates and times: Open from December 13th to January 5th, from 11:00 to 21:00.
Free entry.
The Epiphany procession
The Three Kings will visit Madrid on January 5th, accompanied by many floats and artists. The procession begins at 18:30 from Plaza San Juan de la Cruz, ending at Plaza de Cibeles.
Free entry.
400m² ice rink at the Palacio de Cibeles. Entry – €6.00.
Dates and times: From December 21st to January 5th, Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 21:00.
Free entry.
On December 31st, celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Puerta del Sol. People begin to arrive around 21:00 to find a good place in front of the clock.
Free entry.
The lottery is held at the Teatro Real and over €2,200,000 is distribute in prizes. The lottery is held on December 22nd, and begins at 08:00. We recommend that you arrive early as there is a capacity limit at the venue.
Free entry.
Madrid is a city with hundreds of Christmas activities. Enjoy all these plans with your family and friends. Visit the capital of Spain these holidays and use the M-30 if you need to get around by car. Check for Christmas traffic restrictions, but above all, enjoy! Merry Christmas!
