There are many holidays enlivening the streets of Madrid, but none of them adorns the city as a whole like Christmas. The streets, squares, and houses are illuminated with millions of light bulbs that meet the most stringent environmental and energy-efficient requirements. Famous designers, architects, and graphic designers work on creating the Christmas illumination in the city, which can be called a "light fashion show."
Plaza Mayor Christmas Market (November 25–December 31, 2023)
Plaza Mayor hosts the most famous Christmas market (Mercado de Navidad) in Madrid since the 19th century. It features over 100 tiny red stalls, where you can buy handmade gifts, decorations, and nativity scene figurines. Designer and craft fairs are held there on public holidays. The most popular items at El Mercado are nativity scenes, known as Belenes in Spanish, and funny figurines popular in Spain. The Plaza Mayor Christmas Market opens in late November and works through December, from 10 am to 9 pm (on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday Eve it is open till 10 pm.) The market also features a "solidary stand" occupied by various NGOs promoting their humanitarian projects.
Christmas market in Castellana (November 25–January 5, 2024)
Another Madrid Christmas market in Castellana is located in the shopping center El Corte Inglés near Nuevos Ministerios. Thanks to numerous stalls with colorful decorations, gifts, and food in the courtyard area, this market ignites cheerful Christmas vibes. Grab a cup of traditional Glühwein (mulled wine) and enjoy the Spanish Christmas atmosphere.
Nativity Scenes | Cortylandia (November–January 5, 2024)
Many churches and cultural centers show models of nativity scenes (Belenes) from the beginning of the journey of Mary and Joseph to the worship of the Magi. In the Corte Inglés, the royal pages and Papa Noël (Spanish Santa Claus) are awaiting letters from children. At the entrance to the El Corte Inglés shopping center on Maestro Victoria Street, you can see the Cortylandia show.
Christmas entertainment in Madrid
The city opens ice skating rinks and traditional carousels for the whole family in the Plaza Oriente and Santa Cruz. In the cultural centers of Conde Duque and CentroCentro, as well as in most of the capital's theatres, there are numerous performances for children (fairy tales, puppet shows, concerts). Since 2012, the Royal Theatre has been hosting one of the main Christmas events in Spain—the Christmas Festive Lottery, on the morning of December 22nd.
