Madrid is decked out for Christmas. It puts on its best lights and decorations to celebrate the festive season and enjoy a few days with special activities for young and old. Touring the capital at this time of year is taking a stroll through the city's most traditional craft markets, contemplating the nativity scenes on display in churches and institutions, seeing the lights from an EMT bus, ice skating with your children or friends, going to the circus, the theatre, listening to music or looking for the best spot in the city to eat a good "roscón de reyes" (ring-shaped cake). And to top it all off, it's going to the Three Kings parade on the evening of 5 January.
So that you don't miss out on anything, stay with us. You won't have enough days to take in everything the capital has to offer during this time of year. Let yourself be carried away by the Christmas spirit because we're going for a walk!
Under the Christmas lights
It is a classic of the festive season. Going out into the street to be enveloped by the magic of Christmas. Every year, children love to see the lights and trees decorated in every corner of the city. Multicoloured Christmas objects transform Puerta de Sol, Plaza de Callao, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de España, Plaza de Colón, San Juan de la Cruz, Calle Fuencarral, Goya and Serrano.
Passacaglia of Light
The winter solstice takes place on 21 December. And to celebrate the longest night of the year, there is a Parades of Light in Madrid Río. A spectacle of paper lanterns parading at dusk. You can make your own and take it to the parade. Afterwards you can't miss the fireworks in front of Príncipe Pío. For safety reasons, flying lanterns cannot be launched, as has been the case in previous years.
Naviluz
Once again this year the EMT is running this Christmas bus service. It is one of the favourite plans for families. It is a comfortable way to see the Christmas lights in the city centre thanks to the fact that the upper deck is open to the public. Since last year, tickets have been on sale in advance on their website and they sell out quickly. This way you can be sure of a date and time for your tour, because the first few years there were kilometres of queues at Colón.. The Naviluz service runs from 29 November to 6 January. It departs from the Plaza de Colón and runs along the main avenues of the city.
ATTENTION: ALL TICKETS ARE ALREADY SOLD OUT!
A stroll through the Christmas markets
A visit to the traditional Market in the Plaza Mayor. More than 100 stalls selling handmade figures for the nativity scene and all kinds of Christmas decorations, including trees, with their lights, garlands and coloured balls. You can also see toys and joke articles, essential for celebrating April Fools' Day. They are open to the public from 23 November, to give us time to do our shopping, until 31 December. From 10 am to 10.30 pm on weekends.
Craft Fair 2018. Other years it has been set up in the Plaza de España, but this Christmas we will be able to enjoy 170 artisan workshops in the Paseo de Recoletos. From 1 to 30 December, from 11 am to 9 pm.
The floats of the Three Wise Men
This year the Madrid City Council has prepared a float where the people of Madrid can leave written wishes for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar. These wishes will then be paraded on the night of the Three Wise Men in the traditional parade. This activity is open to the public from 21 December to 2 January, from 11 am to 9 pm. On the 24th and 31st the opening hours are shorter: from 11 am to 6 pm. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. In calle Montalbán number 1, Town Hall.
Cortylandia
Another of Madrid's Christmas classics. Every year this large shopping centre on Calle Preciados prepares a show for the little ones to the sound of the famous song “Cortylandia, cortylandia, let's all sing...”. This year the protagonists are a friendly group of dogs who will tell us the story “Wow, it's Christmas already. The performances are every day at 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20 and 21 h; on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays also at 17 h.
Christmas Trains
Train from Príncipe Pío to Pitis
It is a wooden train from the 1920s that makes daily trips back and forth between the stations of Príncipe Pío and Pitis. On the 5th of January, the Three Wise Men visit the train with their pages, to the surprise of the little ones. It is necessary to buy tickets through the RENFE website. More information on telephone: 912 320 320
Chamartín-Torrejón train
This is the other Christmas train that arrives from Madrid to the town of Torrejón de Ardoz. Once you land at European Capital of Christmas, You will have 2 hours to enjoy the activities and shows that have been prepared this year. All the information on timetables and prices for this Christmas train can be found on its website. The tickets can also be purchased at the telephone: 910 200 782
Carousel of the Plaza de Oriente
This classic two-storey vintage-style carousel is once again part of the decoration of the Plaza de Oriente. From the long weekend in December until 1 January, the little ones will be able to climb up and enjoy its music. It is located in front of the Royal Palace Gardens.
Show for all
Circus Price
It has become a family Christmas tradition. This year you can enjoy Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol. An original show that combines circus, theatre and gospel music, with a spectacular visual display.
Apocalypse
The heads of the Circus of Horrors, arrives in Madrid this circus show set to opera-rock music and with more than 50 artists on stage. The plot takes us to the world of collapse, with wars, diseases and fights between races that have left our planet without resources and in a deplorable state. This mix of musical theatre and circus is at the Caja Mágica until after Christmas. Prices range from 31 € to 61 €. You can find all the information on their website.
Circlassica
The versatile Emilio Aragón is behind this circus show. Trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists and, of course, a clown, who will tell us a beautiful story of love for a dancer. A small orchestra of nine musicians and the traditional red and white circus tent await us this Christmas.
Skating rinks
If you like to put on your skates and glide across the ice, read on because you'll be interested to know about the ice rinks that have been installed all over the city this Christmas.
Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace
Every year, a large indoor ice rink is set up here, along with a huge Christmas tree and several igloos that are used as a stage for storytelling and workshops for children. It will be open to the public from 21 December to 5 January. From 11am to 9pm (opening hours may vary depending on public holidays).
Ice rink in Colón
A rink has been set up in the same square for years where you can rent your skates for as long as you like. Open from 1 December to 7 January. From 10 am to 10 pm.
Vallecas Bridge
Located on the boulevard of Avenida de Entrevías. Open from 22 December to 7 January. From 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Vicálvaro
Ice skating has become a tradition in this other Madrid neighbourhood. You can do so at the Polideportivo fairgrounds, from 11 December to 7 January. From 10 am to 10 pm
Villa de Vallecas
The rink is located on the boulevard of Paseo Federico García Lorca, from 3 December to 6 January, between 10am and 10pm.
Nativity Scenes Route
This is one of the most traditional activities in our city. A route through the most impressive nativity scenes; Baroque, Castilian, popular or Neapolitan. A perfect plan to do with the little ones who will be amazed by the staging that has been prepared in each one of them.
Nativity Scene of the Real Casa de Correos
This is the nativity scene that is installed in the Real Casa de Correos de la Puerta de Sol. It is made up of more than 500 figures and each year has a different theme. The Asociación de Belenistas de Madrid is behind the creation of this traditional nativity scene. It can be visited until 5 January, from 10am to 9pm. Be aware of the queues that form at the entrance, in Calle Correos! We recommend you go first thing in the morning.
Neapolitan Nativity Scene of the Royal Palace
Its origin is due to the collection started by King Charles III for his son. Since then, more than 200 pieces, including figures and Neapolitan houses, have been exhibited in the Royal Palace in Madrid. If you would like to visit, it has been open to the public free of charge since 6 December, until 7 January. From 10 am to 6 pm.
Bethlehem of the Town Hall
The Asociación de Belenistas de Madrid is also responsible for this popular municipal nativity scene, whose figures are the work of the artisan José Luis Mayo Lebrija. It can be visited from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until 7 January.
Bethlehem of the Convent of Las Carboneras
Behind the Plaza de la Villa, in the Plaza del Conde de Miranda, you can see a Mystery and a Cavalcade of the Three Kings with Baroque figures.
Nativity Scene of the Church of San Ginés
Very close to the Puerta de Sol, in Calle Arenal, is this spectacular nativity scene. It is a Baroque Mystery with life-size figures. It is inside the church and can be visited until 6 January, with opening hours from 9 am to 1 pm and in the evenings, from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Nativity Scene of the Museum of History of Madrid
Between Gran Vía and Malasaña, you will find the Museum of the History of Madrid (Calle Fuencarral 78). Inside and free of charge, you can visit this 18th century Neapolitan nativity scene. Opening hours from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 8 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Nativity Scene of the Church-Basilica of Jesús de Medinaceli
At this time of year, this church sets up its Baroque nativity scene with life-size figures. It is open to the public until 6 January, with varying opening hours depending on the day.
International Nativity Scenes of the Casa del Lector Matadero
The Casa del Lector in the Matadero cultural centre exhibits a collection of nativity scenes from various corners of the world, in which no detail of the Christian Christmas is missing, such as the Mystery or the Three Wise Men. This year the theme of the exhibition is “Silent Night”. It is open until 5 January from Monday to Friday, from 11am to 3pm and in the afternoon from 5pm to 9pm. At weekends, it is open from 11am to 9pm. Prices are €5 in general, but there is free admission for children under 10 and the disabled and reduced admission of €4 for the over 65s and large families.
Belén ABC Serrano
And we close our particular route through Madrid's nativity scenes in this shopping centre on Paseo de Recoletos. The Association of Nativity Scene Makers has installed this impressive Castilian-style nativity scene. It can be visited until 7 January, from 10 am to 9 pm.
Matadero de Madrid
The Matadero cultural centre deserves a special mention. This year it celebrates for the fourth consecutive year The Christmas International Fair of Cultures. This is a typical Christmas market, but with an international scope, where there is no lack of gastronomy, books, classical Christmas concerts, theatre sessions, cinema for all audiences, workshops, crafts and toys from all over the world.
It can be visited until 23 December. Monday to Friday, from 16.00 to 20.30. Weekends from 11 am to 8.30 pm.
Conde Duque Cultural Centre
Like every Christmas, this multidisciplinary centre prepares a lot of activities for the activities for children of all ages. Theatre, dance, music and workshops as varied as those dedicated to the circus, architecture, music, literature, art and film. New this year, we will be able to meet The Giant of the Cavalcade, a 7-metre high puppet made of wicker. Its creator, the French artist Benoit Mousserion, invites anyone who wants to help him to build this peculiar character that will accompany the Three Kings Parade on 5 January. Or the Automaton Theatre, a piece from the 19th century, which has been restored and can be visited in the central courtyard.
Tickets for the workshops can be obtained in advance from the website, at the tourist offices in the Plaza Mayor or at the ticket offices of the cultural centre, located at Calle Conde Duque nº 9.
Father Christmas House
Once again, the world's best-known soft drink brand is back for another year. brings Father Christmas House to Madrid. A very special tour that will delight the little ones. They will get to know the Elves' village and how they prepare the presents that Father Christmas will later distribute to houses all over the world. If there is a downside to this activity, it is the very long queues that form at the entrance. So arm yourselves with patience and if you can, take it in turns with the adults, all the better, so that the children don't have to wait for hours. This year it has been installed in the Real Casa de Correos, of the Community of Madrid. It is free and can be visited until 5 January. If you want to know the opening times, take a look at their website, because it changes depending on the day.
Three Kings Parade 2019
And so we come to the most magical night of the year. Children and not so children are waiting to see their wishes fulfilled that they have made to their three majesties: Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar. On the afternoon of 5th January, Madrid fills up with families who come to the Paseo de la Castellana to watch the traditional parade. This year, the Three Wise Men will be accompanied by a spectacle with floats, troupes and performing arts parades such as a giant puppet, dancers from the Pavana theatre and the giant dolls from Transe Express. As a novelty, the Three Wise Men will arrive in Madrid on magical floats loaded with the wishes written by the children and their parents who have passed through the Galería de Cristal of the Cibeles Palace during the festivities. These papers will be illuminated during the parade. Those who wish to come to the end of the parade at the Town Hall will be able to watch a fireworks display to bring this year's Christmas festivities to a close.
If you are interested in the activities that have been organised in the 21 districts of Madrid, you only need to visit the City Council's website, The booklet, where each concert, theatre, puppets, workshops and nativity scenes, among the activities they have prepared, are listed in detail and by district.
You can see more activities in our section with children in Madrid
